Taking a healthy green approach in life does not just mean you. It also means your pets too. A little gradual change to your life and the life of your family pets may take patience and time. But you can achieve this with some will power, research and planning. Little steps every day can eventually make a huge difference to your environment and the planet. So, when shopping or living a green existence, rather than putting your footprint forward – instead keep your pet’s paw print in mind too.

Be Green, Save Life

Rather than buy a pet from a breeder or pet shop, why not adopt a pet from a rescue centre, it also means one less animal is trying to make it alone on the streets, and you would be saving their life.

Foster a Healthy Pet Diet

If you cannot stand the thought of spending money on expensive sustainable pet food, you could invest time and make your own. Although some vets and animal welfare specialists may frown upon giving your pets a raw diet, they have many benefits to the health of your pet and cut out unhealthy processed ingredients.

By making your pet food from natural ingredients, you at least know what they are eating and keep them healthy and fit all at the same time. However, before diving wholly into uprooting your pet’s routines, crashing or rushing in with a rapid change to your pet’s diet, you should speak to your vet first in case this is not the best approach.

Reduce the Plastic, Recycle Those Pet Toys

As you become more aware of the damage that plastics are causing seas and oceans around the globe, it may be necessary to consider alternative recyclable on plastic play toys for your pets. Look at investing in eco-friendly pet toys, search the internet. There are plenty of companies now passionate about using sustainable materials to create eco-friendly pet toys and products.

Be Pet Kind

Use organic pet shampoos and products, rather than washing them in products bulging with toxic dyes and parabens. Going organic is so much kinder to your pet, and they will love you for thinking about their fur and skin. By taking this step, you are also protecting your environment and saving the planet from excess chemicals ending up in the water table. 

Clean The Poop!

You may think that it is entirely natural to leave cat or dog poo, but it can be harmful to your natural environment. It could potentially contaminate water supplies or cause health issues for humans or other animals. Cat litter may also be a little bit of a green issue, as some brands contain toxic ingredients or silica that are potentially harmful to other animals and humans. Fortunately, some green alternatives use recycled newspaper, or softwood chips instead. 

For pets who go to the loo outside, you could use bags made from plant-based materials that decompose naturally. You could also take the poo home with you and flush it down the loo. In addition to this, you may consider popping the poo in your compost heap as long as you do not intend to eat whatever you are putting the manure on.

Walk To Keep Well

Your dog or puppy will be delighted to hear this phrase “Walkies” and leap at the opportunity to have you whizzing around the park, while social distancing. It is also healthier for you and means that you are not adding to carbon emissions from cars. Try and encourage your pets outside every day, to get some fresh air and sunshine. Play games to keep them outside and add a little fun to the process. You play games like catch and build an obstacle course, with treats as their prize.

Looking After Your Pets Health

Get your animal spayed or neutered; you will be benefiting your environment. Making sure that your pets are not up to any mischief, can also minimise any results of offsprings ending up in animal rescue centres, or catching unwanted diseases. 

Puppy and Dog Training The Humane Way

Taking a humane approach to disciplining your puppy or dog, means you stay positive and does not mean permissive. Many types of dog or puppy training use dominance as their central core of disciplining dogs or puppies.
The word discipline, within these two approaches, is dramatically different for each other.  Positive training uses a different approach, guiding dogs or puppies to make the right choices and allows your pet to think for themselves, rather than been issued a set of controlling orders they may not understand. Dominance and punishment-based training suppress the dog or puppies instincts and feelings, which is based on fear and can impact on the behaviour of your pet in the long term. 

Humane Discipline and Positive Dog or Puppy Training 

• Use constructive discipline to guide your dog or puppy in making the right choices.

• Do not inflict pain or fear in the dog or puppy.

• Influence your pet’s behaviour without using force.

• Use the following constructive techniques: Removal, Time outs, Removing items that your pet likes to play with, ignoring the behaviour and interrupting negative behaviour with a vocal interrupter device or a clicker.

Harsh punishments used by an inexperienced trainer are not only cruel, but they can also damage the trust between the dog and you as the owner. 
Taking the correct approach and making sure that you have your Puppy Trained Right. It will not only save you time and money but help you to bond naturally with your pet.  Be mindful in all of your actions as a pet owner, and your pets need love, care and support too just like you.

While you adapt to your green eco-friendly lifestyle, be gentle on yourself and your pets it may take time. Still, together you can reach your goal of living a sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle that makes a difference to your environment and the lives of your fellow humans and animals on planet Earth.