Green Little Cats

It is trendy to be green, and so how about greening your little cute cat?

Here are eight good reasons to green your cat's lifestyle by adopting organic cat foods, organic cat litter, and making your own cat toys from recyclable materials. I admit, it might be very expensive to green your cats all at once and all. So try some tips one at a time and make yourself and your little cat friends comfortable at the same time.

By Holly Tse, Green Cat Expert

#1. Your cat will eat a healthier diet.

Making the switch to organic cat food is healthier for both your cat and the planet. Organic foods are produced without the use of synthetic fertilizers, pesticides, antibiotics, hormones or genetically modified organisms. Your cat will enjoy the benefits of eating natural foods without chemicals or artificial additives.

#2. You can strengthen the bond between you and your kitty, have fun, save money and save the planet.

Instead of buying handfuls of cat toys made overseas, upcycle materials you already have around the home. Leftover yarn can be knitted into simple wooly squares. A toilet paper roll can be cut into a bunch of rings. A paper bag can be crunched up into a fun ball.

Use your imagination, experiment and have fun. Your cat will appreciate the new toys as well as the increased attention. You'll also be diverting materials from the landfill and saving money by making your own toys. Just be sure that the materials you use are safe for your cat to play with, recycle the toys when they show sign of wear and always supervise your cat during playtime.

#3. You'll reduce your cat's and your family's exposure to chemicals in the home.

Many household cleaning products contain strong chemicals that can leave trace residues in your home if they are not thoroughly rinsed away. Given your cat's propensity to spend large amounts of time on surfaces that you regularly clean (e.g. counters, sinks, floors), it makes sense to switch to earth-friendly household cleaners.

Do a simple web search for how to clean with vinegar and baking soda and you'll discover that these two simple and natural ingredients can take care of the majority of your household cleaning requirements.

#4. You can cut down on unnecessary shopping trips.

Shopping can be fun, but shopping for cat food and litter is usually a chore. Plan your shopping trips so that you can stock up a few months in advance.

Buy food and litter in the larger-sized containers. These usually use less packaging materials than buying the same amount in smaller containers and as an added bonus, you'll often save money on a per volume basis.

#5. Litter tracked all over your home can become a thing of the past.

Rather than cover your entire home with litter catching mats, cut down on tracking by switching to a pellet shaped eco-friendly cat litter. Pellet shaped litters are made from recycled paper, pine, and other fibrous-based renewable materials. The pellets tend to stick less to paws, resulting in much less litter leaving the box.

#6. Small changes add up to huge benefits for the environment.

If you reduce the amount of cat litter you use by just one scoop a week, it would add up to approximately 10 lbs a year. That's a small change with the potential to compound dramatically.

According to a 2007 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 35 million American households own at least one cat. If each household reduced their annual litter usage by just 10 lbs, approximately 175,000 tons of cat litter would be diverted from waste streams each year.

#7. Your cat can be the inspiration for others to follow.

Once you experience the benefits of greening your cat, it seems selfish not to share them with your cat loving friends. Many people don't green their cats simply because they lack information. If your friends see how easy it is for you to green your cat, your experience may inspire them to follow suit.

Plus, you'll have another excuse to talk about your cat in public. And, since cats love being the center of attention, your kitty will enjoy being the poster kitten for your local eco-cat movement.

#8. It's now easier than ever to green your cat.

You no longer need to live in Berkeley, California or Portland, Oregon to find a huge selection of earth-friendly cat products. Some major brands now offer an eco-friendly line of cat food or litter. The green movement has also spawned a huge industry of smaller companies offering unique and sustainable cat products. You'll find green products both online and at many pet stores.