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Good hygiene is essential to your pet's health as well as public safety. Your dog or cat is limited in his ability to groom and clean up after himself, so this responsibility falls to you as a pet owner. Ironically, many of the cleaning and grooming products that you use to groom your pet and clean up after him may be hazardous to the environment, and possibly to your pet's health or yours. Fortunately, there are natural and sustainable alternatives that are just as effective as the hazardous products they're replacing.
Poop Bags
If your dog or cat defecates while outside for a walk, it falls to you to clean up the resulting mess. In many communities, this is the law. Furthermore, it is just common courtesy. Residential property owners shouldn't have to bear the responsibility for cleaning up after your pet, and public spaces need to be clean and safe for everyone.
Dog or cat feces are breeding grounds for disease-causing microbes. If not removed promptly, they can contaminate the soil or the water. Picking up the feces with your bare hands would be disgusting and unhygienic, so many pet owners carry around plastic bags that they can use to pick up the poop until they reach a receptacle where they can throw it away.
However, plastic bags are damaging to the environment in many ways. They are made from petroleum, a limited resource. The manufacturing process gives off dangerous greenhouse gases. Plastic contains chemicals that may harm people and animals. It doesn't biodegrade; it just stays in the environment forever. It may break down into smaller shards called microplastics, which may be consumed by animals or even people.
Plastic bags can be particularly troublesome, especially when they get into the ocean. Sea turtles and other forms of marine life have been known to consume plastic bags floating in the water. The movement of a floating plastic bag may resemble a jellyfish or other sea creature that the predators prey on. The plastic can choke the creature or cause an intestinal blockage.
Eco-friendly poop bags may look like plastic, but they are actually made of natural materials such as starch, vegetable oils, and plant fibers. These materials are biodegradable, meaning that they break down completely and add nutrients to the soil. They are as thick as plastic poop bags and do not puncture easily or leak.
For your convenience, there are also poop bag dispensers made from natural or recycled materials that you can use to carry the bags with you so you always have them when you need them.
Household Cleaners
Even a well-trained dog or cat may occasionally poop, pee, vomit, or track mud inside your home. When this happens, you need to clean and disinfect the area. If the accident occurred on carpet or upholstery, you also need to remove the stains left behind.
Many household cleaners contain chemicals such as ammonia, nitrogen, and phosphorus that are considered volatile organic compounds. VOCs give off fumes that can be dangerous when inhaled. Both you and your pet may be at risk for health conditions related to breathing in the fumes. When you are done using the cleaning material, you might dump the wastewater down the sink. This can allow the chemicals to contaminate the water supply.
Instead, look for cleaning products that contain cleansers derived from plants as well as other natural ingredients, such as baking soda. Producing the chemicals used in traditional cleaners results in greenhouse gas emissions, so plant-derived cleansers have a lower carbon footprint in addition to not giving off harmful fumes or contaminating the water supply.
There are also deodorizers made with essential oils. While these are all-natural, not all essential oils are safe for pets, so be sure to verify that it is a pet-friendly product before purchasing.
Grooming Products
For pets as well as people, keeping clean is key to staying healthy. Cats are pretty efficient at grooming themselves, but your cat may need a bath if she gets into something that would be dangerous for her to lick off or if she has an underlying condition for which your vet recommends bathing her by hand. Dogs need occasional baths in any circumstances. You probably already know that you should never use grooming products made for humans on a dog or cat, but you should also be careful of products intended for use in cleaning pets.
Chemical-based pet grooming products present some of the same problems as household cleaners. They may be made from petroleum, meaning that they have a large carbon footprint. They often go down the drain with the wastewater, which can lead to chemical contamination. Furthermore, they can leave residue on your pet's skin and coat. The skin may absorb these chemicals, or your pet may consume them when licking his coat or paws. Fortunately, as with household cleaning products, there are alternative grooming products made from natural ingredients, such as oatmeal or buttermilk, that are safe for pets to consume and don't leave harmful chemicals behind that your pet's skin could absorb.
Natural pet grooming products are available for both dogs and cats of all ages.
Natural, environmentally friendly pet cleaning products make a lot of sense. Even though you may think of "the environment" as plants and wild animals, your pet is part of the environment, and so are you. Therefore, what happens in the environment can impact you and your pet. Take steps to make the effect a positive one.
