Doggy Mentor

Posts Tagged ‘eco friendly dog toys’

Probably everyone knows what it means to “go green.” You can “go green” even if you don’t believe in global warming.  Going green is actually beneficial to your health by using less chemicals that harm your body.Recycling helps reduce the amount of garbage that ends up in landfills.  Natural cleaners are safer and healthier for us and our pets.Today, even your dog can go green.  Here’s how:

1. Eco-friendly dog beds.

Natural and/or recycled materials are now used by some companies who manufacture eco-friendly dog beds.Some companies use a natural material called hemp.  It is a plant that can be harvested for its fibers and utilized to make a number of things, including clothing and dog beds. Hemp has been used for centuries. It is a hardy plant that grows in near drought conditions, doesn’t require pesticides and, once picked, is almost instantly replenished. Organic cotton is another natural material used to make eco-friendly dog beds. Organic means not using pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the growing process.

A somewhat unusual material used to make dog beds is recycled plastic soda bottles. After the bottles are stripped of their caps and labels, they are then cleaned and disinfected.  The process then continues as the bottles are chopped into flakes, melted, liquefied and then re-engineered into fibers that are used in fiber fill and fabrics. This process uses up to 8 times less energy than it does to manufacture the same material new.

You can see how buying eco-friendly dog beds can be beneficial to the environment, which, in turn, is beneficial to you and your dog, by using non-toxic natural resources, keeping garbage out of landfills and using less energy to produce a new dog bed than starting from scratch. Because many eco-friendly dog beds are made from high-quality materials, they are very durable and, therefore, last longer, saving you money in the long term. And just because they’re eco friendly doesn’t mean they’re ugly or uncomfortable. There are many different styles and eye-popping colors to choose from, some with extra padding, and some of them can be customized, allowing you to choose one color or pattern for the bed and another color or pattern for the inside cushion. 

2. Eco-friendly dog toys.

Playing is something most dogs love to do and having toys helps keep them occupied.Why not help your dog go green by buying him eco-friendly dog toys? Dogs who are not aggressive chewers might enjoy a plush dog toy that’s made with eco-friendly fabric and stuffed with fiber fill made from recycled plastic bottles. Just like eco-friendly dog beds, the dog toys also come in modern designs and eye-catching colors. If your dog is an aggressive chewer, you may want a more durable “guaranteed tough” dog toy, which is designed to be recyclable and to create virtually no waste during the manufacturing process. “Guaranteed” means, if your dog inflicts doggy damage to the toy, the manufacturer will replace it for free or give you your money back. The manufacturer then puts the damaged toys back into the recycling process.

3. Eco-friendly dog clothes.

Eco-friendly dog sweaters and jackets are now available for those dogs who are flashy dressers and want to “go green.” You can find dog sweaters made from reclaimed cotton.  The manufacturer for this type of sweater uses the small scraps from T-shirts or other cotton garments that are not useful for anything else and would end up in an incinerator. They are cleaned and separated into raw fibers and then blended with a small amount of acrylic to make the dog sweaters. Beautiful colors and patterns are created by carefully mixing the fibers. Using this method saves the earth from more chemicals because new cotton doesn’t have to be dyed or grown, also saving water and farmland.

Made from 100% recycled polyester, eco-friendly dog jackets are also recyclable if they’re no longer being used.

4. Natural remedies.

Many dog products, including those that get rid of fleas and ticks are toxic, not only for your dog but also for you and the environment. Herbs, vinegar, some essential oils and other natural remedies can be used to keep away the fleas and ticks. You can make your own flea and tick treatments using “recipes” you can find online or you can purchase products that contain natural, non-toxic ingredients, either at a health food store or online.  Homeopathic remedies are also available for dogs, and those also can be found online or in most health food stores.Your dog’s health (and yours too) will benefit from exposing him to less toxins.Anything that goes on your dog’s skin also goes into your dog’s system and in yours if you handle your dog.

These are just some of the ways to help your dog go green, be healthy, save you money and help the environment.  Has your dog gone green yet?