The Cat(nip)’s Meow
Date: June 2, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
With all the ecofriendly accessories and treats out there for dogs, we couldn’t help but feel like our feline friends needed a little pep too. The recipe for SmartyKat Certified Organic Catnip is simple: it only includes 100% organically grown catnip leaves and blossoms instead of the usual mix of conventionally grown catnip and fillers. SmartyKat also sells a refillable catnip toy (in the shape of a mouse, naturally), which means you can keep topping off Mr. Whisker’s favorite new plaything to keep him occupied for hours of organic excitement.
Doggie Delights
Date: May 19, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
It’s no secret that here at ecofabulous, we love our small furry friends (check out our Pets link to the right for proof). So when we came cross Robbie Dawg, a line of organic, handmade dog biscuits, we were thrilled for yet another reason to treat our pooches to the same eco-friendly goodies we seek out for ourselves! Lisa Fortunato founded Robbie Dawg in the summer of 2003 when she whipped up treats for Tibetan Spaniel Robbie’s first birthday. Since then, Fortunato has expanded her line of biscuits to include dog-approved applewood bacon and cheddar cheese, four cheese oatmeal, peanut butter and carrot, and turkey sausage and Romano cheese among others (is it weird that we are getting hungry writing this?). Biscuits that contain meat, cheese, or vegetables are baked using free-range poultry, organic meat, and hormone- and antibiotic-free egg and dairy products. The company also keeps a commitment to its community by donating products, such as a monthly donation to the Bide-a-Wee Foundation.
4U2ReUse Y’all
Date: May 13, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
Florida mom and former surgeon, Bibi Rogers, discovered a reality that she wanted no part of, or at least wanted to drastically change, one day walking along the beach: the water was littered with plastic bags. Her idea was to create an easy way to reuse those plastic bags and help others do the same. She began stitching up bag carriers from old sails, vintage clothing, and organic materials she could find locally. 4U2ReUse sells a few different versions and they can be used as a convenient place to store plastic bags for reuse, or as doggie doo bag carriers (sold empty, of course). They are all designed to easily attach to handbags, backpacks, belt loops, or pet leashes, are made from fabulous fabrics and are delightfully portable. Dr. Rogers says: “By reusing, we reduce. And by reducing, we make the world a cleaner, safer place, one bag at a time.” These also make great little change purses.
Hemp for Hounds
Date: April 17, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
At Ecofabulous we review every product ourselves, which is why the pet section has remained a little light. Though Andrea has a four legged friend and there are fantastic eco animal accessories, I haven’t been particularly inspired to cover this subject… until now. This past week we brought home Koala - the sweetest puppy I’ve ever met, so he is our newest contributor, because we’re all workin’ for the earth. I hope that you enjoy his selections. Please give us your feedback, because let’s face it, animals are all unique. After loading up on organic food, I knew it was time to get the requisite collar and leash. Luckily, Earthdog makes hemp collars, harnesses and leashes in bright solids and patterns, so Koala will look as cute as his consumptive counterparts, with their nylon or poly accessories, without becoming a burden on our planet. Each of Earthdog’s styles are named after a furry friend in the founders’ brood of rescued dogs (they have 14!! And I thought one was a lot of work). The 100% biodegradable collars are fashioned out of hemp, which is easily grown without pesticides or herbicides,
and is stronger and more absorbent than cotton. And the cool collars, which include star, check, and floral designs, are made with low-impact, non-toxic dyes. Just for fun (and to protect rogue shoes), get one of Earthdog’s hemp dog toys, stuffed with recycled poly-cotton.
The Cat’s Meow
Date: April 8, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
Pampering your pet can be a beautiful thing, but toxic beds and nasty carpet covered scratching posts are far from loving. Shouldn’t whiskers have her very own chaise lounge that is just as kind to the earth as it is to her? The chic Prrrounge is made from recycled corrugated cardboard (a mixture that includes recycled boxes/paper, old cartons and woodchips, shavings and sawdust left over from logging/sawmilling operations) with non-toxic adhesives. Because of the texture and durability, the Prrrounge will withstand those sharp claws, and is even strong enough to be used as occasional seating for your furry friend’s human pal. For a cat’s corner that won’t be an eyesore to your interior, Vivavi’s got your kitty covered.
