pets – Eco Home Ideas

Are You A Green Pet Owner? What You Need To Know

Pets are the best. Whether you have a cat, a dog or any other kind of furry friend, you probably love them like they are a member of your family. And that’s great! Pets keep us company, they are fun, they reduce stress and are overall a positive influence on our lives. If you want a pet and are able to care for one, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t get a new fur-baby. However, just like humans have a carbon footprint, pets have their own “carbon pawprint” as well. This means that being a responsible pet owner goes beyond taking good care of your pet, you should take care of the environment as well.

Pet shops: just say no

If you are thinking of getting a new puppy or kitty, stay away from pet shops. Consider visiting a rescue center or an animal shelter. That way, you will provide a loving home and care for animals that are already here, instead of encouraging puppy mills and other shady practices.

Feeding your pets: why vegan diets are harmful

We know that producing meat wastes ten times more resources than producing beans and other vegetables. This is why many pet-owners believe that feeding their pets a vegetarian or vegan diet is the answer, but this is far from the truth. While dogs are fairly omnivorous and can sometimes live on a (carefully designed and monitored) vegetarian diet, this should only be attempted after talking with your vet to make sure your puppy is getting everything he needs. Cats, on the other hand, are true carnivores, which means they must eat meat to stay healthy. Attempting to feed a cat a vegetarian or vegan diet will result in harm to the animal and it’s very unnatural. What you can do instead is finding a good brand of organic pet-food, that will give your furry friends all the nutrients they need with less of an environmental impact.

The other end of the problem: green waste disposal

Cat and dog waste is not only smelly and unpleasant, it’s also dangerous. They carry parasites and toxins that can be very harmful to the environment and can even contaminate water sources. When it comes to dogs, the very least you should be doing is immediately bagging and tossing away their poop. However, if you ant a more radical (and permanent) solution, consider installing a specially sealed “doggy loo” that is half-buried in your garden. It will naturally break down the waste and disperse it harmlessly into the soil. Cats should never be taught to poo in the toilet, as that can contaminate the water. Instead, consider switching your clay cat-litter for sawmill waste, hemp or straw litter that is lighter and completely biodegradable.

How To Care For Your Pet During The Hottest Time Of The Year

Summer is great to play outdoors with our loving pets, but it’s important to always keep their safety in mind. Some animals are not well-equipped to deal with the heat, so it’s up to us to care for them so they have a pleasant and safe summer.

Don’t leave your pets in a parked car – It doesn’t matter if it’s only for a minute, temperatures inside a car parked in the sun can rise faster than you think. Your pet might get dehydrated, suffer organ damage and even die after thirty minutes in the sun.

Limit exercise – On the hottest days, give your pet a break and adjust the intensity and duration of the exercise. Walk your pet early in the morning or during the evening if possible. Remember that asphalt can get very hot and burn its paws, so try to walk through grass. Keep your pet under the shade, especially if they have white ears, as they are more susceptible to sun damage. Always carry extra water and a bowl with you, so your furry friend can rehydrate.

Keep water available and fresh – Have multiple bowls of water around the house and backyard, so your pet can be hydrated. Change the water frequently so it’s always fresh and maybe stick a couple of ice cubes in there if you are going to be busy for a while. If your puppy doesn’t find baths stressful, giving them a cooling spray with the hose might help them out.

Keep your dog indoors – Dogs respond differently to heat than humans. For example, they only sweat through their footpads so they cool themselves down by panting. When it’s too humid outside, that might not be enough and they might suffer from heat stress and physical injuries. Keep your puppy inside and keep a dry climate inside the house with a de-humidifier. Fans are not really effective in keeping dogs cool, your best bet is air conditioner, even if it is more expensive.

Watch out for heatstroke – If you live in a place with extreme temperatures, your pet might be susceptible to heatstroke, so keep an eye out for the telling signs. Rapid heartbeat, glazed eyes, lethargy, lack of coordination, excessive salivation, excessive thirst, difficulty breathing, vomiting, a purple tongue and unconsciousness are all signs that a dog might be suffering from heatstroke. If you suspect that might be the case, quickly move your pet to the shade or inside with air-conditioning. Apply cold towels to your dog’s head, neck and chest. Run cool water over them and let them lick ice cubes or drink small amounts of water. As soon as you can, take your pet to the vet. You might save his life.