Living in the city means you have to pick up after your dog, but most bags designed for the job are just creating more plastic for the landfill.

These biodegradable bags are the green alternative. They look like plastic and are strong enough and thick enough  to do the job with no mess, but will break down in the compost  quite quickly.

Of course you don’t want to add dog poop to a compost heap that will be used on your veggie garden, but  you could create a separate compost heap for using on ornamental plants if you are planning to compost these yourself.

Otherwise you can just drop them in the trash, knowing that at least the poop bag won’t be creating a plastic island in the middle of any oceans any time in the future.

Pack of 100 bags costs $9.95 from at SitStay.com

The smell of wet dogs isn’t most people’s favorite perfume, but chemical air fresheners are often even worse. If you are looking for a natural way of getting rid of pet odors in the home, these Fresh Wave gel crystals do seem to work. They neutralize odors rather than covering them up with another strong scent.

All you do is open up the jar and leave it open in the room and it will gradually get rid of bad smells. The jar lasts for a few weeks of constant use before it needs replacing.

Eco conscious pet owners will like the fact that the gel is biodegradable and the packaging materials are recycled. Plus the gel is completely non-toxic. The only downside is that this product isn’t cheap, but probably cheaper than washing your pooches in sweet smelling shampoo every day!

Costs $18.95 from Amazon.com

Brushing your dog’s teeth regularly will add several years to his life according to many vets. But what if your dog won’t let you near him with a toothbrush, or insists on chewing it up?

These natural dental wipes are a handy solution. They contain a specially formulated combination of herbs that work against bacteria and plaque, and use baking soda to provide gentle abrasion that removes build up. With a list of herbs that includes aloe, pomegranate, rosemary, parsley  and lavender they sound good enough for us to eat.. and maybe they are!

Though disposable wipes aren’t in themselves very eco-friendly, the natural ingredients and the green ethos of the company that makes them, should salve your eco-conscience and your dog’s breath should be a whole lot fresher!

Costs $12.99 from Happytails.

When you are taking a natural approach to caring for your pet, this herbal shampoo and conditioner makes a great weapon against fleas and ticks. Not only that but it contains natural ingredients  that nourish and soothe your pets’ skin and fur and keeping it in great condition. Fleas and ticks on your pet are killed instantly and the scent of the oils remains on the fur, repelling insects for several days. For really effective results it is best used in conjunction with other flea remedies such as garlic tablets taken internally, as well as treating your home and yard naturally for fleas. 70% of the ingredients in the products are organic as well as natural and they are non-toxic and very pet-friendly.

Costs $23.99 for shampoo and conditioner from Only Natural Pet Store

Big dogs have a long way to bend to reach their feeding bowl on the floor. These elevated dog feeders raise the bowl to a comfortable level, reducing neck strain and gas intake. They come in two heights: a 10 inch and a 16 inch, each with two stainless steel bowls and are made in a sturdy and neat design. They are made of 100% recycled composite plastic, so are eco-friendly as well as practical and easy to wipe clean. Three colorways in dark red, green and earth brown look great with any décor. They are weatherproof so can be used outdoors as well as in and look stylish enough to have a permanent place in your kitchen.

Priced from $99 at Fetch Dog

Amazon.com

Pet feeding bowls aren’t all that glamorous, but if you are being as eco-friendly as possible then it’s great to know that there are green options in bowls too. Renewable and bio-degradable bamboo makes an excellent replacement for plastic in feeding bowls. It is dishwasher safe and durable, non-toxic and affordable. When you are finished with it, it can safely be disposed of without harming the environment, as it is biodegradable. This bowl comes in a natural oatmeal color.

Costs $5.59 from Amazon.com

Instead of buying a bulky dog bed, this sensible dog duvet allows you to make your own pet bed by stuffing the sturdy cover with any old clothes, pillows or blankets that you already have around your home. So instead of throwing away worn out T-shirts or scruffy old foam pillows, they can provide a comfy bed for your pet in a good looking cover. Have a spare duvet on hand and then the dirty one can just be thrown in the washing machine, making it easy to keep your dog’s bed hygienic and fresh. It comes in a wide variety of fabric designs and in small, medium or large.

Costs $30.82 for the medium size on Amazon.com
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House cats with little access to a garden will love this. All cats need to chew on fresh grasses to keep their digestion in order. Now you can grow them their own assortment of natural grasses in this easy pack from organic seed. If you find that your indoor kitty is snacking on your house-plants (which are probably not very good for her) then it’s a sure sign she  would enjoy her own good quality grass supply. The pack comes with all you need to grow the grasses and four sections growing oats, wheat, rye and barley from organic seed for a good selection of vitamins and nutrients. The grasses are slower to grow in winter, but in summer will quickly provide a beautiful green patch for your cat to browse.

Costs $9.99 to start off and $3.99 for a refill pack from Only Natural Pet Store.

Pet beds that look good, fit in with your décor, are eco-friendly and that your pet actually loves aren’t always easy to come by. This washable bumper pet bed is filled with eco-friendly and very soft fiber made from recycled soda bottles and it stands up to tough use without flattening. The covers can be chosen in any two complimentary shades to suit your pet’s coloring or your décor. The covers zip off easily for washing. Best of all, pets really love this design with the bumper pillow making them feel secure and nested. A great way for them, and you, to get a great night’s sleep and keep them off the furniture!

Priced from $65.99 from Only Natural Pet Store

The following is a paid review:

For the treehugging doggy in your life. This stylish bed (which comes in three colors: Sienna (shown), Whistler Gray and Rainforest) is perfect for all dogs who lead an active lifestyle. I know my dog, Zola, would especially love the bolster on this bed. It lets him sleep but keep one eye open just in case a human may go near the cookie jar!

The bottom of this bed is comprised of waterproof nylon which lets this bed work just as well indoors as outdoors. Perfect if you want to take your dog with you camping or boating. Your pup will stay nice and dry while the bottom of the bed keeps the moisture and cold away.

The bed is comfy and soft since it is filled with fleece fabric constructed from recycled plastic soda pop bottles. It is estimated by Bowsers that this particular bed helps eliminate up to 30 pop bottles from ending up in the landfill.

The best part is that the bolster and cushion cover can be unzipped and easily removed and thrown in the washing machine and dryer. This allows you to keep this bed fresh and clean for years to come. And we all know that purchasing a quality pet bed that can last many dog years will be the best eco-friendly decision a human can make. Zola says; “pass the cookies!”
$89.95 at Designer Doggy