We love our pets.
They link us to the natural world and impart insight beyond our human scope. We
hike with our dogs in the early morning light and marvel at what draws their
attention. We meditate with our cats as the day draws to a close, and learn from
them what it is to be simultaneously alert and at peace. The animals in our
lives give us companionship, heart-healthy interaction and entertainment (can
anything on TV top the sight of a puppy tumbling for a tennis ball or a kitten
flying after a shoelace?). How can we
reciprocate? We can provide them with earth-loving beds, toys, habitats and
collars. To help green up the essentials for the pet in your life, we’ve
searched for and tested the most affordable eco-friendly pet products we could
find.
Dogs
Gear
Bathe your pooch in natural ingredients that help soothe dry
skin and relieve itching. We love Happy Tails—a canine spa line that offers an array of natural products, including colloidal oatmeal shampoo
and Fur Butter made with shea butter, calendula, aloe and oatmeal. ($14/$19)
For dogs with big personalities, Keeka’s cute
line of 100 percent organic tank tops is a great option. Featuring the same
designs as their baby line, including cupcake, princess and peanut, you’re sure
to find one that fits your dog’s style. ($15)
Got Skunked? NuHemp Botanicals’ Omega Zapp
Skunk Odour Removal Shampoo is the perfect answer. As part of their entire
Omega Therapy line utilizing hemp oil and oatmeal, the skunk shampoo also
features apple cider vinegar and other emollients to get the skunk out—fast.
($14.99)
Toys
My two dogs instantly fell in love with the flexible,
stretchable, floatable Bumi by West Paw Design that makes tug-of-war a real challenge. Although the Zogoflex® material is
recyclable, I can’t see the need—this thing is indestructible. ($13.50)
For dogs that prefer “babies,” West Paw Design’s line of Dodo toys, made from 85 percent recycled IntelliLoft fibers and stuffed
with IntelliLoft fill, are a perfect option. Soft, cuddly and nontoxic. ($13)
The toys from A Cheerful Pet are
made from 100 percent wool and are hand-crafted by artisans in Nepal, helping
support the local economy and various charity groups. The colorful wool is
woven into everything from sea creatures to their cute Headzees line and
Woolzees balls. A definite fave. (contact for pricing)
The Orbee-Tuff RecycleBONE from Planet Dog is
made from recycled “regrind” Orbee-Tuff material and is the ultimate toy for
chewers who just can’t seem to get enough. ($11.95)
Collars/Leashes
Outfit your eco dog with a hemp collar, leash or harness
from Earth Dog. Their line of hemp products is
anything but boring, with designs including the Om symbol, bold stars, the
royal crown and daisies. ($20-37)
Furniture/Beds
For a modern—and versatile take on the dog bed, check out Eazy
Bean’s collection of bean bag seats, loungers
and cushions designed for everyone in the family. The suede covers are all made
from 100 percent post-consumer product, and the filling can be recycled. The
question is, when your bag arrives will you really give it to your pooch?!
(prices vary)
New car and hairy pet? (Me, too!) Don’t fret with the Harry Barker
Quilted Car Seat Cover. Made from 100 percent
organic cotton, this comfy pad will protect your vehicle’s interior and is nontoxic
and machine-washable. ($68)
Ruff Wear’s Mt. Bachelor Pad is the perfect bed for the
back of your car and your home, too. Created with recycled fleece, the cover is
made from PVC-free polycloth that keeps moisture away—perfect for
after-the-lake jaunts or snowy days. ($59.95-$74.95)
For the crème de la crème of dog beds, turn to West Paw
Design’s new Organic Bumper Bed. Certified safe by the
Oeko-Tex Standard 100, these beds are made from organic cotton and stuffed with
100 percent recycled Intelliloft fiber and come in great colors, including a
bright green basil, a deep purple huckleberry, and a show-stopping orange
ember. They also make an Eco Nap pad and a cushy Eco Slumber Bed. ($68+)
Necessities
You take your omega-3s, and your dogs should too. Nordic Naturals Omega-3 Pet Capsules deliver the same health benefits,
assisting and supporting healthy skin, coats and joints, reducing inflammation,
and supporting the development and maintenance of the brain and eyes.
($19.95 for 90 capsules)
You think your food is full of fillers? Wait until you look
more closely at the ingredients listed in most conventional dog food. If you
really want to feed your pet well, feed them natural food. We love Holistic
Select’s dog food, which comes in a
variety of simple formulas, featuring simple proteins and grains (no corn), as
well as probiotics, digestive enzymes, and antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies.
