Do Your Part: Be kind to animals, environment
Anyone who knows me knows I love animals. Over the years I’ve had cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. Add in a few lizards, countless fish and even a few frogs and you can see why my house is called “the zoo.”
My pets are like family so I am always mindful of the products that I buy to care for them. Since the dogs and cats get free run of the house, I’m even more careful about the chemicals used in their products.
Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to find eco-friendly alternatives that will reduce your exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals and are equally effective.
Flea and tick treatment is the most obvious place to start. Collars, sprays and topical applications are often made with dangerous pesticides that can rub off on humans. Oral flea treatments for dogs and cats are the safer alternative.
If you notice fleas, wash bedding in hot soapy water and vacuum the home weekly to remove eggs and larvae. Use a powder or shampoo with all-natural diatomaceous earth to kill existing fleas on pets.
You can control flea populations in your yard and garden with microscopic worms called nematodes. Look for them at garden centers.
Dog shampoo is another place where potentially dangerous chemicals are lurking. Some shampoos are made from petroleum-based ingredients and are known to actually irritate skin, create rashes and cause cancer.
Over years, those toxins can get absorbed into your pet’s skin – and into the skin of the person doing the dog washing. Then they go right down the drain, polluting the water supply.
A much better choice is biodegradable shampoos free from coloring, preservatives or fragrances. Who wants their dog smelling like vanilla anyway?
For the felines it’s all about the kitty litter. Avoid using clay-based clumping cat litter that contains sodium betonite; tiny silica dust particles can cause lung disease or worse in humans and respiratory or digestive problems in cats.
There are many other options that are better for you, your cat and the planet. Litters made from used newspapers, reclaimed wood chips or even whole kernel corn are easy to find.
If you need help battling odor you can add a layer of baking soda to the bottom of the litter pan before filling. It’s inexpensive and nontoxic.
Baking soda is also great for removing pet odors around the home. You can freshen up carpets or pet bedding by sprinkling a little on and letting it set for 15 minutes before vacuuming.
And when the inevitable accident happens, reach for nontoxic vinegar to clean up the mess. It’s a natural disinfectant that’s pennies on the dollar compared to other cleaners.
Do your part and make smarter choices when buying products for your four-legged friends. You’ll be keeping potentially toxic materials away from your pets, your family and our environment.