Courtesty of Animal Planet:
7 Ways to Reduce Your Pets Carbon Paw-print
The concept of “Earth Day” is a bit of a misnomer, because we should all do our part to recycle and re-purpose every day of the year. However, Earth Day is a wonderful way to raise awareness of the simple ways we can reduce our carbon foot and pawprints all year. Here are my favorite tips for 2011:
1. Practice Green Grooming
Look for gentle, chemical-free pet shampoos and conditioners. To be safe, choose high-quality brands; when in doubt, consult your vet.
2. Upcycle Chic: Recycle and Repurpose Your Old Dog or Cat Beds
With the Molly Mutt Dog Bed Duvets you don’t have to toss your old dog beds, you just simply re-cover them! Brilliant! Or, simply fill a duvet with old clothes or bedding you might have laying around the house and create yourself (and pup) a sharp looking new bed. Find them atMollymutt.com
3. Recycle Your Water Bottles with the Bottle Buddy Dog Toy
What dog doesn’t LOVE playing with empty plastic water bottles? My dog Zazou loves the crunching sound of empty water bottles and was beside himself when I brought home the Bottle Buddy dog toy , a darling plush dog toy that fits perfectly over an empty water bottle. Providing the irresistible crackling mouth-feel dogs love, the plastic bottle inside is removable and can be replaced with another empty bottle once they flatten it out with their chomping. Available at Muttropolis.
4. Re-purpose Your Pet’s Hand-me Downs
Do you have pet accessories or pet supplies you’re no longer using? Most shelters gladly welcome your donation of gently used dog or cat toys, collars, leashes, beds, bowls and the like. Simply locate an animal shelter or rescue organization near you at Petfinder.com and do your part to recycle and help a great cause.
5. DIY: Recycled Cardboard Kitty Pad Scratcher
Courtesy of the crafty folks over at design*sponge comes this darling do it yourself recycled cardboard kitty pad scratcher. If you look closely, it’s simply made of corrugated cardboard and some scrap paper/felt and based on the instructions, looks nearly idiot-proof to make (that says a lot coming from me)! Click here for the complete instructions on how to make this eco-friendly scratcher.
6. Bio-degradable Dog Poop Bags
Reduce your pet’s carbon poo-print with Biodegradable Business Bags made from real corn.They biodegrade completely in 45 days and become fertilizer. Available at muttropolis.com
7. Adopt a Pet!
Adopt a pet from a shelter and you’ll save it from being one of the more than three million cats and dogs euthanized each year, and reduce the resources used in shelters. If you long for a particular type of dog or cat, check out Petfinder.com