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Natural and Organic Dog Supplies


“I can understand dog food, but what’s the point in seeking out natural and organic dog supplies?”organic dog supplies

Good question!

We’ll get into the general...
  • Instances when buying organic dog products is not possible or realistic
...a little further down the page.

In case you’re aching for specific information and recommendations by category, click the following links based on your interests...

(those without links are coming soon)

Beds
Dog Air Bed Indestructible Dog Beds
Chew Resistant Dog Bed Raised Dog Beds
Corner Dog Bed Dog Snuggle Bed
Heated Dog Bed Therapeutic Dog Beds
Dog Bed Ramps
Dog Bed Ramps
Books
Dog Breeding Books Dog Health Book
Dog Grooming Books Best Dog Training Book
Bowls
Raised Dog Food Bowls
Cleaning Products
Dog Urine Cleaning Products
Dog Food
Best Dog Food on the Market
Grooming
Dog Grooming Dryers Professional Dog Grooming Supplies
Dog Grooming Kits Dog Grooming Tubs
Professional Dog Grooming Clippers Dog Grooming Video
Dog Incontinence Products
Dog Incontinence Products
Toys
Kevlar Dog Toys Dog Squeaky Toys
Organic Dog Toys Dog Tug Toys
Puppy Dog Toys Unusual Dog Toys
Dog Rope Toys .
Storage
Dog Toy Storage Dog Food Storage Containers


Also see...

Dog Treatments and Home Remedies for Common Illnesses


(back to top of natural and organic dog supplies)

Benefits of Natural and Organic Dog Supplies

While the cost of organic dog supplies is often higher than their synthetic counterparts, it’s well worth it.

There are some instances, however, when buying organic is not possible or realistic.  We'll get into them in a bit (click here to jump straight there).  First...

...with regards to supplies, “organic” typically means chemical-free, health conscious and environmentally friendly.  For you it comes down to a choice of lifestyle.  I’ll do my best to ask you a couple of questions in as unbiased a way as possible…

Will you purchase dog supplies that are earth-friendly and promote the health of you, your dog, your family and all those involved in the products’ manufacturing?

…OR…

Are you indifferent?

You have found our web site, so I imagine that the former question better suits you.

But WHY is natural and organic better?

Before we answer this, let’s briefly explore the reason synthetic material was introduced in the first place…organic dog supplies

In and before the early 1900’s, all material was “natural.”  Then in the 1930s, man-made synthetic fibers became the rave: they were strong, did not stretch, wrinkly or shrink as much over time and were easy to wash.  They are also easier to dye and can be made to “cling” or form to the body, which provided seemingly infinite possibilities for the fashion-conscious consumer.

With all of these great benefits, why bother switching back?  The answer is several fold…

  1. The manufacturing of man-made fibers are extremely harmful to the environment and therefore potentially to you and your dog.  
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “plastic resin and manmade fiber manufacturing facilities…released (to the air, water or land) and transferred (shipped off-site or discharged to sewers) a total of 399 million pounds of toxic chemicals during calendar year 1995.  This represents approximately seven percent of the 5.7 billion pounds of releases and transfers from all manufacturers.”
And here is what it means to you and your dog.  According to the EPA, following are the effects of one of the chemicals.  The others listed in their report have similar characteristics:

  • “Toxicity may be caused through ingestion, inhalation or dermal (skin) exposure.  Individuals exposed to slight concentrations may develop nausea, vomiting, headache and lassitude (fatigue).  Severely poisoned patients may develop extreme weakness or lassitude, respiratory depression, shock, coma, and seizures.”
  • “Biodegradation is likely to occur if it is released to the soil.  It is also mobile in the soil and may evaporate from the surface of the soil.  In water, the major loss process is biodegradation.  Acetonitrile will persist in the troposphere for a long time and may be transported a long distance from the source of its release.”
  1. Chemicals found in synthetic material can cause asthma and allergies.
  1. Many people and dogs have a bead reaction to formaldehyde (yes, the same chemical used for embalming dead bodies), which is used to prevent wrinkles.  Reactions include dizziness, memory impairment, allergies and a weakened immune system.
  1. Materials made with synthetic material are more likely to be manufactured in developing countries through the use of “sweat-shops” where workers, often children, are underpaid and overworked.  While organic dog supplies are becoming more popular, they are still considered a specialty item and tend to be manufactured by more ethically–minded companies.organic dog supplies
  1. Cotton is highly detrimental to soil mineral content (so future crops planted on the same ground will not be as healthy or, if edible, nutritious) and uses 25% of the world’s pesticides.  
Certified organic cotton, however, is grown using no pesticides (farmers use other “good” insects to control pests) and is frequently rotated to different soil.  Hemp is another environmentally friendly material.
  1. Lead poisoning, which can be brought about by ingesting or inhaling paint chips or contaminated dust, is a risk of synthetic paints.
  1. Chemical lawn treatments are a horrible idea.  Your dogs can easily get chemicals on their feed.  They are also likely to inadvertently (or intentionally in the case of our dog!) eat or inhale the chemicals.
  1. Avoid products with organophosphates (OPs) and carbamates, which are often found in non-organic dog supplies such as flea and tick products.  Ingredients to look out for include:
  • Carbaryl
  • Chlorpyrifos
  • Diazinon
  • Dichlorvos
  • Malathion
  • Naled
  • Phosmet
  • Propoxur
  • Tetrachlorvinphos

Buying Organic Dog Supplies is Not Always Possible or Realistic

Some of the best products for your pet are simply not available in an organic form.  Some therapeutic pet beds, for example, are made using a  technology that regulates the bed's heat and coolness.  

If you have a pet stain that you just can't seem to get up with organic cleaners, you must sometimes resort to the stronger stuff.

As a general rule of thumb, if there is an organic product available, give it a shot first for all of the reasons mentioned above.  

If the material itself is not organic, research the manufacturer and how they do business.  Always choose the ethical and environmentally conscious over the others.  Read their press releases.  Find out if they are certified by any environmentally friendly organizations.  Google their name along with the word "news."  (i.e. "Solid Gold News").

Now back to the actual dog supplies...

Click here to jump back up to the organic dog supplies categories at the top of this page to learn more about specific product types and see our recommendations.

We also encourage you to read about all of the positive effects of going natural and organic (we consider purchasing organic dog supplies “neutral” and purchasing synthetic dog supplies “detrimental”) in other areas that effect your dog such as their health care and nutrition…

Natural Organic Dog Food vs. Most Commercial Dog Food

Recall of Dog Food

Dog Alternative Therapies vs. Conventional Therapies

Holistic Dog Vet Care vs. Conventional Dog Vet Care

A New Approach to Vaccinations

Holistic and Conventional Dog Treatments & Dog Home Remedies for Common Illnesses


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