This blog post was originally published on Keen For Green in February 2011, but it's such useful information that we like to repost it every winter.
I don't know about the rest of you, but I can tell you that we in the Midwest have had the snowiest, iciest, coldest winter in decades, and it's really gotten me thinking. Since I became a dog mom in January of 2002 I've heard that ice melt is bad for dogs. This has led me to always keep a mat at my front door and religiously take off my shoes the moment I enter the house. I've also stopped using any ice melting product in the back yard, my dog's domain. But is there any truth to this ice melt rumor? If so, what exactly can ice melt to do a dog?
According to the ASPCA, it is the sodium chloride and calcium chloride in the most common ice melts that is potentially damaging to the puppy in your life. If your dog walks on an ice melt containing one of these chemicals, her paws can become dry and cracked. And if she licks her paws or eats the ice melt (the ASPCA cautions that she can also ingest it by drinking from a puddle of melted snow containing ice melt), her problems can get worse. The ASPCA lists symptoms from as mild as excessive drooling and loss of appetite to as severe as decreased muscle function, coma, and death. ... read more
My cat loves Zuke's G-Zees cat treats and now it's your chance to WIN three bags of the pet treats of your choice! Zuke's offers a variety of dog and cat treats, so no matter which furry friend you have, you can choose the appropriate treats! Zuke's is a green company and Keen For Green is happy to partner with them for this giveaway.... read more
Although all dogs don't love riding in the car, most will be good sports about it with some TLC and training. Some people medicate pets with sedatives for long journeys. If you travel a lot this can become problematic. Over time your pet might develop a dependency on medication for travel or suffer from side effects. There are much better ways to get the pup excited (and then calm) about riding in the car.
Ease Anxiety Naturally
Well-known dog whisperer Cesar Millan says that dog owners have the power to calm their dogs with their voices, attitudes and body language. If you are calm and pleasant, your dog will be too. If your dog is prone to anxiety and you plan to take a long trip, natural products that use herbs like ginger and lavender ease tension. They work the same way a warm, herbal-infused cup of tea eases human stress. One product, Travel Calm, is a spray mist that sells for about $12 at pet health food stores, and can reduce restlessness and nausea.... read more
Just wanted to let everyone know that there's a sale going on at SeaYu’s Clean+Green natural pet stain and odor removers. From now until January 2nd, you can get 50% off your purchase of three cans or more of Clean+Green when you use coupon code HOLIDAYPET.
Today we have a blog post by Lindsay Rubin of Arcanatura natural pet products about the importance of going green with your pets! Thanks for an excellent guest blog post, Lindsay!
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If you already live an active, green lifestyle, going green for your pet may be easier than you think. Most traditional pet products have endless lists of chemicals that are hard to pronounce and harder on your pet’s body. These chemicals build up in our environment, polluting its sensitive waters while also causing greater problems for your pet like itching, paw licking, or overall sensitive skin. ... read more
Environmental organizations such as Greenpeace recently began to put pressure on YUM!Brands, parent company of many large fast food restaurants, due to the immense damage they are doing to tropical rainforests. YUM! Owns chains including Taco Bell, KFC, Pizza Hut, A&W and Long John Silvers and has over 38,000 locations across the globe.... read more
Uh oh. What to do when Pepe LePew makes it into your backyard and sprays your beloved Fido?
First, make sure your dog hasn't been bitten. If it looks like there's been a bite, call your vet immediately. Also, check your dog's eyes. If they are red, the skunk might have sprayed in your dog's eyes. It won't blind your dog but it can be painful so be sure to call a vet in that case, too.
You've probably heard about the old tomato juice remedy. Tomato juice really just masks the smell and doesn't really help get rid of it. [source] Instead, here is a recipe for a deskunker with items you probably have in your house already:... read more
So, chances are, if you’re reading this site, that you’re pretty green, or maybe you think you are, or at least you’re trying to be. And, honestly, that’s more than half the battle. And, if you think you aren’t but you want to be, that’s still more than half the battle. But, for the sake of this article, I’m just going to assume you’re green and you’re taking care of yourself and your home in that way. But, what I’ve seen far too often, is that the family Fido gets left out. He still eats a mixture of who knows what (Ol’ Roy or the drugstore variety of food?). His bowls are plastic, his bed is made from the local Petsmart variety, and his walks are sparse.... read more
I don't know about the rest of you, but I can tell you that we in the Midwest have had the snowiest, iciest, coldest winter in decades, and it's really gotten me thinking. Since I became a dog mom in January of 2002 I've heard that ice melt is bad for dogs. This has led me to always keep a mat at my front door and religiously take off my shoes the moment I enter the house. I've also stopped using any ice melting product in the back yard, my dog's domain. But is there any truth to this ice melt rumor? If so, what exactly can ice melt to do a dog? 
Although all dogs don't love riding in the car, most will be good sports about it with some TLC and training. Some people medicate pets with sedatives for long journeys. If you travel a lot this can become problematic. Over time your pet might develop a dependency on medication for travel or suffer from side effects. There are much better ways to get the pup excited (and then calm) about riding in the car.
So, chances are, if you’re reading this site, that you’re pretty green, or maybe you think you are, or at least you’re trying to be. And, honestly, that’s more than half the battle. And, if you think you aren’t but you want to be, that’s still more than half the battle. But, for the sake of this article, I’m just going to assume you’re green and you’re taking care of yourself and your home in that way. But, what I’ve seen far too often, is that the family Fido gets left out. He still eats a mixture of who knows what (Ol’ Roy or the drugstore variety of food?). His bowls are plastic, his bed is made from the local Petsmart variety, and his walks are sparse.