Dog Treats

We all love to reward our pups with dog treats, but many of the commercial brands just aren’t good for them. Organic treats still have a fat content (which is good for dogs), but they use more whole meat sources, and some fruits and vegetables too.

Chewy Treats

• Get Naked Chews. Get Naked Chew sticks come in several varieties including one for weight management and one for puppies. The sticks have a tougher texture, so they’ll help with gum and teeth health too.
• Halo Spot’s Chew Dental Treats. Halo’s Dental Treats come in two flavors – pumpkin and mint – and are made from all-natural ingredients. Best of all, the formula won’t stain your carpet. My dog has horrid breath, but I did notice a huge improvement after I fed her a few of the mint flavored treats.
• Smart Pup Smoothie Treats. Ubuntu’s Smoothie Treats are a bit different then the chewy treats you’re used to buying, but my dog loves them. The smoothies come in a cup, filled with all natural ingredients. My dog goes crazy over these things, and she loves every flavor. It takes her about a half an hour to get through the whole cup and she will keep licking long after the treat is gone.

Crunchy Treats

• Cloud Star Buddy Biscuits. Buddy Biscuits are my dog’s all-time favorite dog treat. They’re made from organic ingredients, and come in a bunch of different flavors like molasses, bacon and cheese, and peanut butter. These treats are shaped like little Gingerbread Men and they’re easy to break apart. When I was training my dog, I broke them into about five pieces to use as rewards and they lasted much longer than the smaller reward treats do.
• Isle of Dogs Natural Treats. The Isle of Dogs Natural Treats contain no meat, but have plenty of antioxidants from fruits and veggies. The treats come in several flavors and are wheat and gluten-free to boot. However, the green pea flavor is not popular at the dog rescue where I volunteer. Some of the dogs will eat them, but most prefer the other flavors.
• Nature’s Variety Instinct. The Instinct Biscuits are 100% grain free and contain no preservatives or added chemicals. These treats have meat as a primary ingredient and come in several different flavors.

Play

Having toys around keeps your dog engaged, and may even save your shoes or couch cushions from a destructive mouth. Most commercial toys use rubber, plastic, and synthetic cloths – none of which is gentle on the environment. But eco-friendly toys use recycled products or sustainable materials to create durable, long-lasting dog toys.

Interactive Toys

• Orbee-Tuff Artichoke. The Orbee-Tuff Artichoke is made from sustainable materials. This toy has a treat spot inside, so you can stuff a small bone or some paste in and keep your dog occupied for hours. Plus, this toy is simply adorable.
• Stuff ‘N Fetch It. The Stuff ‘N Fetch It toy is made from recycled fire hose and Velcro. The toy has a soft container you can fill with treats and a small handle you can use to play fetch or tug-of-war. A word of warning for smart dogs – mine actually figured out how to unhook the Velcro with her teeth. Though it didn’t hurt the toy, this one might be better suited for a less curious type of dog.
• Tux. The Tux is an eco-friendly take on the popular Kong toys. You can stuff the toy with treats and it will bounce and roll around while your dog plays. Best of all, the Tux toy is dishwasher safe. My dog loves to play with this toy, whether it’s filled with a treat or not. If she smacks it with her paw, the toy bounces around and does a pretty good job of keeping her entertained.

Plush Toys

• Chiquito Banano. Chiquito Banano is made from organic cotton and has a dog-safe squeaker inside. This plush dog toy is adorable, but better suited for smaller breeds since it’s not that durable. Case in point, my 45-pounds of pure four-legged muscle had this thing shredded in about five minutes.
• Doggy Froggy. Doggy Froggy is made from corduroy and recycled materials. The inside has a squeaker inside, which lasted longer in my house than most squeakers do.
• Booda Plush. The Booda Plush comes in three different animals and two different sizes. The inside is filled with recycled material and the outside is made from organic wool. My pup loves the large-sized elephant.

Ropes and Balls

• Huck. The Huck is the size and shape of a tennis ball, but has a few grooves cut into the sides, which make it bounce around instead of roll. This toy also floats and comes with an indestructible guarantee. I have a few of these at the dog shelter and all the rescue dogs just love them.
• Owl and Ropes. This natural canvas Owl Rope is like two toys in one. The middle of the toy is an adorable cotton canvas owl with two rope ends, so your dog can chew, play fetch, or tug to his heart’s content.
• Hemp Ropes. These ropes are made from hemp, which is a sustainable material and better for the environment. Best of all, hemp is a bit stronger than most synthetic materials and can hold up against larger breeds and heavy chewers. My dog is famous for tearing ropes apart. She can actually unravel them so they become dozens of little ropes all over my house, but these hemp ropes stand up well against her heavy chewing and clever paws.

Dog Walks

It takes a lot of gear to manage a four-legged animal. You need a good leash, a collar, and sometimes a harness – especially if you’ve got a large breed on your hands. To do your part for the environment, buy eco-friendly pup gear made from recycled or sustainable materials.

