Going green isn’t just for people. Dogs as well as dog owners can help protect the environment we all share. With health concerns like cancer and environmental issues such as pollution, climate change, global warming, land degradation, ozone depletion, resource depletion, and waste disposal plaguing the earth, concerned citizens are making the effort to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Many of these concerned citizens are dog owners.
According to the American Pet Product Manufacturers Association, there were 74.8 million dogs listed in the National Pet Owners Survey of 2007-2008. That many dogs can make a significant impact on the environment. It only makes sense that pet owners include their furry family members in lifestyle changes that protect health and the planet we live on. A few tips can have dogs happily going green.
- Have pets spayed or neutered. Pet overpopulation takes up valuable resources and contributes to pollution.
- Adopt pets from a shelter. Those who want a specific breed can find just what they’re looking for at a breed rescue. Do not support breeders or pet stores that get their dogs from puppy mills.
- Pick up after the dog, using paper or biodegradable poop bags. Never use plastic which does not break down in the landfill.
- Feed dogs organic pet food that is free of hormones and chemicals that may be toxic to the canine body.
- Recycle household materials for bedding. Some of the family’s old blankets or towels work well as do old pillow slips stuffed with foam packaging peanuts.
- Pay attention to packaging of pet items. Recycled, biodegradable, or none is best.
- Use shampoos and other grooming products that are free of phosphates, sulfates, and other chemicals that can be harmful to the environment.
- Ask the veterinarian about natural parasite preventative products.
- Buy collars and leashes made from cotton or other natural materials.
- Recycle old socks and pieces of rope and make dog toys.
- Use natural items like baking soda, vinegar, lemon juice, or natural biodegradable soaps to clean up dog messes.
Environmental experts, concerned about toxins, pollution and waste filling our rivers, trees, air, and food, are urging lifestyle changes to conserve the earth’s natural resources.
A few generations ago it was called ‘make do, do without, or do it yourself.' Today it’s called reduce, reuse, and recycle. But whatever catchy label is applied, the earth has a fixed amount of natural resources that must be managed wisely for our health and that of future generations.
Joy Butler - Writer, retired lab tech, mom, and animal lover with over 20 years' experience rescuing, kenneling, training and showing dogs.
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