Pups Beg For This Pizza Crust
Date: March 7, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
With Uneek Pizza Crust bites, you can treat your fuzzy friend to the same benefits of organic and natural food that you demand. Made with 100 percent organic high-protein grain, these goodies are made on a smaller scale than most in order to help control portions. The organic ingredients include flax seed, oregano, tomato sauce, olive oil, apple cider vinegar and kamut grain and are all human-grade quality. Uneek also offers Beagle Bites and Nut Rolls for your pooch. Each month, the company chooses a charity and donates 25 cents from each Uneek bag sold. Uneek also reduces impact on the environment by using recycled packaging. Now that’s something worth barking about.
Dog Treats Worth Begging For
Date: February 7, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
Our dogs would probably eat anything they can get their paws on, but we think their diets deserve some serious attention. So, we were thrilled to hear about Boston Baked Bonz, an online bakery, started last Spring, that specializes in organic and vegan dog treats. Rover can munch on an expanding list of goodies, including wild blueberry muffins, ginger bread snaps and peanut butter crunchies. Or, he can anxiously await the mailman’s arrival each month with his fresh cookie subscription. While you’re perusing the site, sign your pup up for the Boston Baked Bonz Canine Test Squadron waiting list, which sends your dog samples of the company’s latest and greatest organic creations (canine testers had to fight off their owners for samples of Pumpkin Pie muffins last Fall).
Organic Arigato
Date: January 30, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
We think our pooches should look as ecofabulous as we do while warming up on their morning walk. Sckoon’s dog kimono is sure to garner wags of admiration. Inspired by founder Satoko Asai’s Japanese heritage, Sckoon’s dog kimonos are made from fabrics with metal-free, low-impact dyes and boast 100% certified organic Egyptian cotton. We wouldn’t mind a human-sized version!
Chew on This Idea
Date: January 25, 2008 | Category: Pets, The Home
Holding the Eco Bone chew toy in hand, its incredible softness belies the notion that the materials come from hard plastic bottles. Indeed, West Paw Designs utilizes IntelliTex fabric and IntelliLoft stuffing, both primarily made from recycled soda pop bottles (at least 85%), to generate their stylish line of dog accessories - and in cute color combos, so it will keep your decor as happy as your pooch. While Fido may not know the difference between the sustainable Bumper Bed covered in organic cotton and its conventional counterpart - his health just might. Treating the earth better means caring for all its animals, too.
Primal Insticts
Date: November 19, 2007 | Category: Pets, The Home
With the recent dog food recalls, more and more people are becoming attuned to what they are really scooping into their furry friends’ bowls. What we feed our pets is of no small significance, whether considering their health or the effects of industrial chemicals and irresponsible production practices on the environment (or both). In addition to ingredients that are considered nutritionally bottom of the barrel, conventional kibble generally contains fillers such as GMO corn, dairy, meat by-products, artificial colors and copious amounts of sodium to make it all palatable - pretty scary stuff. It’s basically junk food for your pet - contributing to rampant cancer rates and other illnesses. At Green Fest we came across a company that offers sustainable, healthy alternatives to unnatural chow. San Francisco based, Primal Pet Foods, has developed formulas based upon the BARF diet (Bones and Raw Foods or Biologically Appropriate Raw Foods - either way the diet needs marketing help) that work to mimic what an animal would eat in the wild. Their raw food formulas contain fresh 100% human grade, antibiotic, hormone and steroid free meats, poultry and game, certified organic produce and certified organic minerals and unrefined vitamins. All their meat is procured from ranchers throughout the United States that are engaged in natural, sustainable agriculture. Primal is available at Whole Foods and a host of other pet retailers. Be sure to educate yourself on the safest way to make the eco-food transition.
