Dan's Papers - May 9, 2008 - Healthy, Natural Choices for Your Pets

The benefits of green living doesn't have to be limited to humans. Our family pets can play a huge role in the health and well being of our environment. Actually, having a "green" pet is easier than you might think. I call it the "roll over" effect. And many of the wonderful things we do to take better care of our canine and feline companions will also have a positive impact on our planet.

Here's the green light on some of these pet friendly ideas.

Save a life: Older/rescue dogs are not as effort intensive as a young puppy and chances are good that they will already be housebroken. Not having to cope with the chewing and teething stage of a young puppy may be reason enough to look for an older dog that has been through this phase. Adopting an older dog should guarantee that medical exams, vaccination, deworming, and neutering or spaying have already been taken care of by a veterinarian. If the dog you adopt is over a year old, you pretty much know what you are getting as far as looks and size are concerned.

Prevention is Healthy Too: If it doesn't surprise you that nationally millions of dogs and cats are euthanized in shelters, it may come as a surprise to learn that most of them come from loving families that can no longer care for them. Oddly, there's a little known fact related to the mortgage crisis. The rise in foreclosed homes has resulted in an increase of abandoned dogs and cats and created the new term "foreclosure pets." At least 15% of all dogs found in foreclosed homes have to be euthanized. The other side of the neutering/spaying coin is that may also reduce the risk of certain health problems, offering you more years with your beloved dog or cat.

Human Grade: "Not fit for human consumption" is most likely the ingredients in most dog foods unless otherwise stated. Dead, Dying, Diseased, or Down (disabled) animals are supplied to the rendering plants for commercial dog and cat food. President Herschel Pendell, of the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) spoke about the ingredients found in popular brands of commercial dog food during a recent interview. "If the ingredient says meat, bone or MEAL, you don't know if it is cattle, or sheep, or horse or ... Fluffy," he said. There is NO authoritative or regulatory system in place in regard to dog food. Manufacturers slip under radar when it comes to labeling because "the large manufacturers are protected by the constitutionally guaranteed right of speech, which doesn't require that speech to be truthful, or with reason."

Read the label. Know what you're getting. The first ingredient is the most important to look at because they are listed in the order of value. If corn is the first ingredient, it's downhill from there.

Holistic and certified organic pet foods are in abundance now but don't be fooled by the marketing hook on the front of the bag like "natural," "wholesome," "healthful" or "real."

Food without pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives, environmentally damaging or genetically engineered ingredients help keep the Big Kahuna a healthy, happy puppy.

Here's the Scoop: Dogs first. There is no longer any excuse for leaving feces where it falls! Parvovirus, roundworms, hookworms, whipworms, tapeworms, heartworms, and giardia are transmitted via dog feces. Not only is there a risk of stepping in the waste and tracking the mess and the diseases into your home, but as rainwater begins to dissolve the piles of waste, contaminants are transported via runoff into the ground water. Dog feces are known to be one of the leading sources of contamination in lakes, rivers, and streams. In addition, the nitrogen released in animal waste combines with other naturally occurring elements in lakes and streams causing an increase in ammonia levels resulting in dead fish.

Pet supply stores have an abundance of easy to use, inexpensive devices and bags to aid in your quest to clean up your and your neighbor's property. There are even prefilled plastic attachments for your dog's leash that contain waste pick-up bags. For the latest in modern convenience, there are reliable companies that will scoop the poop for you, and dispose of it in accordance with your town's regulations. For you cat lovers; litter and clean up products that are environmentally safe as well as healthier for your feline family are the right choice.

Pet & Planet Friendly: I can probably fill an entire room with anti-something that is made specifically for our canine and feline family members. Antiseptic, antibacterial, odor eliminating, stain removing, parasite and mite preventing, powders, liquids, sprays, soaps, shampoos and the like promise to make Kahuna and Sylvester, as well as our homes, bug free, stench free, and pet owner identification and evidence free. Every anti-green chemical we use will become part of our air and water supply.

Products that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and made from renewable resources (not petroleum) are the way to go. Home-mixed cleaners can get the job done and then some. Vinegar and baking soda can be used to clean almost anything. Ask your vet about cleaning your dog's ears with a little white vinegar.

Next time you play ball on the lawn with your dog or run with him on the beach, stop and take your shoes off. Lie down on the grass or sand, or sit with him at the shore line and put your feet in the water. Think about how great that feels. There's nothing like it on the earth.