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For many, being eco-friendly started as a trend, but it has quickly caught on and become much more. For many, it has become a way of life for not only for Americans but for many around the world. However, one area of life that is frequently overlooked though, when talking about eco-friendly initiatives are our four-legged family members that run freely around our homes – our pets.

Pet maintenance is a billion dollar industry in this country and, unfortunately, many of the commonly used products for pet care are not meeting our new ‘green’ expectations. Similarly, many of the products that we use around the house for pest controlwhich can be potentially harmful to the environment are also a potential threat to our pets.

Clean Your Dog Green

Avoiding extra unwanted dirt, mud, and pests in your home means regularly bathing your pet, because dogs just get dirty. Choosing eco-friendly, organic shampoos is a great way to begin making the transition to a greener approach to animal care. As an added benefit, these naturally made products tend to be nicer to the dog’s skin and especially favored by owners of pets with sensitivities.

Forget the Clumps

When it’s not a dog, but rather a cat that you must care for, turn to organic litter options, rather than the strip-mined clumping clay for the litter box. The process for securing the latter is very damaging to the planet.

Prevent Pests

Many pet owners turn to commercially produced, toxic flea and tick prevention measures. Not only is this a very expensive means of trying to keep the common household irritants away, it is also bad for the planet and dangerous for the animals. Today, there are many natural flea and tick control and prevention products that are equally as effective without the potential for harm to the earth or your loved ones. If your home is already infested with the troublesome bugs, contact a company that practices green pest control and ask about eco-friendly treatment options. There are some available today and the professional touch can help to ensure that you get rid of the problem immediately, rather than letting the pests feed on your animals for months or years to come. Keep in mind that thorough cleaning of your home, including basements and other areas that might be damp, is a great step in reducing the issue until the specialists can come in and clean up the rest.

It should also be noted that animal feces is an invitation for other common household pests. Cleaning up after your pet or setting aside a particular part of the year, furthest from the house, is an excellent way to naturally reduce the risk of future insect infestations.