Owning a pet comes with a lot of responsibility and if you are concerned about their environment, and yours, you will also be concerned about the long term negative effects their care and needs may have on the planet.
If you want to be more mindful of the products you use, and how you use them, we've put together a little list of simple, non-costly things you can do at your own pace at home.
Clean without chemicals
There are a multitude of natural substances that allow for deep cleaning without the use of chemicals or products that are dangerous to health.
The oldest and most traditional methods use the substances below:
- Beeswax for your floors
- White vinegar to descale, disinfect and shine your surfaces
- Baking soda to whiten or degrease
- Lemon juice to remove limescale and deodorize
For example, to clean your dog's drooling bowls, nothing is better than soaking a mixture of water and vinegar before rinsing generously, they will be like new!
You can also steam clean your floors and parquet to remove any stains your pets might leave behind.
Does your apartment, couch or carpet smell like dog? Want to remove a strong odor from a fabric without having to wash it every week? Try sprinkling the affected areas with baking soda, leave for 15 minutes and vacuum.
In case of an accident on a carpet or blanket, soak in water, use a little soda water and let dry. Once dry, add baking soda and vacuum. Be mindful, this technique can alter the color of your fabric.
You may not like this tip, but the best thing to do when you have pets is to vacuum! Several times a week, if possible, and while dusting with a microfiber. Dust is full of dead skin, hair and dust mites!
Avoid toxic products for your dog's care...
Did you know that you can dilute apple cider vinegar in water to soothe your dog's itch?
There are many natural products that dogs can tolerate, such as shea butter, quality honey and certain essential oils. Choose natural products whenever possible, and be sure to check the dosage before testing on your dog.
Fleas, ticks and other insects can attack your pets all year round. There are of course chemical drugs and antiparasitics, but you can also reverse the trend with natural, and rather simple, methods:
- Bathe regularly (the lather drowns the fleas!)
- Brush the hair with an adapted brush, every week
- Wash your dog's sheets/carpet or other bedding regularly
- Vacuum the carpets and other bedding on a weekly basis
...and for its nutrition
Some kibble bags are made with untreated aluminum liners, which are generally not recommended.
Avoid the use of pesticides or fungicides for your outdoors, if your pet can access them. Try other techniques to care for your garden (and your dog).
As for its waste...
Contrary to popular belief, solid dog waste is not a good fertilizer. It is recommended to pick up after your dog, and if possible, using bags that are not made of plastic! There are now bags made of biodegradable material (made from corn starch).
What about outings?
You can easily reduce your footprint by choosing walks that start at home, either on foot or by bike!
The 3Rs of sustainability
This can apply to your dog too!
Reduce; think sustainable - buy a metal comb instead of a plastic one, it will last you longer. Reduce single-use products, such as reusable water bottles when you go for a walk with your dog!
Reuse; your yoga mat is too worn out, cut a piece to hold your dog's bowls, or to protect from water splashes on the floor, or glue strips on your stairs to prevent slipping.
Recycle; give materials a second life by using second-hand products, or products made from recycled materials.
See you next time on The Pets Ark!
The Pets Ark family
