Make the switch to eco-friendly pet care with Zentails. Learn practical, sustainable tips with our guide for enhancing natural pet wellness, calming dogs and protecting our planet.
As the climate crisis continues, every part of our lives needs an environmental adjustment. For eco-conscious dog owners, this means embracing green habits in our daily pet care routines.
At Zentails, our commitment goes beyond products. We're building a community of dog owners who value our planet as deeply as their pets. On this mission, we're sharing actionable tips and insights for going green and naturally enhancing your dog's well-being.
Why Eco-Friendly Pet Care Matters
Sustainable pet care is more than a personal choice. From your dog's collar to the food in their bowl, these daily decisions impact far beyond your own back garden.
When you embrace green alternatives, you can improve your pet's quality of life while reducing your ecological pawprint. These meaningful choices equal better health for your dog, and a brighter future for our planet.
Health and environmental benefits aside, sustainable pet care can help dogs to feel happy, calm and content. For dogs dealing with stress, anxiety, or nervousness, natural calming remedies offer a gentle alternative to harsh medications.
Sustainable Alternatives to Everyday Pet Products
We’re passionate about promoting green alternatives to everyday pet care. Beyond supporting your dog's natural wellness, it’s an important way for us to collectively improve our shared environment.
Start by considering the wider impact of your daily pet care choices. From your regular treats to your choice of toys, each change is a chance to do your bit for the environment.
Look for accessories and products made from non-toxic, organic materials that haven’t been treated with chemicals. Go for natural materials like wool, organic cotton, bamboo, hemp and natural rubber. Recycled materials are also great.
Avoid anything made from non-recyclable plastics, and be wary of chemicals like PVC or BPA. These products introduce toxins to your home as well as our ecosystem.
Eco-Friendly, Dog-Friendly Grooming
Natural grooming products support both the environment and your dog's health, as well as your bond. Always check the packaging for sustainable materials and gentle, natural ingredients like coconut oil, aloe vera and essential oils.
Regular grooming sessions with high-quality ingredients can also build trust and enhance your bond through soothing physical contact. This consistent care routine makes your dog feel loved and secure, promoting a happy, healthy life together.
Sustainable Dog Waste Disposal
Buy biodegradable waste bags over single-use plastic ones. The polymers in these bags can take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose. For those with a garden, composting is a great way to turn a waste product into nutrient-dense compost for non-edible plants.
Choosing Healthier and Naturally Calming Food for Your Dog
As well as improving their natural wellness, diet can impact your dog’s temperament. Organic and natural foods provide pure, clean nutrition, helping to maintain a calm and balanced mood.
Why Choose Organic and Natural Pet Foods?
Toxins in pet food is a very real issue. Many leading pet food brands have recalled products due to high levels of PFAS and metals like lead, aluminium and mercury.
Organic farming steers clear of synthetic additives. It promotes cleaner soil and water, allowing biodiversity to flourish. Plus, these sustainable production methods significantly reduce carbon emissions and water use.
Choosing a Safe, Healthy and Natural Dog Food
Without proper research, dog owners could be feeding their four-legged family members harmful ingredients without even knowing it.
Some of the biggest names in the pet food aisle (including Pedigree, Caesar and Purina) are owned by Nestlé and Mars Inc. When it comes to your dog’s diet, you’re better off with a specialist pet food brand.
What To Look for in Dog Food:
- Specific Protein Sources
Look for protein sources listed as whole meats like lamb, beef or chicken rather than unnamed "meat" or "animal derivatives".
- Organic Certification
These dog foods are free from synthetic fertilisers and harmful pesticides.
- Whole Ingredients
Ingredients should be clear, simple, whole and familiar. Look for specific meats, vegetables and grains.
- Functional Ingredients
Like probiotics for a healthy gut, omega fatty acids for skin and coat health, or glucosamine for healthy joints.
What To Avoid in Dog Food:
- Corn syrup
- Vegetable oil
- Nitrates/nitrites
- Rendered fat
- Cheap fillers like white rice, white potato, wheat, maize and soy
- Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs)
- Artificial colours and preservatives including BHA, BHT and Ethoxyquin
How to Bond with Your Dog Through Eco-Friendly Activities
Strengthening your bond with your dog can be both fulfilling and environmentally friendly. These practices enhance your dog's natural wellness, reduce anxiety, and foster a happier, healthier relationship.
How to Strengthen Your Connection with Your Dog
If you're wondering how to strengthen your bond with your dog, think green. There are countless ways to build a strong bond without harming the environment.
Bonding with Your Dog Through Daily Exercise
It’s no secret that regular exercise improves mental health. The same goes for your dog. It’s an essential part of any happy, healthy and calm lifestyle.
Daily exercise can be a great way to strengthen your connection and ease anxiety in dogs. Without exerting enough energy, some dogs can experience stress and frustration. While it won't solve the problem completely, the PDSA has linked a healthy exercise routine to improved unwanted behaviour in dogs.
