When you think about it, giving your dog—an animal who’s instincts would have him eating and exposed to only what nature made available—toys that are made from synthetic materials and harsh chemicals seems a bit contrary to their nature. Sort of like giving your dog treats laden with food dye and artificial flavorings so they resemble chocolate chip cookies in smell and appearance. It may seem cute and appealing to you, but what dogs really need are natural items that won’t harm their systems, which are designed to function with what they would get in the wild. Since you’re the leader of the pack, however, it’s up to you to bring home items that are safe and natural instead of suspicious and synthetic (like certified organic dog treats with only natural ingredients).

For dog toys, we’re loving the certified-organic hemp dog toys from Simply Fido. These toys make use of a resource that’s sustainable to begin with (hemp) and add extra eco-points by growing it organically and keeping chemicals out of the picture. The resulting toys are 100% non-toxic; even the dye used to color them is natural and made from things like cloves and gardenia seeds. They’re also shipped in handmade boxes crafted from recycled materials. And while you might anticipate that certified-organic hemp would make these dog toys un-affordable, they’re actually pretty competitive to conventional dog toys at $8.59 each. Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Nobody likes fleas–dogs, cats or humans–but if you turn to common flea collars to solve the problem you’re putting your pets, yourself and your children at risk. These collars expose you to carcinogens at levels 1000 times greater than the EPA’s acceptable limit for children and 500 times the limit for adults. That’s not something to take lightly.

Now the Natural Resources Defense Council is asking the Environmental Protection Agency to remove propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos (both of which pose serious cancer and neurological risks) from pet products after releasing a study that found high levels of both toxic chemicals on pet fur after wearing ordinary pet collars. In the meantime, stop using flea collars and start relying on flea-fighting alternatives. These eco products can keep the buggers at bay, too.

Combing: You can help reduce fleas by combing your pet’s fur regularly. Bamboo Care’s cat grooming set comes with a palm-sized flea comb that’ll help you remove fleas and their eggs. If you find fleas in the comb, drown them in soap and water.  Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Furry, adorable little Fido couldn’t be making much of an impact on the environment could he? Well, dog fanatics might not want to think about all the plastic doggy poo bags going in the garbage, heavy dog food that’s getting shipped at a high carbon cost (and it often has lots of additives) and dog toys made of plastic. But a few smart eco products can help reduce your pup’s carbon pawprint.

Choose a leash that’s made from eco-friendly materials like a hemp Planet Dog leash. Hemp has a short growth cycle of only 100-120 days, which means it’s highly renewable and can be harvested more often than traditional fibers. Play fetch with West Paw Designs’ Hurley, a non-toxic, latex-free, recyclable bone that was manufactured with virtually zero waste. And reward your pooch with a 100% Certified Organic biscuit treat from Wagatha’s.

Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™

Dogs love their toys. In fact, if you don’t provide ample toys for their amusement, you’ll find they can make just about anything into a fun toy–the side of the sofa, your leather shoe…the cat. It’s worth it to get the toys; not only do they keep your dog entertained, but they also keep him or her active and learning, which are two hugely important elements of a dog’s happiness. Before you buy bunches of dog toys for your pup, however, there’s a few things to consider. For one thing, many dog toys are made from potentially hazardous materials, like vinyl, which has been linked to all kinds of health problems, and, if the toy comes from outside the US, there’s the potential inclusion of lead. Hardly things you’d want to feed your best friend (and you know they chew on everything). Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™

OBLI Organics is a company all about family, and they’re including Mother Earth in that lineage. Created by two sisters–who were inspired by three children and two dogs–OBLI Organics was started to provide an outlet for them to work together at something that really mattered. What could be better, they decided, than clothing for their little loved ones (both kids and canines) that promoted an environmentally conscious message.

They craft their goods from 100% certified organic resources and utilize Fair Trade practices. This means kid’s tees, onesies, pants and dog jackets made from organic cotton and non-PVC screen printing. Tags are printed on Neenah environment paper with soy ink. Logo stickers are made from recycled paper and dissolve completely in water. Gift boxes are made from 100% recycled materials. The list goes on, but doesn’t stop at the office–both have made green decisions in their personal lives, doing things like driving hybrids and shopping locally (you can check out their tips for Ecolectual living on their site). Click here to read more

Powered by Bookmarkify™