How to Offset Your Pet

A medium-sized dog has the same environmental impact as a Toyota Land Cruiser driven 6,000 miles a year-while a cat is equivalent to a Volkswagen Golf-claims New Zealanders Robert and Brenda Vale in their new book: "Time to Eat the Dog: The Real Guide to Sustainable Living." The authors let hamsters off a little easier, though-they say that a pair of these little guys only does the same damage as a plasma television. I know, by this point you're already thinking, "Do what?"

But don't let the title and these "findings" scare ya-it simply means that our four-legged family members inhabit the Earth with us-and can do their part (with a little help from us) to lessen their environmental impact. Here are some ways to help our dogs and cats decrease their "carbon pawprints."

1 Use biodegradable bags to scoop up your dog's poop and biodegradable liners for your cat's litter box. And be sure to purchase plant-based cat litter such as wheat, pine or paper rather than the clumping clay-based kind, which is strip-mined and bad for the earth. Clay litter also tends to contain chemicals that can harm the environment, not to mention your kitty. Also, make sure the packaging is either made from paper or recyclable plastic.

* If you're a more hardcore environmentalist, you might also consider composting the waste, but you'll need to study up on how to do it responsibly.

2 Feed natural or organic pet foods, which are minimally processed and preserved with natural rather than artificial ingredients and harmful additives. Organic pet foods are also free of hormones, antibiotics, pesticides and genetically engineered ingredients.

If you decide to feed your pet a homemade diet (very commendable), try to purchase locally produced ingredients including fruits and vegetables. This will cut down on the fuel required to ship your pet's food.

Some other things to consider for lessening your pet's environmental impact: a vegetarian diet for your dog or cutting out fish from your cat's diet. Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance, for instance, offers a vegetarian formula that is suitable for pets with beef, chicken and grain allergies, plus a lot of dogs seem to enjoy it. (If you're wondering whether going meat-free is healthy for dogs, a border collie in Britain actually lived to be 27 on a vegan diet!) If you feed your cat a fish-based food, consider replacing it with another meat source or alternating. Pets represent a threat to fish stocks, and thus the world food supply. Feeding fish also increases your cat's exposure to mercury, and believe it or not, is considered a high-allergy food for cats.

3 Purchase pet toys and supplies such as leashes and collars made from recycled or natural ingredients such as hemp. Thrift stores are great places to find recycled pet toys and supplies. Making your own toys from old socks and ropes and beds out of old blankets and towels may be even better. Plus, toys and bedding you purchase may contain harmful chemicals.

4 Select natural shampoos and grooming products that are free of phosphates and chemicals, which are better for your pet and the water supply. You might also purchase natural rather than chemical flea and tick repellants or try preparing your own.

5 Purchase eco-friendly, naturally derived products to clean up after your pet. Natural enzyme stain and odor removers such as Nature's Miracle or Folex are effective and safe if your pet has an accident. You can also make your own cleaning products for less serious "spills."

6 Keep your pet indoors for the most part, except to go out for some fresh air and exercise. And never allow your pet to wander around in the streets unless supervised by you. Indoor pets will leave a smaller carbon pawprint-plus, they tend to live longer because they are safer overall.

7 Spay or neuter your pet. Pet overpopulation is an ongoing crisis in the United States with approximately 6 to 8 million innocent pets ending up in shelters each year with only about 1 in 4 finding permanent homes. Aside from those pets, there are also thousands roaming around as strays.

8 Adopt instead of shop. With all of the homeless, unwanted animals filling up our shelters and ending up destroyed, there is seldom ever a reason to buy a pet from a breeder, and certainly never from a pet store (pet stores for the most part obtain their dogs from inhumane puppy mills). If it's a purebred dog or cat you are after, approximately one in three pets at shelters are purebreds, plus there are breed-specific dog rescues and purebred cat rescues to find the type of pet you are looking for.

Source: Net