The Skinny >>

They purr, they slobber and sometimes they even smell. Scratch their bellies and they’ll love you all the more. No, we’re not talking about your significant other; we’re talking about your wonderful, adoring pet(s). Owning a pet is filled with fun and unexpected surprises – remember the time you came home to find the Chocolate Babka half eaten? With two dogs, one cat and a fish named Sebastian I can certainly attest to the fact that it also comes with a lot of responsibility.

When you take your dog for a walk and decide not to clean up after she does her business, you are responsible for part of the water contamination that occurs when the waste gets swept down storm drains. If you use certain types of cat litter containing crystalline silica and sodium bentonite, you are putting yourself as well as your pet(s)’ health at risk for respiratory, allergy and digestive problems. In addition, per Christie Keith on SFGate.com, about 2 million tons of cat litter is sent to the landfill each year, much of which is not biodegradable (e.g. clay litter). Finally, when you feed your pet(s) “conventional pet-food brands” you are often – unintentionally – feeding them food that consists of “reconstituted animal by-products,” made from animals classified as “4-D” (“Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Down (Disabled)”), according to Planet Green.

In short, we are responsible for their carbon “pawprints,” so read on to find out how you can show your furry friend the natural, eco-love he or she truly deserves.

Work It >>

• Clean up after your pooch. Tie a bag around your wrist, put one in your pocket or tote it in your backpack. Do whatever you have to do to make sure you’re prepared when your pet pooch does his/her thing. Get our full scoop on dog poop here.

• Use biodegradable dog poop bags, such as BioBags. Some friendly advice: if you have more than one dog – especially big dogs – make sure to purchase the Large BioBag Waste Bag.

• Make your own kitty litter using old newspapers, used computer paper and pesky junk mail. Lay several sheets of whole paper on the bottom of your cat’s litter box and cover with a hefty amount of shredded paper.

• Why waste time (and gas) driving to the doggy park when you can just walk outside your front door for a quick stroll? Trust us, your pet dog, cat, pot bellied pig (yes, people do walk their pot bellied pigs – I’ve seen it!) will be so happy to be outside and running around that he/she won’t care where you are.

• Trying to bathe your pet can be a very messy process (think dirt, hair and water everywhere). Don’t make a bigger mess by polluting the earth with chemicals and toxins too. Instead, choose a gentle, non-toxic, biodegradable shampoo and conditioner.

• You eat healthy, so why shouldn’t your pet?  Opt for pet foods that are organic or whip up a delish treat that both you and your pet can enjoy!

Earn Your Stripes >>

When you purchase your pet’s toys, more often than not they’ve been shipped from other states, countries and even continents and are made from unsustainable, toxic materials. There is also a ton of packaging involved in wrapping and shipping these products. Show your four-legged friend you care about him/her as well as the environment with these do it yourself pet toys: a fleece rope dog toy for your playful pooch; a cardboard cat playhouse for your deserving cat; or old toilet paper rolls as tunnels for your hamster to run through and take shelter in.

Image via “Paws for thought” and Freebird4

Related Content >>

• Wild Sightings: A Trip to Culver City’s Star Eco Station

• Great Green Gifts for Pets

• The Top Five Benefits of Natural Organic Pet Food for Your Dog

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