Climate Change

Going Green For Your Pet

BOSTON (WBZ) ― You probably are recycling more, and maybe have started using some environmentally friendly light bulbs around the house. But now people are getting even greener by changing the habits of their pets.
 
Debra Tarter's boxer is now the picture of health, but she had her share of problems. "She got ill, and we took her to the vet and she had some kidney problems."

That's when Debra decided to change Patches lifestyle. "We switched her diet and went organic."

That's a growing trend. In fact, pet owners now spend about a billion dollars a year on organic products for their pets. That can include healthier cat litter, organic doggie treats, and hemp dog collars and cat collars.

Debra Lynn Dadd, an author on green issues, says consumers need to read the labels on these products closely. "There are two major things that you want to avoid that would make a product not green. One of them is the presence of toxic chemicals, and the other is many ingredients or materials that are made from crude oil."

But just because a product is green isn't enough for consumers. Says Dadd, "Even though people say they want to do things that are better for the environment, they won't actually do it unless the product actually performs."

One reason for these high end products is that many empty nesters are pampering their pets, instead of their kids. Debra says of Patches, "She's our baby. My children are all grown so of course, we are very concerned about her."

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)