Big debate: Which pet has a lower impact on the environment; a dog or a cat?

There's a big debate going on over at Yahoo Answers about which pet has a lower impact on the environment; a dog or a cat? Michael C starts off the conversation with:

I've noticed a dramatic increase in the number of dog owners in the city where I live. In addition to the fact that the dogs don't have much space to roam (I live downtown), I've noticed that there is a lot of feces on the sidewalks, and that so many dogs are peeing on neighborhood bushes that the plants are dying. Since the feces and urine ultimately end up in my local body of water, there must be some environmental impact to this dog ownership surge. On the other hand, cats use litter boxes, and those get sent to the landfill, so I'm wondering which pet people think is a more environmentally responsible choice.

What do you think? Leave us a comment, let us know your thoughts.

Tips: How to make a great pet bed!

Lori Marie, over at Pretty Little Things, has an amazingly thorough tutorial on how to make a fabulous pet bed using scraps of fabric you just may have lying around the house. We just had to share it. Thanks Lori! What a great way to save the environment and your pocketbook!

News: Whole Foods Market to eliminate plastic bags!

Beginning on Earth Day, April 22, 2008, Whole Foods Market, based in Austin, Texas and with stores all across the country (including the recently purchased Wild Oats) will stop providing plastic bags as an option to bag purchases. According to the Whole Foods Market website: We’re going all out for reusable! “Paper or plastic?” is soon to be a question of the past at our stores. When you come to shop, bring any bags you have on hand. Really, any bag will do – old, new, paper, plastic, fabric, even backpacks or woven baskets! You’ll feel good about helping our environment and we’ll even give you a refund of at least 5 cents per bag. Better BagWe make it easy by offering a wide selection of reusable bags for sale at our stores — check out our “Better Bag” — only 99 cents and it’s made from recycled plastic bottles. Helping the environment in two ways! Why Eliminate Plastic? Thousands of reasons!

• It can take more than a thousand years for a disposable plastic bag to break down in a landfill.
• Most reusable bags can be used thousands of times and there are so many reusable bag options!
• Thousands of customers and Team Members support our Core Value to “care about our communities and the environment.”

So what about paper? We aren’t trying to settle the “paper vs. plastic” debate. We say “reuse!” instead. But when you don’t reuse, our 100% recycled (and recyclable) paper bags are the way to go. "For those customers who are concerned about what they are going to do with their dog waste, we are looking into carrying a biodegradable bag just for those shoppers," said Beth Mohan of Whole Foods. Read more!

Pup Products: Organic Tees!

Fun dog-themed tees - all organic! Organic T-shirts are the next best thing to nothing, naturally. * 4.8 oz. Ultra fine combed ring spun organic cotton, great for layering * Vintage fit (size up for a looser fit) * Made in the U.S.A. Shelter Dog Organic Cotton Tee Dogprints 2 Organic Cotton Tee Alpha Dog Organic Cotton Tee Pet Hard (Dog) Organic Cotton Tee Hug a Mutt Organic Cotton Tee dog walker Organic Cotton Tee Down Dog Organic Cotton Tee

Environmental Products: Flush it!

Looking for a convenient, environmentally safe way to dispose of the 'doo'? There's a new product on the market called Flush Puppies that promises to revolutionize the way two-leggers rid themselves of the stink and inconvenience of getting rid of pup waste. Tribune photo illustration by Jay Conner. Flush Puppies are poo bags that breakdown in cold water, so they are flushable. What does this mean?

• No more bags and bags of dog poop sitting in landfills taking 20-100 years to breakdown.
• No more dog poo leaching into the ground water that could be used for fishing, swimming.

According to TampaBayOnline.com:

After some Internet research, company founder, owner and product inventor, Chris Mercer, discovered bags made of polyvinyl alcohol, or PVA. Hospitals often use bags made of PVA because staff can fill them with dirty linens, then toss the whole bag into washing machines, where the PVA dissolves in hot water, keeping staff and handling equipment cleaner. Mercer contracted with bag engineers to develop material that dissolves in the cold water of a toilet. The first prototypes worked, and when Mercer ended up at graduate school at the University of Florida, his fellow students said he had a hot idea. Two friends at UF signed on to the new company: Josh Spoont, 27, and Paul Sharobeem, 29. Late last year, the first official Flush Puppies products hit stores and went on sale online: $3.99 for a pack of 15 bags, roughly a one to two-week supply per dog.

Click here for more info and a review of the product! Now all we have to do it teach the cat to flush! No problem...

Pup Products: Going natural for pain and inflamation!

Some of you may have heard that I haven't been feeling so well since my agility trial this past weekend. I saw my vet on Sunday at the trial and she thinks I have a pulled muscle. I go back today for another visit and update.

