Natural Grooming Wipes at Uptown Critters.com $12.95

My dog loves organic grooming solutions - problem is her idea of what constitutes good grooming is radically different from mine. She thinks rolling in natural mud, dips in scummy ponds, and digging up some fresh earth is one true organic path. I have other ideas.

These grooming wipes might be just the thing to have handy in the car to clean up after her “spa treatments”. However, your car is more likely to be a new Lexis or Volvo than a vintage Camry. Tell you the truth, I probably will continue to use my beat up towel I keep handy for such a purpose - reusable and saves putting more paper products in the landfills. My dog and I tend to be more skeptical types.

Still, some people may marvel over the Green Tea Leaf Fragrance, the Aloe Vera moisturizer and the “exotic Hawaiian Awapuhi extract” to enhance your dog’s coat shine in the wipes. They also offer a Hypo-Allergenic and Fragrance free version.

CatBib - helps prevent Bird Kills from your cat $8.95 from CatGoods.com

There are an estimated 60 million cats in the US and its probably safe to say that a significant percentage, perhaps a majority, are let out by their owners to prowl outside. Many cat owners probably think this is only natural and to prevent your cat from going outside would be inhumane. The problem is with all of these cats hunting birds and other small prey, they tip the natural ecological balance in favor of cats. House cats are probably the leading killer of birds, who are also threatened by their habitats being destroyed by developments and the like.

The Audubon Society states that “keeping cats indoors ensures that birds outdoors stay safe. Cats, too, benefit, as they’ll be exposed to less risk of disease, parasites, predation, poison, and accidents. According the to American Humane Society, cats that are allowed to roam outside live an average of 3 years while indoor cats typically reach an average age of 15 years.”

Keeping your cat indoors may be the best answer but old habits die hard for many and another solution is the CatBib from CatGoods.com Their website claims it in no way bothers or interferes with the cat’s activities outdoors and is completely safe. The bib only interferes with the cats ability to catch birds. While that may piss off the cat - you will feel better knowing you aren’t helping contributing to bird slaughters.
They have a page of many testimonials saying how well it works.
Here a good link for more information on this issue from an article in the Guardian.

PAW CARE BALM in a 3 oz tin $18.00 at CyberCanine

Paw Care Balm is an all natural ointment perfect for minor cuts and sores. There website states their balm is made from organic herbs an coldpressed oil and aromatherapy grade essential oil. Not sure who the aromatherapy is intended for but in my case I know my dog likes it as stinky as possible! Me, I much prefer something a bit more herbal smelling.

CyberCanine has been making handmade organic and vegan canine healing and skin/fur care products since 1997. There are many other earth and animal friendly products available on their neatly designed site that are worth a look as well.

Since the latest recall by Menu Foods of many dog and cat wet foods due to toxicity in it’s wheat gluten many pet owners are upset and are now considering alternative, natural diets for their pets. Today, the New York Times has a great article on this concern The article talks about all the people rushing to find books on healthy pet nutrition and pet cookbooks for wholesome natural foods.

Perhaps, the best book to start with would be the highly acclaimed book.
Food Pets Die For: Shocking Facts About Pet Food by Ann Martin, December 2002 - 2nd edit. The author warn us that the pet food industry often puts outrageously foul ingredients into pet food to maximize profits. The FDA doesn’t really regulate the pet food industry instead compliance with the minimal regulations is voluntary. The list of ingredients permitted in pet food includes rendered road kill, euthanized pets from animal shelters and vet clinics, and other animal waste; processed poultry and cow feces collected from large agri-business operations; mercury-contaminated seafood which has been judged unfit for human consumption. They then give this a vaguely healthy sounding name, like animal by-products and the like.

Many times Veterinarians don’t question mainstream pet food company ingredients and diets as many veterinary students learn nutrition from elective classes influenced and paid for by pet food companies. The book also discusses issues about how pet food can be made at home using safe and human-quality ingredients, and she provides recipes and suggestions for supplements.

Another popular and great book is Dr. Pitcairn’s New Complete Guide to Natural Health for Dogs and Cats. This book is the definitive guide to a natural lifestyle for dogs and cats. Veterinarian Richard H. Pitcairn and his wife Susan Hubble Pitcairn, noted specialists in chemical-free nutrition and natural healing for pets, show dog and cat owners how to provide the very best in companionship and lifelong care. the new edition now covers environmental matters, including pollutants both inside the home and out. They’ve updated dozens of recipes for delicious and healthful pet food and treats. With a guide to handling emergencies and an in-depth Quick Reference section, they give specific instructions for preventing, diagnosing, and treating a wide range of animal diseases and disorders with special attention to homeopathic, herbal, and nutritional remedies. (from the publisher’s blurb on Amazon)

There are several cookbooks for dogs available that seem quite good, have colorful happy graphics and talk about how cooking your pets food is vastly healthier and more natural. This can certainly be true, but be careful, many pet food cookbooks writers are perhaps more interested in selling you their book than in giving you sound nutritional advice. One book’s recipe had onions, bullion cubes called for in the recipe (many dogs can have a bad reaction to onions and bullion can be way too salty)
I suggest that if you buy a book from Amazon to read the reviews first to see if there might be any red flags.

One excellent source of information is the Whole Dog Journal.com This month they have an article on Home-Prepared Dog Food that might be worthwhile read. It’s an actual magazine subscription but can also be read online and they have a free 14 day trial if you like it, for $20.00 you get the 13 issues of Whole Dog Journal, as well as continued complete access to Whole-Dog-Journal.com. To see if this be something that interests you, check out their free sample article on “How to Chose Dog Food”

Zanisa’s Spring Flower Dog Cookies $10.00 / 4 oz.
Your dog doesn’t have to be a flower child to want to dance this celebration of spring. The colorful yogurt icing and happy spring flower shapes will be a treat to your eyes as well as your dog’s tummy. Made with whole wheat flour, water, peanut butter, rolled oats, molasses, yogurt, and carob. We can’t claim they are necessarily going to help save the planet but a dog’s gotta have a little fun too.