5 Ways To Go Green With Your Cat

Published A Few Days Ago
ADVERTISEMENT

Purrr-fect ways you and your cat can be eco-friendly

You recycle, buy organic, and use eco-friendly green products for yourself, so why not make similar choices for your cat? Going green is not only better for your cat’s health, it’s also good for the planet.

You can also help the planet by making choices for your cat that will not only benefit the planet, but will also keep your cat healthy.

Most commercial household cleaners contain hazardous ingredients such as organic solvents and petroleum based chemicals. Some of these are known to cause cancer in animals and are suspected human carcinogens. In particular, Lysol, Pine-sol and other products containing phenols are deadly to cats as they can cause severe liver damage. Chlorox bleach, especially when concentrated, can cause chemical burns when it comes in contact with sensitive cat paws.

Use pet-friendly cleaning products with natural ingredients instead. A word of caution: steer clear of natural cleaning products that contain essential oils. They can be harmful to cats.

Look for premium foods, preferably organic, that use meats that are raised in sustainable, humane ways without added drugs or hormones. Certified-organic pet foods must meet strict USDA standards that spell out how ingredients are produced and processed, which means no pesticides, hormones, antibiotics, artificial preservatives, artificial ingredients or genetically engineered ingredients.

Clay is strip-mined, which is bad for the planet, and clay litter contains silica, which is a known carcinogenic. If your cat will accept one of the alternatives to clay litter such as corn, wheat or pine-based litters, make the switch. Always switch litter gradually, and always provide at least one litter box with the litter your cat is used to until you know your cat is accepting the new litter. Going green is not worth risking having your cat avoid the litter box.

Many of the flea and tick treatments available today contain toxic chemicals that can be hazardous to pets and to people. Even when used according to the manufacturer’s directions, these chemicals can create problems for cats and the humans handling the product. Look into natural and safer options to control parasites.

Lawn chemicals are bad for the environment, and they don’t just affect outdoor cats. An EPA funded study in 2001 found that chemicals used in herbicides are easily tracked indoors, contaminating the air and surfaces inside residences and exposing children and pets at levels ten times higher than pre-application levels.

Going green is a win-win: your cats will be healthier, and you will help make a positive impact on the environment.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ingrid King is the award-winning author of Buckley’s Story: Lessons from a Feline Master Teacher, Purrs of Wisdom: Conscious Living, Feline Style, and Adventures in Veterinary Medicine: What Working in Veterinary Hospitals Taught Me About Life, Love and Myself. She is a former veterinary hospital manager turned writer. Her popular blog, The Conscious Cat, is a comprehensive resource for conscious living, health, and happiness for cats and their humans. The Conscious Cat has won multiple awards. For more information about Ingrid, please visit ConsciousCat.com.

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

You May Like

Best Gilded Golden Retriever Gifts

Goldies are a sweet gift! Give the gift of happiness with brilliant Golden Retriever-inspired trinkets that are sure to be treasured.
Adoptable Dog Of The Week – Pixie

It’s time to meet Pixie, our Adoptable Dog of the Week. She is an adult Spitz and Border Collie mix from Missouri. Pixie is already spayed, housetraine…
Best Dog Car Seat Covers

We''ve rounded up all the best dog car seat covers out there- and a short guide on how to know which of them is the right match for you.
Cool Kickstarter Makes Humans Useless To Cats

When you''re away from home, are you worried that your cat is okay? A cool Kitty Kickstarter will give you some peace of mind when you can''t be together!
Spiny Softshell Turtle

There are several subspecies of the Spiny Softshell Turtle, but one thing that makes all of them interesting is their unique shell.
Pet-Themed Coloring Books for Adults

Do you like to think and color outside of the lines? Turn to adult coloring for stress relief and check out these five pet-themed coloring books for adults.
Giant Angora Rabbit

The Giant Angora rabbit comes in a variety of hues from grey to brown to black, and broken colors. Their wool is perfect to be dyed and made into clothes.
2014 Dog New Year’s Resolutions

New Year''s Resolutions feel like an impossible to-do list and we give them up quickly. But would you be more likely to keep them if they involved your dog?
Do You Need to Clean Your Dog's Paws After Walks?

Cleaning your dog''s paws can help prevent them from tracking dirt and germs into your home and can also prevent skin irritation or infections. But do you need to do it after every walk outside? Here''s what you need to know.
You Need These Life-Sized Lego-Like Cats!

Ever wanted a life-size replica of your cat made from Lego-like bricks? A Hong Kong company makes ''building blocks for kidults,'' has you covered!
Banana Coconut Dog Treat Recipe

It''s not just coconut oil that''s good for dogs - coconut meat packs a healthy punch, too! Did you know that shredded coconut is a great source of fiber?
Bacon and Cheese Dog Muffin Recipe

Two irresistible ingredients in one incredible muffin. Make our Bacon and Cheese Dog Muffin Recipe and become the most popular human at the dog park!
The Bear & The Rat Serve Up Cool Treats For Hot Dogs

Free of wheat, corn and gluten, this summer, your dog will want to wrap his paws and his tongue around The Bear & The Rat Cool Treats For Dogs.
Domestic Longhair

A mix of several breeds and considered one of the most popular cats in the United States, the Domestic Longhair is also one of the most common house cats.
Scottish Fold

The Scottish Fold is a hardy cat, doing justice to the breed''s working class origins. They have very small, soft voices and in general ""speak"" only rarely.