Going Green With Pets

As you contemplate "greening" your family, don't forget to include your pets in the effort. There are a number of things you can do that are both friendly to the environment and friendly to your pets. Consider the following:

• Reduce the use of lawn chemicals - you can have a beautiful lawn without using toxic chemicals. Whether you cut your grass yourself or use a landscaping service, consider growing your grass longer. While longer grass helps to hide any ugly spots, longer grass also means longer roots which help to get more water and nutrients from the soil. And longer, thicker grass acts as a natural foe to weeds. When you do mow, leave the clippings on the lawn - clippings decompose and provide nitrogen to the soil which is a main ingredient of fertilizer.
  
   
• Set up an area in your garden that is pet friendly - one recommendation for ground cover is to use some pavers or bluestone for existing dog paths. Keep the more delicate plants off the ground by planting them in tall pots. Or use a good, loose type of pebble in an area that is fenced and can be washed down or sanitized with one of the green cleaning agents on the market. If possible, include a drain and run off. And while you want diversity in your landscaping, ensure that there are no poisonous plants accessible to your pets. There are a number of common landscape plants that contain at least some parts (berries, leaves, etc.) that are poisonous. The list of plants that can make your pet sick is surprising and includes such plants as foxglove, wisteria vines, castor beans, and oleander.
  
   
• Buy pet toys and products that are made from recycled or natural materials - you can purchase pet beds made from recycled plastic bottles with covers made from other recycled materials. Or select beds made from organic or recycled cotton. You can purchase leashes and collars made from hemp instead of plastics. Or better yet, make your own pet supplies and toys. One of our cat?s favorite toys is an old cotton sock filled with high potency cat nip or cat mint.
  
   
• Use non-toxic household cleaning products - there are many products on the market whose ingredients include plants, essential oils and herbs. In addition to being safe for your pets, these products are biodegradable so they are also safe for the environment. Or use products that you already have at home. Baking soda is a tried and true remedy for removing odors from your refrigerator. You can also use it along with castile soap to clean your kitchen cabinets, countertops and floors. You can use vinegar to clean your bathroom sink, floor tile or wall tile or use it to clean glass or linoleum floors.
  
   
• Waste not, want not - get rid of litter for your cat and consider using a self-flushing, self-washing cat box. Litter can include silica dust and other clumping agents which some think can lead to health issues for your cat. And avoid litter that is made with clay, a material that is strip mined. Some companies offer a system similar to a septic tank which is an in-ground waste disposal system that uses bacteria and enzymes to turn pet waste into liquid. And you can buy litter pans made from paper so that they decompose naturally. At a minimum, pick up after your pet and use biodegradable bags instead of plastic ones.
   

These are just a few suggestions to consider as you and your family provide a safe and comfortable home for your pets that is also "environmentally responsible".