Being a new dog owner and wanting to 'green' my pet's life, as well as my own, I've been looking for eco-friendly and natural products to try. Many pet foods, hygiene products and toys on the market are full of chemicals and preservatives, and just as with humans, can be adversely affect the health of our pets.
One of the biggest sources of toxins used on our pets come from flea treatments. Not only are some of the ingredients in them potentially carcinogenic, they can also be harmful to small children in your home.
Organic and all-natural flea treatments, while mostly chemical-free and better options than the big brands, can also get pretty expensive. The alternative? Make your own and use inexpensive, all-natural soaps and essential oils.
This article appears in Jul 22-28, 2010.