Dog Tip #3: Go Green

With the growing trend of families and businesses "Going Green", why not give it a try yourself? These simple steps will turn your household into an all-natural haven, making it pet-safe and environmentally friendly.

1. Use a safe, non-toxic house cleaner.
All too often I see news articles on pets that have suffered from health complications due to seemingly safe household cleaners. While many people don't realize it, indoor pets spend a lot of time on the floors and around surfaces where harmful chemicals are used to clean. If food falls out of their bowl, they eat if off the floor. They pick their toys up off the floor. They lick up the crumbs that you drop while making dinner. It should just be assumed that at some point, your pet is going to come in contact with the floor, so make sure that it's safe and not cleaned with chemicals. A safe alternative to toxic house cleaners (such as the popular Swiffer Wet Jet) is straight or diluted white vinegar. White vinegar still acts as a disinfectant, while remaining non-toxic for your furry friend.

Pets also come in contact with windows, tables, and the toilet bowl. The white vinegar can be used the same way for all three of these. If you find that white vinegar isn't doing the trick, some recommended pet-friendly cleaners are Seaside Naturals, ECOS, Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyers, and J.R. Watkins. All of these brands can be found either in stores or online.

2. Choose safe flea and tick meds.
Much like the household cleaners, popular brands of flea meds have harmful chemicals. Medications such as Frontline even warn against getting the chemical on your own skin, since it can be harmful. So, why put it on your pet? One of the leading pet-friendly sites on the web, www.onlynaturalpet.com offers natural, effective ways to treat fleas and ticks. From non-toxic flea spray to garlic treats, they carry a wide range of anti-chemical alternatives to protect your pet.

　
3. Recycle.
Many pet-related items can be recycled, although they are often discarded in the regular garbage. Pet foods that come in metal, paper, or plastic containers can all be recycled with other household things.

　
4. Pick up your dog's waste.
I know that this seems like a no-brainer, but it is especially important to pick up dog waste before it rains. If it's left to sit, it could become part of the runoff that travels back into lakes and streams during a storm. This means that fecal bacteria could contaminate fresh water that is used for swimming, fishing, and even drinking. To keep wildlife and people from life-threatening bacteria such as E.Coli, make sure to pick up your dog's waste regularly, and especially before a storm.

　

While there are many things you can do to "Go Green", these few pet-related tips can help improve not only your pet's life, but also the environment. Feel safer, and be safer!