Pet tips: Five ways to go green with pet care

1. Spot On

Should your furry friend leave a little mess on the floor, don’t reach for the bleach. Use vinegar instead. This environment-friendly liquid can act as an effective odor-remover and can kill mold and bacteria. Please keep in mind, though, that vinegar must be diluted correctly with water.

While we’re on the topic of mess – use disposable poop bags when picking up after your pooch. For our cat enthusiasts, try alternate litters made from pine, wheat, corn or newspaper. Also, invest in a sturdy metal litter scooper – you won’t have to worry about it breaking or cracking for a lifetime of scooping.

2. Make Pet Toys Out of Recyclable Materials

Instead of going out and buying new toys for your pet, get in touch with your creative side and craft your own. Using recyclable household materials such as old tennis balls, rope and socks, you can create a myriad of toys for your pets that can keep then entertained for hours. Placing cat nip inside of a paper bag can keep your pet entertained for hours.

3. Bulk Up

Buy pet supplies – like food and cat litter in bulk or the largest available size. You’ll make fewer trips to the store and cut down on packaging to discard of.

4. Grow Your Own Catnip

Your cat will love you for growing your own catnip. Just like humans, our pets deserve to eat the most natural, organic, and healthy foods. A green and low cost alternative to buying catnip, by growing your own your cat will be spared from pesticides or other potentially harmful chemicals or additives.

5. Adopt

Looking to add another pet to the family? Then adoption is the way to go! Not only is rescuing a pet from a shelter a great cause, it is also a great way to help the environment. Adoption is in essence recycling a pet that was, at one time, unwanted and will now be given a home. An inexpensive way to become a pet owner, adoption is a great way to go green while saving green.

Listen to It’s Raining Cats and Dogs on KIRO Radio every Sunday at 1 p.m for more tips from the Seattle Humane Society. Also listen anytime ON DEMAND at KIRORadio.com.

Also, don’t miss this week’s pet of the week: Lizzie. Meet her at the Seattle Humane Society today.