1 POOP
Poop is gross. We all know that, but all good dog owners have gotten over the grossness at least enough to pick up after their dog. I am going to assume that all of you are good dog owners and pick-up after your pet. What are you using to clean up the poo?
Using biodegradable poop bags while attending to the unpleasant chore is a good way to be a little more environmentally friendly. Think about it… Once you pick up your dog’s poop and throw it in the trash bin, it’s not over. Rover’s poo travels on a path to a landfill along with the receptacle in which it’s contained. Information from The Humane Society of the United States website indicated that according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association (APPMA) 2007-2008 Survey, there are around 74.8 million owned dogs in the United States. Lets say that each dog poops twice a day that would add up to 149.6 million bags a day or 54.6 trillion bags a year. I know I may have calculated these numbers high because not everyone uses one bag per dog per poo drop. Cut the numbers in half and they are still high, way too high.
Using a biodegradable bag will help shorten the lifespan that the poop and the bag have at the landfill. It’s an easy step to take!
2 PLAY
It’s not just you that can benefit from the purchase of sustainable products. Your dog can too! Be a little gentler on the environment and potentially your dog’s health by purchasing dog toys that sustainable.
There are many toys on the market today that are made from recycled, recyclable, natural and/or organic material. To top it all off, many of the products are really cute! Look for natural and organic materials like hemp or organic cotton. Also better for the environment over traditional dog toys are those made from recycled or recyclable materials. Some toys out there even have a “dog damage” guarantee. If the toy is destroyed by your dog you send it back and get a new one. The manufacture uses the returned toys to make new ones. Now that’s chic sustainable!
3 SLEEP
Your pup deserves a comfortable place to relax and take it easy. Why not make that cozy place a dog bed that is made from organic fabric and is stuffed with material made from recycled plastic soda bottles. You understood me correctly… made from recycled plastic soda bottles. The larger beds are made from over 40 plastic bottles. You can divert over 40 plastic bottles from landfills by just giving Fido a comfy place to sleep.
If you don’t want to put out the money for a new dog bed, think about making one of your own from old bedding or other soft materials. You may be creative and just not know it. Face it, creative or not your dog will love it and you just the same.
4 GROOM
Many grooming products are made from harsh and harmful chemicals. The chemicals can harm both you and your dog. Avoid phosphates, sulfates and perfumed sprays. Make sure that you look both at the products you purchase and those being used by your groomer. Any good groomer will be open to your questions and will have alternatives that meet your environmental request.
Shop for high quality grooming supplies that are made with natural materials and are non-toxic. They are all around and you will find the right one and fall in love. Ahhh!
5 CLEAN
If your dog is like mine, they follow you everywhere in the house. That is a lot of floor surface that they cover. For that reason, we have to watch the household cleaning supplies that we use. Not just on the floor, but all surfaces in the house. Many of the chemicals in standard cleaning supplies can poision dogs or cause health problems over extended exposure.
Help you dog and the environment by using eco-friendly household cleaners. All natural cleaning products are free from toxic chemicals and are safe for the environment. Be a label reader and get educated on what you use to clean your house. You’ll be happy that you did and there won’t be as much need to worry about what is being eaten off the floor.
6 STYLE
Every sidewalk is a runway! Style is important. So, let your dog make a fashion statement! Dress them in green fashion. From sweaters made of reclaimed cotton to collars made from sustainable plants, there is a fashion revolution going on in the world of dog fashion.
You’ll find hip collars, leaches and harnesses made from natural materials like organic cotton and hemp. Both stylish and durable your pooch will look awesome. Also look for the trend of dog accessories being made from re-purposed materials… think of your dad’s old tie made out to be really hip.
Shopping for green dog fashion can be fun. Many happy walks!
7 SNIP
Have your dog spayed or neutered! By doing so you won’t have to worry about littering the world with unwanted animals. The shelters are full of great pets looking for caring homes and many of them are at capacity. We need to avoid have more homeless dogs. If your dog is already spayed for neutered encourage others to do the same.
An added benefit is the World will have less dog poop to worry about. Did you see the post for week 1? There is a lot of dog poo going into our landfills.
8 YARD
If you have a yard I’m sure that it is one of your dog’s favorite places. They spend a lot of time in the grass sniffing the perimeter, chasing balls and doing their business. The yard needs to be a safe place! Use natural lawn care products and avoid items that have harmful pesticides or herbicides.
In the winter use a safe ice remover. Dogs may accidentally ingest the product that you are using. Do a little research and select a product that will not cause a health issues.
I know it will take some research time, but it will be worth it in the long run. Your dog will love you for it!
9 EAT
Feed your dog natural and organic dog food. Just like the food that you get from the farmer’s market your dog’s food should be high-quality. Ensure that it is void of growth hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, artificial ingredients and genetically engineered ingredients. There is a lot of nasty stuff that goes into common dog food and some of it has been marked as unfit for human consumption. Do you really want to feed that to your dog?
Look for dog food and dog treats that are all natural or organic. Look for meat ingredents that were raised in a healthy and sustainable environment. Feeding your dog natural and organic food is good for their health and they’ll love it!
10 ADOPT
We think adopting a dog is one of the best things that you can do to help the environment. Making the World a better place by showing kindness and compassion to an unwanted, but loving dog brings great karma into ones life. It will change your life and the life of the special animal that you add to your home.
If you are willing to take on the responsibility and are ready to adopt, contact a reputable local shelter to get more information. The Recycled Retriever has spotlighted a few shelters in our blog and there are many more shelters who’s mission it is to find safe and happy home for deserving dogs.
