Dogs are more than just companions. They're friends, family, your true mates and the ones you look forward to seeing the most when you're back home from a long-hard day of work. So it's natural for you to want the best for your furry friend. With shelves loaded with pet products, trying to have what's essential in your cart along with a few indulgences can be extremely confusing. And what's up with those confusing ingredients lists?
And like most issues with mass produced, commercial products – not all things you find online and in stores are the best for your pup. So we've put together a few must-haves for your pet that we have natural alternatives to.
Exercise is vital for dogs and the threat of losing their pets in an unfortunate event is so real that most people who are parents to dogs get them a leash and a collar. The problem with most collars is that they're known to cause injuries, whiplash, damage to skin tissue, paralysis and brain damage. This is especially true for metal collars that both choke and pierce their skin. Shock collars are ethically and psychologically damaging as well. Buckle collars are the most popular, but can also cause the above problems especially if they pull or lunge. Get your pet an eco-friendly cotton padded collar that's comfortable around the neck and can be worn a little loose as well.
Bath time is fun for some pets and really disastrous for others. Fact remains that baths are essential to keep up with hygiene and prevent illnesses. However just as products for humans are filled with chemicals, products for pets are full of toxins, synthetic fragrances, parabens, sulphates and other harmful chemicals . These cause rashes and itchiness, but more importantly health problems for both your pet and your family. Choose natural soaps and shampoos over these.
Dry, cracked, itchy, flaky and painful skin conditions have us rushing to find the nearest moisturizer. The same problems affect your pets. Their paws absorb shock and protect their joints, help them distinguish between types of terrains, and provide protection from the said terrains when they get rough. Yet most of us neglect this aspect of our dogs' health. Relieve your pet of ever having to go through painful paws by massaging them with an all natural paw balm.
Whether to let your friend know they're cute, they're loved or to tell them they've been a good friend- the happiness that comes with treats is worth all the effort of buying them for them. Why not go the extra mile and see if they're also healthy and delicious. Pet food has been known to cause kidney failures, obesity, arthritis and more. This is also because most commercial pet products are made with cheap by-products. Get your pet some natural and homemade treats and food to save them from the pain of having to eat artificially produced food.
This one's got a lot of uses, but to be honest, we just think they're really cool. Get yourself an eco-friendly tote that screams 'dog-parent' and how much you love your furry friend. While you're at it, you could also take some all natural treats and stash the leash in there for a bit when you take your dog to the park.