We saw and ad for a Healthy Pet Kit with Halo all-natural meals and snacks for dogs and cats.  Halo’s tag line is “You are what you eat” is true for animals as well as for us. Read the ingredients. Can you identify them? Are there inferior by-products, “meals” or chemicals?”  Many mass produced pet foods are made with items humans would not want to eat. The FDA has some regulations for pet food.

Organix dog food with organic ingredients.  Note the name is bordering on misleading as there is no definition for organic dog food. It is great that this food has never been recalled and uses no chicken meal or other rendered meats, but will it make your pet healthier? Halo gets a plug from Ellen DeGeneres for helping her cat. Even Amazon sells the stuff and has some positive reviews.  Newman’s even makes organic pet food.

There are books like Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food covering the ‘shocking facts’ like the one from Ann Martin.  Recommendations for the best pet food is balanced food that is home made. A pain to make but you probably guessed the answer.  All Recipes has a section full of pet food recipes.

Pet Obesity

Unfortunately pets are mirroring their owners obesity epidemic.  Obese pets are 30% above their normal weight, making 1/5 of dogs and cats fit this description.  It is important to not overfeed pets, to exercise them regularly, so that you prevent common diseases including diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure, and cancer.

More Eco Friendly Green Pet Tips:

To get rid of those pet odors on your carpet, sprinkle baking soda and vacuum.

Be sure to use all natural kitty litter that has no fragrances and no silica that can cause health problems.

Be sure to use eco friendly dog waste bags.

Pet Flea Collar Dangers

photo credit: me and the sysop

Natural Resources Defense Council analysis reveals that some pet flea collars can create toxic chemical residues on pet fur that threaten human health.

“In new scientific analysis also released today, NRDC found high levels of propoxur and tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP), another carcinogenic neurotoxin common in household pet products, on pet fur after use of ordinary flea collars. NRDC is also petitioning the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), calling for the removal of these chemicals from pet products.”

Their Green Paws website has guides on what to avoid.