Los Angeles Area Resource for Eco-Friendly Parents

Eco-friendly Pet Parenting

Your conscientious shopping and lifestyle in your home doesn't have to stop when considering your pet's carbon paw print. With so many businesses turning to sustainable and earth-friendly practices, it is easy and affordable to make the transition for our fuzzy friends.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Dog Products

	PoochPlanet® and SmartyKat® pet beds are filled with EcoRest®, recycled fiber fill blend made from postconsumer recycled plastic bottles.
	PlanetDog.com is offering a July special! When you purchase any of their hemp collars, you receive a Planet Dog Tag for free.
	For eco-friendly dog toys, check out Orbee-Tuff Brand toys. Give your buddy a shot of B12 with the new Orbee-Tuff Strawberry. This toy delivers 100% of a dog’s daily requirement of rompoflavin, chompohydrates, vitamin WAG and dietary fun. Non-toxic, recyclable and rinses clean. Made in the U.S.A.
	When toting around your little furry friend, do it in eco-style with The Eco-Friendly Tote by Snoozer. It is made of recycled burlap, for luxurious canine comfort that's also planet-friendly.

Choosing Eco-Friendly Cat Products

	Each year over 2 million tons of non-biodegradable cat litter made from clay ends up in our landfills. Clay-based cat litter is mined which has a major environmental impact. There are wonderful alternatives available made from non-toxic materials. Swheat Scoop litter for instance, is made from wheat, while still minimizing odor and clumping well. See more info here.
	Keep your cat inside to promote a longer, healthier life! On average, indoor cats live 5x longer. If your cat must be an outdoor cat, keep them tagged with a Petmate breakaway collar made from recycled soda bottles.
	What could be more environmentally friendly than adopting a pet? Instead of buying from breeders or pet stores, take home an amazing friend from your local pet shelter or rescue. There are millions of pets available for adoption, looking for a new home with a loving family.

Holistic Health for your Pets

Has your pet ever had excessive itching? Chronic ear infections? Sore joints? Teeth and Gum issues? Many of these conditions can be treated using alternatives to expensive allergy testing, cortisone and steroid shots. Just as our human families are directly affected by their diet, so are our fuzzy friends. Food allergies in dogs and cats can cause many conditions and often a simple diet change can provide huge relief. Dogs and cats are typically affected by the grain additives in many brand name foods. Additionally, some can be sensitive to certain types of meat. For the most control over your pup or kitty's diet, consider a raw diet, such as BARF. Several pet boutiques also carry pre-packaged raw food for dogs and cats.

How Children and Families Benefit from Pets

The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry has this to say about the benefits of children's pet ownership:

"Children raised with pets show many benefits.  Developing positive feelings about pets can contribute to a child's self-esteem and self-confidence.  Positive relationships with pets can aid in the development of trusting relationships with others.  A good relationship with a pet can also help in developing non-verbal communication, compassion, and empathy.  Pets can serve different purposes for children:

• They can be safe recipients of secrets and private thoughts--children often talk to their pets, like they do their stuffed animals.
• They provide lessons about life; reproduction, birth, illnesses, accidents, death, and bereavement.
• They can help develop responsible behavior in the children who care for them.
• They provide a connection to nature.
• They can teach respect for other living things." more