Organic Dog : How to Make Your Pet’s Life Greener and Healthier

We have put a lot more into the care of our four legged friends.  We understand that they have needs just like us. We want our family pet to enjoy a long and healthy life, and we are willing to inform ourselves on what sort of products are the best in providing them wellness.

What are the basic needs of our family dog?

#1 Exercise:

Regardless of the breed you own, our dogs require daily exercise and stimulation. Every dog needs a full walk twice a day. Now, depending on the breed, you will have to learn how much they require. A husky needs unbelievable amounts of exercise and are usually not the best family dogs considering the amount of work they require. The same can go for some smaller breeds. It might surprise you that a terrier needs just as much exercise as a lab retriever. The best thing to do when looking to help improve your pets health and state of mind is to look specifically at what their particular breed requires.

A dog will have a much more stable lifestyle with a fulfilling walk in the fresh air. Try to go to off leash areas and give them plenty of time to get their “daily news” it is not only going to help keep our pets from finding another outlet, (like chewing your shoes), You also benefit from the time spent outdoors distressing. Exercise is #1 in making your pets life greener and healthier.

What are the best Eco-Friendly dog Toys?

Something to go along with exercise is some great toys to stimulate the mind of your pooch. I am a big fan of West Paw. Their dog toys are made from a 100% recycled proprietary plastic blend. West paw maintains a great “Join the loop” program with their material  Zogoflex^® being infinitely recyclable—meaning when you send your worn-out Zogoflex toys back to them, they recycle them into new Zogoflex toys.

They are all handcrafted in the USA and also include toys made of durable Hemp and Organic Cotton.

• Handcrafting 100% of their products in the USA
• Manufacturing completely safe products: BPA and phthalate-free, non-toxic and FDA compliant
• Relying on eco-friendly materials
• Hosting a Join the Loop® toy recycling program
• Working from an environmentally conscious office building
• Offering generous wages and benefits (including flexible schedules) for employees

Both the Bumi made of %100 Recycled material and the Organic Hemp stuffy Ella are available on amazon

 #2 Food:

After a stimulating walk, your dog will be in great shape to eat (feeding your pet before a walk can be dangerous, so you will want to wait 2 hours before exercise if they have eaten.) Choosing the right food for your dog can be very challenging.

Choosing the bigger name dog food brands puts your dog at risk. IAMS, Purina and Eukanuba are a few of the companies that have made it on the recall list for such health risks as salmonella, arsenic, melamine and plastic pieces found in the food. A lot of pet food will have antibiotic additives because of the concern with contamination during processing.

You can see an extensive list and articles on dog food recalls and learn much more about the dog food industry here at The Dog Press

Dogs are carnivores, they need a diet high in meat and protein, they do not need carbohydrates. Conventional pet foods contain anywhere from 40-60% carbs. We need to mirror the natural diversity dogs would have in the wild.

Corn, Soy and GMO ingredients in our dog food can cause severe health issues, so feeding our dogs great food, derived from real meat and vegetables, will ensure a healthy, happy dog. You will save in the long run on expensive vet bills by avoiding dangerous recalled foods. You will enjoy a long life with your best friend. It is Imperative we choose transparency with our dog food, just as we would for ourselves.

What is the best food to feed my dog?

You can always provide your dog with a raw food diet, this does take a lot of work, but is a wonderful choice. If you want a similar choice without the work that gives your dog all the same qualities and ingredients a raw food diet gives, you can get help from the experts making amazing chow for your pooch.

What I recommend and trust completely for my chocolate lab is Champion Pet Foods. For me, it is locally made only about 15 miles away. Champion Pet Foods is available in many pet stores that support high-quality dog foods. You can also purchase from amazon, thank goodness for those people who do not have access to high-quality pet food.

With Champion Pet Foods, ingredients arrive fresh every day, by “fresh” they mean, the ingredients are never frozen. The ingredients are taken from the farms and processing plants and delivered directly to Champion Pets Foods facility.

Champion’s ingredients or foods are never treated with Ethoxyquin or any other chemical. Ethoxyquin is often used as a fish preservative, Champion makes sure that the fresh fish they are getting is preserved with Vitamin E and botanical extracts.

Ingredients used in their pet foods include fresh fish, meat, eggs, vegetables, fruit, and oats. These ingredients are sourced from local producers.

Champion Pet Foods does not use GMO ingredients, meat with hormones and antibiotics, or fish high in heavy metals. They do not contain chemical preservatives.

My #1 formula for my guy (Dante) is Acana Ranchlands made with beef, bison, and lamb. Low in carbohydrates with fruits, vegetable, and botanicals to support the digestive tract and improve their metabolism. This nourishing formula contains glucosamine and chondroitin, as well as omega-3 (EPA & DHA) to promote healthy skin and a shiny coat.

• For all breeds and life stages
• Rich in protein
• Grain free
• 60% red meat
• %40 fresh fruits and vegetables

We will sometimes add a bit of fresh chicken stock to his dry food when it is hot out. This gives him a bit of added hydration when he is working harder and “sweating” more. I love this dog food, I am so pleased with it. My dog has no issues with diarrhea or bloating. He has a shiny coat, his energy is not sluggish, he is never dehydrated or sick. He is all around healthy. The right food for your dog makes all the difference. Be sure you are providing them with the best, they deserve it.

#3 Affection & Care

Affection and care is fairly broad, so what I mean by this is, providing the best basic needs of comfort, shelter, warmth and so on. Giving your pooch the same care you would provide for the rest of the family.

Giving our dog snuggles and care is sometimes the easiest need to fulfill. Dogs need love and attention the same as you and me. So what are some “green” ways to care for our dog? So far we have covered what toys are great and what food is the best. There is one more thing to consider to add to the care of your dog, and that is a great bed.

Now I know when I mention a high quality Organic bed for your dog, some people will turn their heads and say “That is  as a bit extreme.” The way I look at it is, my dog spends a lot of time lounging and sleeping on his bed, I want to provide a safe, toxic free area for my dog. I know I make many choices for my own health including the best organic bedding, so I want to give all of the important people ( furry people too ) in my life the same curtesy.

What is the best bed for my dog?

Again, I am going to recommend West Paws for their exceptional, toxic free doggy beds. They are hand crafted and 3rd party tested for toxins. I feel very confident my dog will be breathing in fresh air, rather than the emissions of heavily treated fabrics.

West Paws offers many different style doggy beds that are washer, dryer friendly, using organic cotton, hemp, and other eco textiles.

West Paw Dog Beds also available at Amazon.com

Providing your pet with a healthy, green way of life makes sense. We love and care for these animals the same as we would our families. They are a part of the family. The products I recommend are still affordable and practical. The dog food has a higher price point, only because you will not be buying “waste product” that tends to be what most dog foods are made of. You are paying for fresh meat and vegetables, exactly what your pup needs.

If you are looking for more advice for your pooch, we can help. I have personally trained my chocolate lab as a certified Therapy Dog. We have provided a natural life for him, with plenty of exercise and great food.

We always like to hear your stories or thoughts here at lifestyle, especially anything dog related. We are animal lovers. Be sure to share any puppy pics or comments 🙂

Here is my best friend Dante

This post was originally published on February 8, 2016