Its time for #SundaySwap! This is a weekly feature where we pick a category to identify animal-tested brands and offer great cruelty-free alternatives. Todays swap is pet care! This swap was recently requested by one of you, my lovely friends, and we were happy to do the research on it, as it was one topic we did not know much about! We found many awesome all-natural and cruelty-free companies for dog and cat care, including flea/tick prevention, hairball prevention, grooming care, and so much more. A special note about this swap: All chemical medications/treatments, both over-the-counter and prescribed by a veterinarian, are currently legally required to be tested on animals. We are in no way suggesting that you stop giving your pets the medications or prescription treatments that they need to be healthy and happy. Their safety is of course most important! The options here are for people who are looking for natural, holistic alternatives to ‘traditional’ medicine for their pets, particularly when it comes to flea prevention, which was the specific swap request that we received, as the requester did not want to use flea control that had been tested on animals. (You can find more information about that topic here: natural-wonder-pets/animal-testing.html.) Please keep in mind that we are not judging or condemning anyone who uses animal-tested methods for pet health care; we all trust our veterinarians to provide the best medical care for our canine and feline family members. We are simply offering alternatives for those who are interested in other methods. Thank you! PET CARE SWAP Animal-tested: All of the common topical flea medications (Frontline, Advantage, etc.) and all prescription medications and diets that include chemicals. Cruelty-free: Natural Wonder Pets: makes natural remedies for most medical concerns including fleas/ticks, dental issues, worms/parasites, dander, and MANY more. Available online at natural-wonder-remedies. They have some great sales right now! Wally’s Natural: has a great line of flea prevention products, including yard spray, shampoo, and pet spray. Available online at wallysnatural/pet-care/#.VGPcilJ0zIV. Nutri-Vet: a comprehensive cat and dog wellness company that has supplements, chewable medication, medical supplies, and behavioral aides, in addition to much more! Available at most pet stores including Petsmart, Petco, and Pet Supplies Plus and online at nutri-vet. Halo: a great cruelty-free pet food company that also makes supplements and grooming supplies, including hip & joint supplement, daily greens supplement, anti-flea herbal dip, and herbal eye and ear wash. Available at most pet stores, including Petco and Petsmart, and online at halopets. Dr. Goodpet: all the dog and pet care products that you could need, including flea prevention/relief products for both indoor and outdoor pets, homeopathic remedies for ailments including scratching and anxiety, probiotics, and feline digestive enzymes. Available online at goodpet. Mark and Chappell: an awesome UK company that we really wish we had here in the US! It has pretty much any product you could need for your pets, from small animals to cats to dogs, from supplements to flea & tick control tablets to urinary tract health. Available in a wide range of UK stores (see the list here: markandchappell/global/stockist/uk-stockist.html). Martha Stewart Pets: a variety of dog shampoo and anti-itch relief spray. Available at Petsmart, as is their line of great natural cat and dog toys! Organic Oscar: a variety of dog grooming tools, including many types of shampoo. Available at local pet stores, Petco Unleashed, and online organicoscar. Quadruped Pet Care: a line of conditioners and shampoos made for dogs that covers almost any skin condition or concern imaginable, including allergies, fleas/ticks/lice, dandruff, and even skunk odor! Available online at quadrupedpetcare. Tropiclean: a comprehensive pet care line that covers categories like oral care, grooming, dental chews, and clean-up. Available at Petco and online at tropiclean/index.php. Fleabusters: if your home does get infested, this is the one cruelty-free company that you can call to help you out! They also have a line of products including flea shampoo and cleaning products if you want to de-flea your house on your own. Available online at fleabusters. There are many DIY flea prevention methods as well! You can bathe your dog in a gentle dish detergent like Seventh Generation lavender floral & mint, give pets a B-complex supplement to boost the health of their coats, or make your own essential-oil treatment for your dog (NOT your cat; they are too sensitive to essential oils). For that treatment, add six or seven drops of the essential oils of rosemary, peppermint, eucalyptus, tea tree, and citronella to a cup of water and shake well. Use a spray bottle to apply the solution to your dog’s coat every other day. Happy swapping!!
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 15:43:33 +0000