Being the sports nut that I am, I get sore sometimes. All that jumping and weaving can be pretty taxing for even the healthiest of pups. And I've had some other injuries in my life.

So what does my Mum do for me when I get sore and tired muscles, or have other ouches? She goes right for the Traumeel.

Traumeel Tablets 100ct Bottle

Traumeel Ointment 100gm Tube

I don't take well to any type of pain medications that have been prescribed to me, they almost always irritate my stomach and then I just feel worse. So Mum has used Traumeel topically on my back when I had surgery from the dog attack, she also applied it on the sores that my cast made when I got my broken foot. She's put it on my dislocated toe and now is giving it to me in tablet form to heal my overall soreness. She even puts it on my paw pads when they get sore from running on Astroturf.

Vets are raving about this homeopathic, to help aid in healing and relieving the pain of arthritis, inflammation of the muscles, organs and more, for burns, skin injuries, other topical problems - and much, much more. Here is more information on Traumeel - and the next time you are at the vet, ask them about Traumeel in helping your pup heal.

What is Traumeel you ask?

Heel Inc. markets products which are officially classified as homeopathic, including Traumeel.

Although the scientific support behind some forms of complementary medicine is sparse, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials have been published in reputable peer-reviewed journals (e.g. The Lancet, Pediatrics, British Medical Journal) which scientifically support the clinical effectiveness of homeopathy in general, and Heel/BHI products in particular.

All of the Heel Inc. products are formulated according to a concept called homotoxicology; a bridge between classical homeopathy and conventional pharmacology. In general, Heel Inc. products are combination formulations which contain measurable amounts of active ingredients and are used to treat specific indications. In other words, homotoxicological products are easy to use and understand for a health care practitioners trained within the conventional medical paradigm as well as those trained in nonconventional medicine.

A good example of this is Traumeel, an effective NSAID without side effects. Refer to page 1237 of the 1997 Physician's Desk Reference and page 1187 of 1998 PDR.

Traumeel is an anti-inflammatory, analgesic, anti-edematous, anti-exudative combination formulation of 12 botanical and 2 mineral substances. Traumeel is officially classified as a homeopathic combination remedy. It is indicated for the temporary relief of symptoms associated with inflammatory, exudative, and degenerative processes due to acute trauma (such as contusions, lacerations, fractures, sprains, post-operative wounds, etc.), repetitive or overuse injuries (such as tendinitis, bursitis, epicondylitis, etc.), and for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with such conditions. Traumeel is also indicated for the temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with backache, muscular aches, and the minor pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, gouty arthritis, and ankylosing spondylitis.

Traumeel is made up of these 12 botanicals - here they are listed with their individual suggestions for condition:

Belladonna 4X (shooting pain along limbs; cold extremities; stiff neck), 75 mg; Arnica montana, radix 3X (after traumatic injuries; sore, lame, bruised feeling; muscular tonic), 40 mg; Aconitum napellus 3X (numbness and tingling of extremities; arms feel lame and bruised; inflammatory rheumatism), 30 mg; Chamomilla 3X (promotes healing of slowly healing wounds), Symphytum officinale 8X (injuries to sinews and tendons; specific for healing of fractures), 24 mg each; Calendula officinalis 2X (minor burns and scrapes; analgesic), Hamamelis virginiana 2X (bruised soreness; varicose veins; hemorrhoids with soreness), Millefolium 3X (minor bleeding; piercing headaches), Hepar sulphuris calcareum 8X (tendency to suppuration; hypersensitivity to cold and draughts of air), Mercurius solubilis 8X, (suppurations; reduces edemas), 15 mg each; Hypericum perforatum 3X (nerve injuries; puncture wounds), 8 mg; Bellis perennis 2X (boils; muscular soreness), Echinacea angustifolia 2X (anti-inflammatory action), Echinacea purpurea 2X (anti-inflammatory, anti-infection), 6 mg each in a lactose base.

Pup Products: All-natural and organic foods and treats!