Where possible, let your dog spend time in natural areas. This kind of mental and physical stimulation improves your dog’s overall well-being. Use this time to teach your dog about quiet, calm behaviour in natural settings. Naturally calming dog treats can help provide positive reinforcement for good behaviour.
Creating a Dog-Friendly Garden
Your garden can provide just as much sensory stimulation as the outside world. Introduce different textures and smells, get a bird feeder, give them somewhere to dig, and access to water if possible.
A herb garden is dog-friendly and a great way to improve your own eco-footprint. Avoid flowers like tulips, lilies and daffodils as these can be toxic to dogs in large doses.
This is a great chance to get creative, but be sure to do your research. Knowing which plants are toxic to dogs can be difficult.
Tips for Calming Dogs Naturally
Whether it’s post-lockdown separation anxiety, fear of loud noises, car journeys, or just general nervousness, it's hard seeing your dog in distress.
In these stressful situations, it’s common for caring owners to blame themselves and internalise guilt. Without the right guidance and a clear path forward, the solution can feel distant.
Natural Calming Remedies for Dogs
There are effective solutions beyond harsh medications for easing your dog’s stress and anxiety. This is where the power of natural calming solutions comes into play. They offer gentle, effective relief that fits perfectly into a natural pet wellness plan.
Naturally Calming Food for Dogs
- Turkey
High in tryptophan, an essential amino acid proven to promote calm behaviour in dogs.
- Sweet potatoes
Regulates blood sugar and insulin resistance, easing your dog's anxiety while regulating heart function.
- Brown rice
Full of fibre to slow digestion and increase serotonin levels.
- Blueberries
Proven to relieve stress and anxiety.
- Asparagus
Full of antioxidants to remove toxins and reduce anxiety.
- Organ meats
Organ meats like organic grass-fed beef liver are one of the most nutrient-dense foods for your dog. They're packed with zinc and antioxidants to reduce oxidative stress.
- Eggs
Packed with protein, zinc and essential amino acids to maintain a healthy nervous system. Eggs also contain anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids for healthy skin and fur.
The Role of Essential Oils in Calming Dogs
Essential oils are scientifically proven to reduce anxiety in dogs. They work by influencing their nervous system, easing stress and enhancing overall well-being. These natural remedies can stabilise your dog's mood and provide a gentle, effective way to lower their stress.
Essential oils like lavender and chamomile are renowned for their calming effects, easing nervousness and helping dogs relax. Known for their strong sedative effects, valerian root and vetiver can help to calm even the most anxious pets. Alongside these, frankincense and bergamot can work to balance emotions and support overall mood stability.
At ZenTails, we understand the power of these natural solutions. Our mission goes beyond relieving symptoms—we’re committed to improving the overall quality of your pets’ lives. That’s why our upcoming range of 100% natural calming solutions are designed with your dog's best interests at heart.
Understanding the Benefits:
- 100% natural
- Backed by science
- Approved by experts
Our natural calming remedies provide the safest experience for your pet. Each Zentails formula is sustainably sourced, scientifically approved, and loved by dogs.
How to Make Your Own Calming Treats for Dogs
Creating your own calming dog treats can be a cheap and effective way to naturally reduce your pet's anxiety. They help to ensure your dog is happy, calm and content, while reducing waste from commercial pet treats.
Naturally Calming Dog Treat Recipes
Pumpkin and Chamomile Dog Biscuits
Ingredients:
- Pureed pumpkin
- Dried chamomile
- Dog-safe flour (like whole wheat)
- Eggs
- A splash of olive oil
Method: Mix ingredients into a dough, roll out, cut into shapes and bake at 180°C for 25-30 minutes.
Sweet Potato and Lavender Dog Chews
Ingredients
- Cooked sweet potato
- A sprinkle of culinary lavender
- Flaxseed meal
- Rolled oats
Method: Blend ingredients until smooth, shape into bars or coins and dehydrate in an oven at 120°C until chewy.
Embracing Eco-Friendly Pet Care for a Happier, Calmer Dog
Eco-friendly pet care is a commitment to our dogs and environment. By introducing sustainable practices into your dog’s daily routine, you're taking a decisive step towards a happy, healthy pup and planet.
Every eco-friendly choice, from natural foods to sustainable toys, helps reduce your ecological pawprint and promotes a calmer, more content dog.
To those with anxious companions—we truly hope our green tips for naturally calming dogs have a positive impact on your journey.
Join Our Community of Pet Parents
Join a growing community of dog owners making more informed, sustainable choices. Subscribe to our mailing list for the latest updates in eco-friendly pet care and natural wellness practices, along with exclusive content to keep your dog happy and healthy.
Together, we can create a brighter future for our furry friends. Remember—every small change in your pet care routine can make a world of difference. Let’s transform our actions into meaningful results for a calmer, happier dog and a greener world. Join us today and make those changes count.
