Green Holiday Tips - for Pets!

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We just love the following green holiday tips from one of our favorite places to shop:   Only Natural Pet Store.  With the holiday season upon us, it's the perfect time to pass along some tips to help make the holidays with our pets a bit greener. 



1.  [U]Buy Earth-Friendly Pet Gifts:[/U] Our country is great in so many ways, one of which is the fact that we can "vote with our wallet" every time we shop! By choosing earth-friendly pet products that are made from recycled or recyclable materials, minimally packaged, sustainably harvested and produced, you are letting pet product manufacturers know that our planet matters to you. We carry many earth-friendly pet items, including beds, toys, and organic and natural food and treats, all of which support a healthy planet, and some of which are on sale this month (see above).

2. [U]Avoid Air Fresheners and Scented Candles:[/U] Many people buy air freshener sprays, plug-ins or scented candles to help mask odors when holiday guests arrive or just to give their home a "holiday" aroma. The truth is that most of these products are toxic to people and pets, and contain many chemicals (like pthalates and formaldehyde) that are linked to asthma, respiratory problems, and worse. If you want to give your home a natural holiday scent, try a drop of mint or cinnamon essential oil on a light bulb, or put a small pot with cloves, cinnamon sticks, or other herbs to simmer on your stove.



  3.  [U]Skip the Gift Wrap for Pets:[/U] Tons of gift wrap ends up in landfills each holiday season, and most likely, your pet won't care whether the gift is wrapped or not. If you feel you must conceal gifts for your pets, put them into a reusable gift bag or recyclable paper bag and let them gently pull out the gifts when you present them.





4.  [U]Give D-I-Y Gifts:[/U] If you're kitchen proficient, why not make your dog some treats? Dog treat and biscuit recipes can be found in pet cookbooks and healthcare reference books like Dr. Pitcairn's Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs & Cats and The Good Food Cookbook for Dogs.

5.  [U]Don't Give Pets as Gifts:[/U] For many reasons, we strongly urge that no one give a pet as a holiday gift to a friend, roommate, or dating partner. Pet guardianship is a serious responsibility and people must decide for themselves if and when they are ready to bring an animal into their lives for a 10+ year commitment to the care and expense of a pet.





 6.  [U]Buy from Green Businesses:[/U] Much in the same way that buying earth-friendly pet products can give you a voice in the pet product industry, so can making the choice to buy from green businesses. When you choose to buy from companies that adhere to green business practices like recycling, using eco-friendly packaging, and choosing wind-power and other carbon footprint offsets, you increase the chances that more businesses will adopt these practices. You can feel confident buying pet items from Only Natural Pet Store. We are 100% wind powered and a Zero Waste Program participating retailer. Click here for more on our green business practices. 



7.  [U]Adopt from a Shelter:[/U] If you are bringing a pet into your own home this holiday season, adopting is the best way to go. Everyone (and our planet) benefits when a stray or unwanted pet finds a home, and with so many breed rescue groups around, there's no reason you can't find the pet of your dreams. Give a dog or cat a second chance and help reduce the number of unwanted pets in our world. Adopting a pet from a shelter also does not support the puppy mill industry, a cause we can all get behind!



 8.  [U]Give Your Pet an "Intangible" Gift:[/U] That trip to the dog park you've been meaning to make, or the field, trail or hike you've been intending to take your dog to experience. Extra playtime for active cats, or some quality lap time with snuggly felines. These are the types of intangible gifts that your pet might not be able to appreciate the same way they would a treat or other gift, but like other "service" gifts for people, they can improve the quality of life of the recipient, and who deserves this more than your beloved pets?