August is National Dog Month! It's the perfect time to reflect on the joy and companionship dogs bring humans. Dogs do more than fill our hearts with wagging tails and smile-raising antics. They reduce stress, lower anxiety, and encourage people to participate in healthy activities. Let's reciprocate their unconditional love with care that enhances their lives.
Pet owners should consider using organic lawn care methods to reduce toxic pesticides and create a safer environment for their dogs because conventional lawn care products often contain harmful chemicals that pose significant health risks. Synthetic pesticides and fertilizers can linger on grass and soil and create a very unsafe environment for your dog to run around and play. When dogs come into contact with the chemicals contained in these products, they can absorb them through their skin or ingest them by licking their paws, potentially leading to serious health issues such as skin irritations, respiratory problems, and even long-term illnesses like cancer.
Organic lawn care methods, like the ones utilized by us here at Be Green Pro, include natural ingredients and processes that are safe for your furry friends and the environment. Organic fertilizers are a great place to start, as they have the ability to enhance your lawn’s soil profile without posing any risk to children or pets who like to spend time rolling around in the dirt. Pesticides, fungicides, weed killers, and other products all have organic alternatives that should be explored by responsible pet owners.
One of the best things you can do around the yard to ensure the safety of your 4-legged friends is to create gardens with non-toxic plants, ensuring that any curious nibbles remain worry-free. Dogs often explore their environment with their mouths, making it crucial to avoid plants that can cause harm if ingested. Many common garden plants that look beautiful may seem harmless, but many beautiful species of flowers and shrubs can be toxic to dogs, leading to symptoms ranging from mild stomach upset to severe poisoning, requiring emergency veterinary care. It is vital to the health of your pooch that you plant only non-toxic plants around your yard.
Non-toxic plants also reduce the need for constant supervision, allowing for more relaxed and enjoyable time in the garden for both you and your furry friend. Having a safe, dog-friendly yard can contribute to your pet's mental and physical well-being, as they have the freedom to engage with their environment, exercise, and satisfy their natural curiosity. Consider the following plants for your property if pet safety is a priority for you:
Using natural insect repellents in your yard to protect dogs offers numerous benefits, both for your pets and the environment. Traditional chemical-based insecticides can be harmful to dogs, causing allergic reactions, skin irritations, and even more severe health issues if ingested or absorbed through the skin. Natural insect repellents, on the other hand, often utilize ingredients like essential oils, herbs, and other non-toxic substances that are safe for dogs. Oils such as cedarwood, lavender, and eucalyptus are known for their insect-repelling properties and are generally safe for use around pets when properly diluted. These natural options help protect dogs from pests like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, which can carry Lyme disease, heartworm, and other parasites.
Natural repellents often have fewer adverse effects on the environment compared to their synthetic counterparts. Chemical insecticides can contaminate soil and water sources, harm beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, and disrupt local ecosystems. In contrast, natural repellents break down more easily and are less likely to cause long-term environmental damage. They also tend to have a lower carbon footprint, reducing the overall environmental impact.
As pet owners become increasingly conscious of their environmental footprint and the health of their furry friends, many are turning to homemade dog food and treats. This approach not only ensures that dogs receive high-quality, nutritious meals but also promotes the use of sustainable resources, reducing the reliance on commercial pet foods that may contain questionable ingredients.
Homemade recipes allow you to choose high-quality, organic, and locally sourced ingredients, ensuring that your dog’s food is free from harmful additives, preservatives, and fillers often found in commercial pet foods. You can customize meals to meet your dog’s specific dietary needs, whether they require a grain-free diet, have food allergies, or need weight management. Best of all, making your own dog food at home is cost-effective and fun! Below are a couple of easy recipes for a meal and a treat that your dog (and your wallet) are sure to appreciate.
Chicken & Vegetable Stew
Cook the chicken in a large pot until fully cooked, then remove and chop into small pieces. In the same pot, add the water or chicken broth and bring to a boil. Add the vegetables and cook until tender.
Ingredients:
Peanut Butter & Pumpkin Treats
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large bowl, mix the pumpkin, peanut butter, and eggs until well combined. Gradually add the flour until the dough forms, then roll out the dough and cut it into desired shapes using cookie cutters. Bake for 20-25 minutes.
Ingredients:
Choosing eco-friendly toys and biodegradable waste bags for your pets is crucial in reducing environmental impact and promoting a more sustainable lifestyle. Eco-friendly toys, often made from natural materials such as hemp, cotton, or recycled plastics, help decrease the demand for new plastic production, which is a significant contributor to pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. These toys are designed to be durable, reducing the frequency of replacements and, consequently, waste.
Biodegradable waste bags offer a more sustainable alternative to traditional plastic bags, which can take hundreds of years to decompose in landfills. Made from materials like cornstarch and hemp, these bags break down much faster, minimizing their environmental footprint. Using biodegradable bags ensures that pet waste is managed responsibly, reducing the volume of plastic waste that contributes to environmental degradation.
We love our furry friends here at Be Green Pro. We want to encourage all of our readers to take these small steps and give back to our 4-legged companions who give so much to us. Join Be Green Pro in celebrating dogs this month by participating in the "Lucky Dog" photo showcase. Check the events calendar for details, and share thanks for all dogs who make humans happier!
Whether it’s your lawn, trees, shrubs, or pest issues – we’re ready to help you with Eco-friendly solutions. No matter what season.