Animal Wellness Magazine Eco-friendly dog and cat care

Check out simple, practical tips for sustainable dog and cat care, from healthier foods and natural flea control to eco-friendly toys, bedding, and household choices.​

Eco-friendly dog and cat care is about making thoughtful choices that support your animals’ health while reducing environmental impact. From safer food and natural flea control to sustainable toys, bedding, and household products, small changes can benefit your human and animal family — and the planet. Let’s dive into a few practical choices.

1. Avoid plastic products whenever possible ​

Try to avoid buying plastic products, from toys to food bowls. Plastics and the chemicals associated with them can disrupt bodily functions. In addition to cancer and reproductive issues, plastics can contribute to neurological disorders. These include behavior problems such as aggression, anxiety and impaired memory.

Flag it: Microplastics and nanoplastics, the tiny fragments created when larger plastic items break down, now contaminate nearly every environment. They’re even in our bodies, and those of our dogs and cats. These wee plastic pieces are a major contributor to inflammation.

“Made from recycled plastic” toys, clothing, etc. may seem an earth-friendly option. But these products still retain toxic chemicals. Opt instead for toys and accessories made from natural materials like hemp. Use stainless steel bowls for water and food.

2. Make healthy, sustainable pet food choices ​

How farms raise meat and produce affects the health of your dog or cat, and the environment. A recent review of over 300 studies showed that an organic diet offers 17% to 60% higher levels of antioxidants. Organic food also contains four times fewer pesticides.

When buying food for your dog or cat, look for high-quality products that feature:

• Local ingredients that companies don’t ship thousands of miles
• Humanely and cleanly raised meat sources
• Minimal processing
• Less packaging, or more environmentally friendly packaging
• Raw or lightly cooked ingredients.

Here are some more suggestions to consider:

• Try growing some of your own veggies or herbs. You can do this even on an apartment balcony.

• Buy local from farms/markets or fresh food companies; ask how their products are grown or raised.

• Can’t access or afford organic produce? Refer to the Environmental Working Group’s recommendations of common non-organic fruits and vegetables with the highest and lowest chemical loads (see sidebar on page xx). Choose produce with the least pesticide residues.

Flag it: A lot of people feed their animals blueberries for their antioxidant effects. Yet non-organic blueberries are on the dirty dozen list. Look for wild-picked blueberries rather than those that are commercially grown.

• Don’t stress! Feed your dog or cat the same quality food you give your family, even just a few times a week.

3. Opt for alternative healthcare options whenever possible​

• Work with an integrative or holistic veterinarian to avoid over-vaccination. They’ll also help you minimize the use of conventional medications. This is healthier for your animal and the environment. It also helps cut down on the number of syringes, containers, etc. that end up in hazardous waste.
• Avoid chemicals for repelling fleas and ticks. They’re toxic to dogs and cats, and bad for the environment. Healthy animals rarely get fleas. Repellents made from high-quality essential oils effectively keep these pests at bay. Invest in a flea comb (with a non-plastic handle!) and do a tick check after every outing.
• Hands-on and energy healing techniques, done with love and intention, can help the environment as well as your animal. They include massage, acupressure, Reiki, T-Touch, Tui Na, etc.
• Other treatments with a lower environmental footprint include homeopathic medicines, vibrational essences, and herbal medicine. Veterinary homeopaths, chiropractors, osteopaths and acupuncturists can enhance an animal’s health so conventional medications may not be needed.

4. Take a look at your house and yard ​

The chemicals we use in our homes and yards adversely affect animals, people, and the planet. Switch to non-toxic household cleaners and pest treatments, non-VOC paints, natural fibers, and filtering devices for drinking water and indoor air.

Flag it: Lawns are a big drain on the planet. Which is healthier – an expanse of grass (a monoculture), or land covered with herbs and non-toxic plants? A naturalized yard means minimal watering, no mowing, and no fertilizers or pesticides. It also provides habitat for birds, insects and other critters.

Apply nematodes applied once a year for environmentally friendly outdoor flea and tick control.

Eco-friendly dog and cat care means making thoughtful choices to support your animal’s health while reducing environmental impact. From selecting sustainable products to minimizing waste and supporting ethical brands, even small changes make a difference. Release the pressure to be perfect. A great mantra is to buy less, buy better, and reuse.

By becoming a more conscious animal parent, you help create a healthier future for your human family, your dog or cat, and the planet.

More earth-friendly pet care tips ​

• Make your own dog and cat toys. For example, you can create snuffle mats out of old fabric. Fashion pull toys from rope or old t-shirts. For cats, make a feather teaser or provide cardboard boxes for them to play in.
• Look for bedding made from hemp and other natural fabrics, and companies that promote sustainability. Reuse old pillows and blankets from you own bedding for your dog or cat.
• Always pick up after your dog and dispose of his waste responsibly. Keep in mind that even compostable poop bags may contain microplastics and do not degrade well. So don’t leave them in the environment. Another option is to buy or make a dog/cat poop composter. You can use the compost on non-edible plants.
• Choose an eco-friendly cat litter. Ask the company about sourcing.

Why it’s important to choose organic fruits and veggies ​

The Environmental Working Group recently analyzed 47 non-organic fruits and vegetables for their chemical content. Here are the results:

Least chemicals: Pineapples, sweet corn (fresh and frozen), avocados, papaya, sweet peas (frozen), asparagus, cabbage, cauliflower, watermelon, mangoes, bananas, carrots, mushrooms, kiwi fruit

Most chemicals: Spinach, kale, collard and mustard greens, strawberries, nectarines, peaches, cherries, apples, blackberries, pears, potatoes, commercial blueberries

Fruits and vegetables such as kale, spinach, apples, and blueberries are rich in antioxidants and other nutrients. But does their high chemical load mean you should avoid them entirely? The answer is no – just look for organic options to avoid the pesticide load.

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