The following article was supplied by All Pet Furniture. Contact All Pet Furniture directly!
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With dire reports on the state of the environment, people are becoming more and more cognizant of what they consume and purchase and are looking for alternatives that might be more earth friendly. Fortunately, it is becoming easier by the way to purchase “green” products as companies are finding inexpensive and less wasteful ways to manufacture their products. Dog product manufacturers are no different in this regard, and there are far more ways for your dog to reduce his/her carbon “pawprint” then there were a few years ago. Customers can now find many eco-friendly options, whether they are looking for a dog bed or a toy to play with. In this article, we’ll take a look at some eco-friendly trends that are worth considering.
Eating
The debate over what we should be feeding our dogs is full of complexities and controversies, and we’ll only touch upon some of the more general factors to consider when buying dog food. The best rule of thumb when it comes to feeding your pet naturally is the same one that applies to humans: if you read the label and don’t recognize any of the ingredients, then move on. Like human food, a lot of dog food contains artificial compounds and chemicals that are unhealthy and are also bad for the environment, as more energy is needed to create the chemicals that go into preservatives and additives. In general, this means cutting out most mainstream brands, as they usually include additives along with animal by-products and gluten products and instead focusing on foods that are certified organic. Although this is more expensive it is the best option not only for your environment but also for your dog’s health, as dogs can be allergic to some additives and preservatives.
Playing
The dog toy industry has at times been in trouble the past couple of years. Millions of chew toys had to be recalled in 2007 due to elevated lead levels, while last year one of Four Paws’ pimple paws had to be recalled after a design flaw caused a dog’s tongue to be amputated. So it goes without saying that finding a simple, eco-friendly toy is safer for the dog and the environment.
The good news is that there are plenty of simple, nontoxic toys that your dog will enjoy. West Paw Designs uses a fiber made from recycled plastic products in their plush toys, which works well since it is nontoxic and hypoallergenic with maximum “chewability” so it should also keep your pup occupied for hours on end.
West Paw also makes recyclable, nontoxic fetch toys as well by using Zogoflex technology. Zogoflex is a durable, flexible material made of recycled byproducts. It is pet-safe and will last you a long time. In fact West Paw even has a lifetime guarantee so if your pooch manages to somehow break the toy with its “Jaws of Life” then you can get a replacement or a full refund. Zogoflex can be found in Frisbee, chew toy, and bone form and is available in a variety of stores for under $20, a good investment for hours of safe, eco-friendly fun!
We only touched upon a few things you can do to help the environment while ensuring a high quality of life for your pooch. While “going green” might not be the most important thing on people’s minds, it’s always good to do what you can, and what better place to start than with your dog?
All content in this article was supplied by All Pet Furniture. Contact All Pet Furniture directly!
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