Go Green: Eco-Friendly Pet Options

Eco-Friendly Cat Litter

There are eco-friendly cat litters such as those made out of plant-based material such as corn, wheat, recycled newspapers or wood chips, which are friendlier on the environment than clay litter. Check out corn litter at www.gpcpet.com or green tea leaves/wood cat litter at www.nextgenpet.com.

Keep Pets Clean With Natural Pet-Care Products

Lather pets up with detergent, alcohol and pesticide-free grooming products and clean up their mess with products that are as gentle on Earth as they are on pets. These include hypoallergenic dog shampoo, stain and odor remover, dander remover, chew prevention aid, tearless puppy shampoo. Hartz Clean Earth line of products even includes biodegradable training pads (think biodegradable diapers).

Recyclable Or Sustainable Pet Toys

Toys made with organically grown cotton or natural dyes aren't only pesticide and chemical free, they also reduce pet allergies and are biodegradable. Find them at www.simplyfido.com There are great chew toys made from recycled rubber come from www.planetdog.com.

Cat Scratch Fever

As if there weren't enough things to admire about this product -- toy, bed, exerciser and training tool all in one -- the SuperScratcher serves the planet as well as it does cats and their owners. Made of nearly 100 percent recycled materials and certified organic catnip, it is long-lasting, safe and natural, and 100 percent recyclable.

Hemp Collars

Almost all pet collars are made of nylon, which is made from petroleum. Planet Dog's all-time best-selling collar is the Cozy Hemp Collar. Natural hemp gives strength and an attractive texture, and the fleece lining is cozy and soft. It's what you would wear if you were a dog. Hemp is one of nature's most durable fibers. It gets soft and stays strong, making it the perfect material for collars, leashes and harnesses. The Cozy Hemp Collars come in three sizes and three colors (green apple -- great for St. Patrick's Day, purple and orange). Medium and large collars have a stainless steel side-release buckle, and small collars have plastic. The leash handle comes in one size and the same three colors, and it is fleece-lined for comfort.

Recycle a Pet

Adopt -- don't buy -- one of the millions of pets in shelters that would jump at the chance to get out of the cage at the shelter and under the covers in your home! Click here for more info.