Leashes

• Naturista Soy Leash. The Naturista leash is made from soy and comes in different colors. You can also personalize the leash with your dog’s name or your phone number. I have several leashes, but I use this one the most. It’s comfortable enough to wrap around your hand, but durable enough to stand up against pulling.
• Wagging Green Bamboo Leash. Wagging Green’s leash is made from sustainable bamboo and comes in different patterns. The bamboo is just as strong as any synthetic material and the leash has a sturdy metal clasp.
• Krebs Recycled Leash. Krebs recycled leashes are made from repurposed nylon climbing ropes and have a bit of spring, which is helpful for strong pullers. Plus, they come in a range of attractive colors. I use these leashes at the shelter and they work great, even with the untrained pups.

Collars

• Wagging Green Bamboo Dog Collar. Wagging Green’s bamboo collars are made entirely from bamboo and come in patterns that match the bamboo leashes.
• Recycled Bike Tubes Collar. The Cycle Dog collar is made from recycled bicycle tubes, which give the collar a bit of stretch. Plus, each collar has a steel and aluminum lock, which is almost impossible for your pup to break off. This is the collar of choice for my dog. I actually think the lock is pretty cute and my dog hasn’t Houdini’d herself free of it yet.
• Organic Cotton Collar. The Green Dog Love Organic Cotton Collar is made from 100% certified organic cotton and is available in different colors. The collar is soft and durable, but may not be suited for large breeds or heavy pullers. My dog managed to break herself free of this one. I think she just pulled so hard against it that the plastic buckle snapped, but I have given a few of these as gifts to friends with smaller dogs and they love them.

Harnesses

• Wagging Green Bamboo Dog Harness. The Wagging Green Bamboo Harness comes from 100% organic bamboo fibers and the mesh on the harness is certified for up to 2,000 pounds. The harness also has adjustable straps for a custom fit.
• Planet Dog Hemp Harness. Planet Dog’s hemp harness has a 100% hemp shell with a fleece lining, which is more comfortable for your pup and will help prevent chafing around the legs. My dog has a very thin coat and other harnesses have caused hair loss around her shoulder blades and chafing around her legs. I didn’t have any comfort problems with this harness and my dog loves it so much she doesn’t mind wearing it all day.
• Scrappy Pets Dog Harness. The Scrappy Pets dog harness comes from upcycled leather and aluminum. This is a step-in halter, which makes it harder for your pup to break free. Working with rescues and puppies, I’ve learned that almost any dog can break free of a halter and take off running. This halter seems to keep dogs in check, but it’s not very adjustable and you will need to measure your dog before ordering.

Bags

• Recycled Paper Dog Waste Bags. These dog waste bags are made from recycled paper, meaning they’re biodegradable and less harmful to the environment.
• Compostable Dog Bags. These compostable dog waste bags are made from corn and contain no harsh chemicals. The corn will break down into compost in 10-45 days, making them almost harmless to the environment. My local dog park keeps these bags on hand for visitors. They’re pretty thick for eco-friendly waste bags, so they cut down on the “ick” factor.
• Flush Puppies Biodegradable Waste Bags. These dog waste bags, Flush Puppies, are made from a biodegradable material that dissolves in water, so you can flush the bags in any residential toilet.

Baths

Regular bathing can keep your dog’s coat soft and shiny, but traditional pet shampoos and conditioners contain harsh chemicals that can irritate your dog’s skin or cause allergic reactions.

While you bathe your pup, those chemicals get down the drain and can pollute water streams. However, green dog shampoos and conditioners use natural ingredients, which are better for your pup and the pipes.

Shampoos

• Buddy Wash by Cloud Star. Cloud Star’s Buddy Wash uses a coconut base to create a good lather. The shampoo contains all natural ingredients and no alcohol, which can irritate your dog’s skin. The shampoo comes in three scents – Lavender and Mint, Rosemary and Mint, and Green Tea and Bergamot. When my dog was a puppy, she got into magic markers. Most of her white face and booties were rainbow-colored when I found her. Amazingly, this shampoo easily got it all off.
• Spa Comfort Shampoo. The Tropiclean Spa Comfort dog shampoo uses natural ingredients like lavender, oatmeal, and honey, which help soothe itchy skin. This is, by far, my favorite green dog shampoo. It smells amazing, the scent lasts several days, and my dog’s coat is always shiny and clean after a quick bath.
• Pal Dog Shampoo. The Pal Dog shampoo uses essential oils to clean and condition your pup’s skin and fur. The shampoo does not contain any parabens or harmful chemicals and comes in a variety of scents.

Conditioners

• Pal Dog Conditioners. The Pal Dog conditioner contains Aloe vera, sunflower seeds, and white tea extract. This conditioner works like a cream rinse and makes longer coats easier to brush.
• Cloud Star Buddy Rinse Dog Conditioner. Cloud Star’s Buddy Rinse Conditioner contains all-natural ingredients that help your dog’s coat stay healthy and soft. Buddy Rinse comes in one scent, Lavender and Mint, which compliments any of the Cloud Star dog shampoos. I thought coat conditioners were a little silly until I tried this one. The product helps maintain that just-from-the-bath softness on my dog.
• Eco-Me Dog Conditioner. The Eco-Me dog conditioner uses essential oils like grapefruit in place of harsher chemicals, and it rinses cleaner than traditional dog conditioners. This formula is also scent-free so it won’t overpower your dog’s nose.