We've had a lot of people ask us about safe food for your pups. One of our my favored sites for purchasing all natural and organic foods is Only Natural Pet Store. They have an amazing selection of dry, wet, all natural, organic, and raw foods and treats. And they have other products like vitamins and supplements, organic and recycled beds, hemp collars, organic toys, herbal supplements, safe cleaning products, and much more making it a great destination shopping experience for a green dog! Some of the brands that they carry include: Bravo!, Merrick, Breeders Choice, Newman's Own, Bach Flower Remedies, Vetri-Science, Honest Kitchen, Kong, Nature's Variety, Wysong, Solid Gold, EarthDog, RuffWear, RawAdvantage, Karma, Zukes and much, much more. And now you can save 5% on orders over $75.00! Here are some great examples:

NV Freeze Dried Chicken & Turkey 95% ground USDA meat, organs, and bones. Organic sprouts, fruits, vegetables, and cold processed Norwegian Virgin Salmon Oil. Karma Organic Dog Food 15.4 lb. Bag Holistically balanced for complete nutrition and made with over 95% organic ingredients including free-range chicken. C&P Organix Dog Cookies Peanut Butter All natural organic dog cookies with organic chicken as the #1 ingredient! Now available in Cheese and Peanut Butter Flavors too. Justin's Peanut Butter Squeeze Packs - 10 Pack This delicious peanut butter is made from the highest quality natural and organic ingredients. Etta Says! Salmon Skin Treats Freeze-dried meaty treats made from 100% human-grade beef, chicken or lamb. Now in 2 new fishy flavors: Salmon and Cod. Yumm! Raw Advantage Beef Bones Small 2 lbs. Nothing but fresh frozen USDA free range beef bones for the ultimate natural chew treat. Hand cut to provide maximum marrow exposure.

Environmental Products: For the home, safe, healthy and happy!

Looking for more great environmentally and pet friendly cleaning products? Check these out! Ecos-Pet Laundry Detergent

A specially formulated laundry detergent for your pets clothing, linens, beds, etc. Free of essential oils, fabric softeners and optical brighteners, it is ideal for pets and their owners with skin sensitivities. Safe for your pet, for you, and for the environment.

Get Serious!

Get Serious! is a non-enzyme, nontoxic, biodegradable pet stain and odor remover that safely removes anything your pet tracks in or leaves behind. The revolutionary bubbles penetrate the padding all the way to the flooring and lift stains, odors and the pheromone to the surface where they are completely blotted out.

Castor & Pollux Out Spot! Stain & Odor Remover

Enzyme fortified for multiple uses, Out Spot! works on the toughest problems like urine, vomit, feces, mildew, spoiled food - even red wine and coffee. Natural enzymes break down proteins, to effectively remove stains and odors, leaving behind a clean, fresh citrus scent.

ecoPure Naturals 16oz Odor & Spot Remover

Biodegradable, nonpathogenic Natural Odor & Spot Remover is safe, effective and natural, without harmful bleaches or acids. Natural Odor & Spot Remover breaks down and removes the sources of odor and soiling through the action of natural enzymes. Enzymes are activated in the presence of moisture and organic material such as those found in pet waste (urine and fecal waste).

Natumate Pet Stain & Odor Remover

Using natures way to remove stains and odors, Natumate is ideal for removing stains/odors due to Pet Accidents, Urine, Vomit, Blood, and Food and other natural waste by-products on dirty laundry, fabric, carpeting, tile, sealed wood floors, upholstery, and furniture. Safe for your pet, for you, and for the environment.

PureAyre Odor Eliminator

PureAyre is the only odor eliminator made from California Class 60 food-grade enzymes. Most enzyme-based odor eliminators contain bacteria that produce the enzymes. PureAyre contains no live bacteria, just pure enzymes.

Sal Suds Liquid Cleaner

SAL SUDS is our hard-surface all-purpose cleaner. It is a balanced formulation of plant-based surfactants with natural spruce and fir-needle oils: it cleans and rinses with exceptional power, yet is mild and gentle on the skin.

All Temperature Laundry Liquid

Extremely Concentrated and Effective, & Costs Less Per Load! Only 1 ounce per full load gets fabrics cleaner, brighter, and softer than ever, even in cold or hard water. Environmentally friendly with no negative effects on rivers, streams, plants or wildlife. Biodegrades rapidly. No animal testing or ingredients.

Oprah goes green!

The Oprah Show today featured simple ways you can help the environment. Check out the details here! One idea that we wanted to point out from the show is this! A great way to help your pet go green, keep your pet safe and healthy, and help the environment is to use environmentally friendly cleaning products. Shaklee, the company that has been producing natural cleaning products — everything from dryer sheets to stain removers — for 50 years is providing Oprah.com viewers with a wonderful discount - 33 percent off on the Shaklee Healthy Home pack and 15 percent off all other items at Shaklee. Call 800-670-6251 or visit www.shaklee.com to save. The show also features some great products from Mrs. Meyers, one of our personal favorites. Mum loves the handsoap because of the wonderful lavender smell! And they have some amazing pet products as well!

Tell us what you'd like to know!

Take a quick minute and tell us what you'd like to read and learn more about from our Raise A Green Dog blog! On the right column of our blog (under my most handsome pic) is our new poll!