IN DOG WE TRUST

You recycle (and now hopefully upcycle). You buy organic eggs. You switched to natural cleaning products. But have you ever considered your dog's effect on the environment? And have you thought about what the environment's doing to your dog?

The answer: quite a lot. A 2008 study by the Environmental Working Group found that dogs are carrying around 48 different industrial chemicals in their bodies - many of them at much higher levels than what's found in people.

Key chemicals: flame retardants from beds, furniture, and polluted food; stain and grease-proofing chemicals from carpets, dog beds, and dog food packaging; and plastic softeners known as phthalates, which are found in products ranging from shampoos to toys.

The good news is you can reduce your dog’s carbon paw print dramatically, without overhauling your life. For grooming, accessories, toys and beds, go green with these recommendations.

Green grooming. TrueBlue has a line of gentle, high quality grooming products that are hypoallergenic, biodegradable, and free of detergents, sulfates, parabens and artificial colors. We've also been known to use Shaklee's multi-purpose, multi-fabulous Basic H - a well-to-do favorite, obvi - although it is not on the suggested uses list by Shaklee.

Be a green pooper-scooper. The ideal is to flush your dog's poop, so it will get the same treatment as, ahem, human waste. You can even buy flushable, biodegradable poop bags. The runner-up option is tossing a biodegradable poop bag in the trash. Switch from plastic grocery bags to biodegradable Poop Bags. Whatever you do, always clean up after your dog!

Accessorize with hemp. Fetch Dog and Olive Green Dog carry a wide-range of hemp and certified organic cotton corduroy harnesses, collars and leashes.

Eat earth-friendly. Fresh Licks' biodegradable, disposable sugarcane bowls are 100% sustainable and 100% tree-free. Perfect for travel, park, dog sitters, dog walkers, boarding and vet offices. Durable enough to reuse yet inexpensive enough to dispose.

Play safe. Made in the U.S.A., Purrfectplay’s organic plush bone is made with certified organic fibers and stuffed with organic cotton. Their wool balls are hand formed from sustainably produced dye-free wool. Each toy is processed using only gentle non-toxic soaps.

Snooze soundly. Big Shrimpy recycles clean polyester fiber waste to make their durable and fluffy pet beds. Eco Naps (pictured above) are washable mats made from recycled soda bottles. And for you Mainers, our friend Jess' business, Ramona and Beatrice, repurposes old suitcases into dog beds. Check out her Facebook page or her Etsy shop (she is currently working on new designs).

Think before you toss. Medications, flea treatments, and shampoos can all can wind up polluting soil and water if you simply toss them in the trash. To decide how to get rid of them safely, contact your local solid waste agency (call 1-800-CLEAN-UP to get the number or look in your phone book).

These are our suggestions, now you tell us yours. Let's get tails a-wagging!

xx S+S

Images courtesy of TrueBlue, Poop Bags, Olive, Dog Milk, Purrfectplay and West Paw.

This post was dedicated to the well-to-do team family dogs: Jasmine, Bailey, Riley & Eddy.

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