Pets and the Environment: A Convenient Truth

I learned the difference between kitty litter made out of wood, grain, corn, or wheat, and Michael recommended Smart Litter, an organic litter made out of corn and wheat, because it clumps better. For biodegradable poop bags, he recommended Kygen or Bags on Board. He explained to me the difference between pet food that is certified organic (ninety-five percent of its ingredients are organic) versus food that has “made with organic ingredients” on its label (as little as seventy percent of the ingredients could be organic).

The Honest Kitchen, Inc., a certified organic dog and cat food company based in San Diego, stood out as a favorite of Pet Food Express customers for several reasons. The Honest Kitchen offers dehydrated raw dog food for every stage of a dog’s life as well as dehydrated raw cat food and herbal nutritional supplements. Because it is not cooked and then sealed in a can (like most pet foods), it is able to retain its nutrients, and it is human-grade quality. As stated on their website, their food is made of only organic grains, hormone- and antibiotic-free meats, and non-GMO produce. Upon further exploration, I discovered that last year The Honest Kitchen, Inc. was given the Dog Food of the Year award by puplife.com, and that it donated just under twenty-five percent of its net profits to charity. 

As far as eco-friendly pet products are concerned, Pet Food Express carries a large supply of Worldwise toys, accessories, and bedding for cats and dogs. These products are made from recycled, biodegradable, or certified organic materials. Pet Food Express carries both SmartyKat and PoochPlanet brand names. PoochPlanet dog beds from Worldwise are filled with EcoRest, made from recycled plastic bottles, and cedar shavings from reclaimed cedar mill surpluses. To find the appropriate SmartyKat product for your kitty, Worldwise has a CompleteNeeds system wheel on their website that divides a cat’s needs by emotional, instinctual, and physical levels. I was surprised to find that they listed the most environmentally sustainable products in over one hundred product categories, ranging from beauty and hygiene to energy, on their Web site as well.

My investigation leads me to believe there are many easily accessible options out there, both locally in the Bay Area and beyond, for people who want to be eco-friendly in the decisions they make for their pets. Yes, it might mean spending more money, but it also means that you and your pet will be able to sleep better at night, knowing your choices will leave the Earth a better place for the next generation.  

Related story: Natural Pet Food—Home Delivered!