Nutrition
Bargain hunters beware; most conventional pet foods are made up of waste material from the beef and poultry industry. If it doesn’t say FDA Certified, you’re probably feeding your pet 4-D classified meat, meaning it was “dead, dying, diseased or disabled” upon admission to the slaughterhouse. Here’s what to look for:
- Buy food that says FDA Certified on the label
- Buy organic pet foods: these must meet USDA standards and contain hormone, antibiotic and pesticide-free ingredients.
- A label reading “Natural” could mean anything. Read the label carefully and decide for yourself.
Pooper Scoopers
- Cats – Look for non-clumping litters like plant-based wheat, alfalfa, oat or corn hulls. Conventional cat litter with “clumping” agents can swell internally and poison your cat and has sediment saturated with silica dust that is a known carcinogen.
- Dogs – Use biodegradable poop bags and put them straight in the trash can (not a trash bag) so they can break down in the landfill. Stop using plastic grocery bags which leach chemicals as they sit in the landfill. Recycle those plastic grocery bags at your local grocery store instead.
Cleaners
Find gentle cleaners at your local health food store. Be sure to read the label before purchase and avoid washing your pet with shampoos and conditioners that have harsh chemical ingredients.
Playing and Sleeping
Pets spend a lot of time sleeping and playing, so make their beds and toys eco-friendly, safe and natural. You can find an array of items from hemp collars and leashes to organic cotton chew toys.
Buy Pets Responsibly
Buy pets from a friend, shelter or reliable breeder. Avoid buying from puppy mills, often accused of over breeding, inbreeding and poor living conditions.
