This guest post is brought to you be Dog Fence DIY’s staff veterinarian Dr. Susan Wright. Dog Fence DIY will help you choose the right system for you and your pet, help you install it, and help train your pet to use the new system. Dog Fence DIY has a variety of underground fence wire systems at the best available prices.
These days, it’s very important to do whatever we can to care for our environment. Our dogs can do their part in going green too!
1. Reduce
When you’re choosing toys for your dog, make sure you choose those with the least amount of packaging. Your dog doesn’t care about pretty wrapping or colorful tags, so the less plastic and paper to dispose of, the better.
Is it time to buy another bag of dog food? You can also reduce the amount of wasted packaging by buying dog food bulk. On a similar note, feeding him a high quality, highly digestible food will mean you need less food, again reducing the packaging that comes with it.
2. Reuse
Old towels and worn blankets can be sewn into comfortable and warm bedding for your dog. This keeps the linens from being turned into landfill. Old rope can be plaited and turned into tug toys. Your dog doesn’t mind that they’re not brand new, he’ll just love the fact that you’re playing with him.
3. Recycle.
If you’re out walking and you stop to pick up your dog’s droppings, make sure you use a biodegradable plastic bag. Some plastic bags last for a long time in landfill. Choose a bag that breaks down within a month or two, and you’re not contributing to the amount of plastic waste that has to be disposed of.
When you choose your dog products, keep an eye out for recycled choices. For example, many dog beds are stuffed with recycled materials, and these are very comfortable for your dog, while reducing waste. Sometimes you can find dog collars and leashes made from recycled hemp or cotton, and they’re just as good as those made from unrecycled materials.
If you want to take recycling as far as you can, then choose your next dog from an animal shelter.
Another way of considering the environment is avoiding chemicals that may make their way into our waterways. If you reduce the frequency of your dog’s baths, his skin and coat are less likely to be dry and itchy. If you do want to wash your dog, choose a shampoo that’s free of phosphates or sulfites.
It might be possible to use a more natural parasite control, such as neem oil or tea tree oil for flea control. However, don’t gamble with your dog’s health, making sure that you use a reliable product to control potentially deadly parasites. This is especially true for ticks and heartworms.
It doesn’t take much effort to choose dog products that have less of an impact on the environment, and it won’t make any difference to your dog. The next time you purchase anything for your dog, stop and consider some environmentally friendly alternatives.
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