Greening for Fido + Milo

The Palisadian-Post has partnered with local environmental organization Resilient Palisades to deliver a weekly “green tip” to our readers.

For many, our pets are extensions of our families. We’ll do anything to keep them safe, healthy and happy. Just as we’re taking steps to reduce exposure to harmful toxins in our everyday lives—from the foods we eat to the personal care products we choose—we should also look at our pets to see how and where we can also reduce their exposure to harmful toxins.

Here are a few areas of consideration for Fido and Milo.

Lather green: Just as with your own soaps and shampoos, also research your pet’s shampoo ingredients. The pet industry is loosely regulated, so words like “natural,” “organic” and other label claims are not always what they seem. Take a few minutes to look up the company and individual ingredients. Transparency is an ever-increasing ethos for companies that are doing it “right.” If a company is avoiding transparency, ask yourself why.

Textiles: Choose collars, leashes, beds and especially toys from sustainable, non-toxic materials (and free of fire-retardant), such as organic hemp, organic cotton, reclaimed fibers and silicone. Look for products that are third-party certified or visit EWG.org for “polluted pets.”

Cat litter: Avoid litter containing crystalline silica, considered carcinogenic by the World Health Organization. To be kind to our planet, also skip litter made with bentonite clay, which is extracted from the earth using damaging strip-mining.

In your garden, in your home: Avoid emerald green lawns and gardens when walking your dog, and choose integrative pest management to control weeds and unwanted pests in your garden, including mulch and worm castings in lieu of harsh fertilizers. Inside, always use biodegradable cleaning products, especially on your floors.

Flea and tick control: There are some eco-friendly options to control fleas and ticks. Research online to see which ones work best for your pet. If you need to resort to medications, ask your veterinarian about the least-toxic options (some options contain fewer chemicals) and ask about how you can adjust the dose based on the season.

For more information about Resilient Palisades, visit resilientpalisades.org.