When we think about green living, we are often only considering things like recycling or living more naturally for ourselves, but there are so many ways that living a more natural life can affect those lives around us, even if they are our pets.
I have a cat that is pretty much like a third child. He has been with us for over 10 years now, and I admit to being a tiny bit of a bad cat mom because I spoil him just a bit too much. My husband is just as guilty, though, even though he swears he doesn’t ‘like’ our cat. For us, spoiling comes in many forms. It’s long, lazy afternoons cuddling him and allowing him to lie on us (even if it’s not a comfortable position for us), and treats of all kinds. It also comes in the form of living a more natural life and including him in it. Here are some ways you can incorporate green living with your cat:
Green Living and Your Cat
Watch certain essential oils around your cat – Many people who live a more natural lifestyle turn to essential oils for everything from aromatherapy to using for certain health issues. While some of these can actually be very nice for you as a human, consider that cats are very different and some essential oils like tea tree and peppermint could actually be very toxic to them, even for inhalation. Never use essential oils on your cat without talking to a vet first.
Reuse items to create toys for your feline friend – Rather than spending money on toys that are from the store that potentially contain things like plastic, why not make your own from stuff you might end up throwing away anyway? If you notice, cats play with some odd things, so they aren’t hard to please when it comes to toys. One of my favorite toys to make for my cat is made from old socks that lost their mate. I simply take a sock (preferably a kid sock or a small sock, not a tube style one) and fill it with organic catnip and then tie off the end. He will play with this sock toy for weeks and even go as far as to ‘guard’ it by laying on it and taking it with him to sleep.
Pay attention to his litter – Feline Pine™ Clumping Cat Litter is natural litter made from kiln-dried pine shavings (a by-product of the wood industry, so no new trees are being cut down!) that clumps and controls odor very well without synthetics perfumes. I like how it also doesn’t have a lot of dust because it has mineral oil, as we have asthmatics here. Make sure you check out the coupon for $1.00 off from Feline Pine™ Clumping Cat Litter, too!
Buy greener alternatives for your cat’s needs – There are so many things out there for cats that are simply not environmentally friendly. From non-recycled plastic litter pans and toys to unethically sourced ingredients in food. So many of these items will be horrible for the planet’s future. Instead, purchase products that are made from recycled/recyclable materials such as the ethically sourced bamboo litter box I have or a recycled rubber litter mat.
Consider using natural cleaners at home – When it comes to cleaning your home, you may not even consider how what you use impacts your cats. Cats have very sensitive upper respiratory and nasal passages and some chemicals used to clean a common household can be horrible for them leading to breathing issues like wheezing. Instead, use natural alternatives or even make some of your own. Arm & Hammer™ Baking Soda™ and mild castile soaps are some of my very favorite things I keep in my cleaning arsenal.
What is one way you go green in regards to your cat? Answer this question for a chance to win a $100 Visa gift card from Feline Pine™ Clumping Cat Litter! Make sure to follow Feline Pine™ Cat Litter on Facebook and on Instagram at @armandhammercat.
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