Going Green with Our Best Furry Friends

These days, it’s all the rage to “go green.”

You know—eat organic food, use all-natural cleaning products and cosmetics, etc. However, the green movement is not just a fad. It contributes to the preservation of our world and, on a personal level, helps us to live healthier, more natural lives.

Did you know “going green” is better not just for us, but also for our bffs (best furry friends)?

By selecting organic and all-natural alternatives in every area of our lives, we can help our environment while also contributing to the health, happiness, and longevity of our pets. In this new column, we’ll explore all the ways you can “green” your dogs. Food, soaps, toys, beds, collars and more are all ripe for an environmentally friendly focus.

Let’s start with creating a healthier environment for your pets:

The simplest way to begin is to switch to all-natural cleaners. Trust me: it’s not as hard as it may seem. You may think chemicals evaporate with cleaning fluids. But they don’t. Floor cleaners can be harsh on your dog’s delicate nose. Some can even be toxic! Most cleaners come with a “do not ingest” warning, but if your curious dog happens to lick your floors, he has done just that.

Often, the best way to turn your house into a green environment is to forego buying your typical chemical cleaners and instead check out your pantry. Chances are, you’ve already got all the ingredients you need to clean your house with safe, organic products.

White vinegar, for example, is a cheap and safe natural cleaner. It can be used directly on hard floors to clean up most spills and neutralize odors, and best of all, it’s free of toxic chemicals or other irritants.

Baking soda is another great, safe cleaner. Like vinegar, baking soda is perfectly safe to use around your pet and can save you money by helping you avoid harsher, more expensive stain removers. Baking soda can be safely used to remove stains on carpet. When paired with club soda (or other carbonated water), it can be an effective way to combat more alarming carpet stains, such as blood or wine.

After using such safe alternatives to clean up a mess, particularly a pet mess, try looking at alternatives to air-fresheners (which are also full of chemicals) to deodorize the room. Try investing in a few all-natural soy or beeswax scented candles. Your room will smell wonderful after just a few minutes—just remember to place the candles out of reach of your pets!

In future columns, I will go into greater detail regarding the various ways you and your dog can adopt a greener lifestyle together, so stay tuned for more tips!

Feedback is always appreciated, so if you have any questions you’d like to see addressed in this column, feel free to send them in. I’m interested in helping as many ways as possible, and the easiest way to do so is to gather ideas from readers.

Sharon Harvey is owner of Charleston Naturally an eco-chic boutique specializing in natural, organic and sustainable products and gifts for home, pets, baby and beauty located online at www.CharlestonNaturally.com and 918 Lansing Drive Mt. Pleasant, SC.