Going green? How can your dog help?
Between electric cars and recycling centres, many of us feel as though we should be making the effort to go green. Here at Animal Friends we understand it can be difficult to know exactly how to do this, so we’ve devised a way that can help you go green AND keep your dog healthy. All you need to do is follow these few simple steps.
What’s in the food?
Many items in the food market may not be exactly what they say. Many of the processes involved in making modern dog foods can involve chemicals and additives that are both bad for your dog and the environment. Check the label next time you pick up some treats, and be careful when buying any kind of processed foods.
Keep an eye out for ‘organic’ varieties, and try to stick to these – whilst ‘organic’ food is associated with higher prices, it will also be fresher and much better tasting for your pet...and probably a lot healthier too!
Any foods that contain artificial flavours or colourings should be avoided.
Not only are the processes in which these are made harmful to the environment but they add nothing of use to the food that your pets’ body needs. Stick to ‘complete’ and ‘balanced’ foods and your pet will stay healthier.
What’s on your dog?
It’s a natural part of a dog’s life to go rooting round in bushes, up to other dogs and sniffing around things we consider disgusting. It’s also a part of life for them to come back to us a little smellier than before, or having picked up some pests along the way. Fortunately there are a variety of methods on the current market to deal with these smells and parasites, but are they good to use?
Shampoos and flea powders may remove the smell or pest, but have you considered the impact on the dog? Many cosmetic items contain harmful chemicals and substances that can irritate the skin and possibly cause allergic reactions, so you should always read the label and use those items suggested by your pet to be non toxic and your pet should be fine.
It’s not just your pet you should worry about. Many flea powders and other pest treatments use pesticides that can be toxic to humans, to exercise extreme caution, especially if you have children. Take care to clean any spills, vacuum any areas where the pet has been to ensure the pest has been removed, and take care when your pet has possible toxic treatments administered.
What’s that on the floor?!
The last way to make sure you and your dog are going green is to pick up that poo!
Dog waste is a health hazard, and should be cleaned up and deposited properly in a waste bin. Leaving it around can mean illness and parasites spread to humans and wildlife, as well as the inevitable messy shoes. Keep our shoes and pavements clean, and remember to always take a doggy waste bag with you when out for walkies!