If you only make one change, be sure to switch to
compostable “poo” bags. BioBag Dog Waste Bags are available on a roll,
making it easy to clean up without creating more garbage. ($5.50 for 40 bags)
The Honest Kitchen dog treats
are made from hormone-free meats and antioxidant-rich fruit. I’m pretty sure
the “Smooches” treats—made with chicken and cranberries—will elevate my pooches
in the dog park popularity contest. ($14)
Cats
Toys
Bring out the
tiger in your kitty with organic catnip toys. From the Field, based in Rainier, Wash., produces toys
made of 100 percent organic hemp fabric and locally-grown catnip. Entice Fluff
with the bestselling Shelby the Mouse or purchase a Purrfect Gift Kit for that
hard-to-buy-for feline. The hemp fabric stands up to cats that kick toys hard
with their back feet, yet it’s soft enough for kitties that cuddle their toys
more gently. ($5; see Web site for retailers)
The Kong
Company’s new line of natural toys consists of mice, crinkle fish and chase balls made from organic catnip, cotton
fabric and thread, buckwheat and straw. These delights are incredibly
lightweight and the perfect size for kitties that like to carry or wash their
toys. Challenge your tubbier tabby by making him jump for the feathery straw
ball teaser! Available anywhere cat toys are sold. ($5)
Too much of a
good thing can lead to ennui. Case in point, some kitties overexposed to catnip
become resistant to its charms. If your moggie has grown “meh” about catnip,
try toys stuffed with cat-attracting honeysuckle wood instead. Kitty Kottage,
out of Edmonton, Alberta, features an extensive collection of toys made from
locally harvested honeysuckle. The cotton cushion is your best green bet, but don’t
overlook the play mats or body pillows (made with kicking kitties in mind).
($3–$12)
Collars
We want our
outside cats to wear collars that hold ID tags; kitties want to scratch, bite,
and twist out of any collar we put on them. The best solution is Silly Kitty’s breakaway hemp cat collars that come in seven hand-dyed colors
and are so soft, kitty won’t mind wearing one. Washable, durable Silly Kitty
collars are sold throughout the U.S. and Canada; check out the Web site for a
list of retailers. ($10)
Fashion-forward
felines might insist on the repurposed collars made by Annie’s Sweatshop. Catering primarily to canines,
this Waterloo, Ontario, shop run by Ann Marie Matott also turns out cat collars
made from recycled fabric, including old curtains and neckties. The buckles on
Annie’s collars have been salvaged from discards, and each one is adorned with
bright, repurposed buttons. ($15; send in a used collar and receive $3 off)
Cardboard Scratchers
Cats need to
scratch—it’s their way to shed claws and mark territory through scent organs in
their paws. To save the couch and your sanity, invest in any of these
scratchers made from recycled and recyclable cardboard.
Omega Paw’s Ripple Board Scratch’n Massage Bed offers the best of all
worlds for a lazy cat on a lazy day: Felix won’t even have to get out of bed to
sharpen his claws. Made from 98 percent post-consumer and diverted materials,
this bed/scratcher boasts three layers of Omega’s patented Ripple Board treated
with organic catnip oil; remove layers as Felix destroys—er—exercises his claws
on them. Available at pet supply stores. ($13)
Smarty Kat’s Complete Needs System offers a variety of scratchers, ranging from
simple boxes for kitties that scratch horizontal surfaces to incline scratchers
for cats that like to get their backs into the job. Smarty Kat’s most innovative
design is the CatChaise, a curved platform of cardboard made for lounging and
scratching. Find the CatChaise in supermarkets and discount department stores.
($15)
The Wall Flower
Cardboard Scratcher, developed by Marmalade Pet Care, suggests undulating waves in sherbet shades. Although the Wall Flower
can be used on the floor, we recommend mounting one to a wall to create a
vertical scratching heaven for kitties that love to stretch as they scratch.
($42; wall clips sold separately)
Furniture
The Caboodle
Corrugated Habitat solves the problem of costly pet furniture
most simply. At first glance, the Caboodle looks like a stack of cardboard
boxes, but it’s collapsible, made of reinforced, recycled cardboard, and can be
recycled once its day has passed. Decorate the unadorned Caboodle yourself, and
you’ll have a great-looking, sturdy playhouse for frisky kitties or a haven for
elderly or convalescing cats. ($30)
Is your calico a
climber? Present her with a handcrafted Mountain Cat Tree, and she’ll never touch the drapes or
bookshelves again. Mountain Cat Trees are sculpted from pine, poplar and birch
downed by storms or culled by forest management in the North Quabbin region of
Massachusetts. Designer Rebecca Mountain takes two to six weeks to shape the
untreated wood into each unique cat tree, which range in height from three to
six feet. Order from the Web site; custom orders welcome (from $129).
The Platform C cat
tower from DKCat is
stylish, modern and undeniably green. Each tower is constructed of bamboo
platforms, reclaimed wood posts, natural sisal rope and replaceable carpet. The
towers are window-height, ideal for perching felines tracking neighborhood
birds, and the clean lines will fit in with any Mad Men–inspired decor. Visit designer Dani Kilmer’s Web site to
order and for information on other products (from $180).