Posted by Danielle Downs on Jul.18, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - Gemma Ivern

Summer time is a great time to get a dog because the children will be home. Kids need to be kept busy all summer, and learning to care for the new family pet will definitely keep them busy. A low carbon paw-print puppy is one of the most rewarding green-investments a family can make.

1. Eco Source Your Puppy

Adoption drives are at every fair, festival, and event in your community. These “adopt-a-thons” are often run by local no-kill shelters. They place local animals in homes, reducing the carbon paw-print of shipping that can occur with breeding programs. Puppy mills and “factory” breeding practices create the same need for antibiotics, hormones, and pesticides that factory farming demands. When you adopt a “rescue mutt,” you are providing a home for a more “organically” bred puppy. Mixed breed dogs often have fewer genetic health problems, providing the family with reduced health care costs and reduced long term pharmaceutical dependency for the animal.

If your family is set on a certain breed, research local shelters and breed-specific rescues before increasing the demand for more dogs. And yes! Breed-specific rescues have puppies too! Pure bred dogs are surrendered at every stage of life. You may be asked to wait a few weeks for puppies to be born or for a temperament test to be finished. And don’t be surprised if references are required.

2. Practice Green Veterinary Medicine

Filling your puppy full of chemicals is just not acceptable. With the recent revelations about human vaccines, you’re right to worry about canine shots as well. Rabies vaccines are required by law starting at 6 months of age. This vaccine is generally safe and has a relatively low instance of side effects. A vaccine referred to as “DHLPP” inoculates against Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza. This 5-in-1 vaccine is commonly given throughout the US. Some vets will give a different combo depending on the health of the dogs in your area. For example, if canine hepatitis is not common in your area, your vet may chose to omit the vaccine. Your county department of animal control or your state department of agriculture can give you statistics on domestic animal health in your area.

The Kennel Cough vaccine, sometimes listed as “KCV” on your shot records, protects against infectious tracheobronchitis. This may also be referred to as bordetella. This vaccine is required if your pet will be staying in a boarding facility, going to puppy training classes, or staying at a day care. If your puppy does not visit these places, the vaccine is not necessary. Some vet clinics recommend this vaccine to be boosted every 6 months. State departments of agriculture vary on this. Many require it only every 12 months for dogs visiting kennels and group play facilities. Know the law in your state to avoid over vaccination.

Lyme vaccines are not required. If there is a high instance of Lyme disease in your area and your dog will be hiking, hunting, or participating in vigorous off-leash outdoor activities, it may be considered. This vaccine caused anaphylaxis in one of my dogs. I have never vaccinated for Lyme disease since in any of my animals. Tick repellents are a safe alternative.

3. Practice Green Puppy Beauty Care

Puppies get dirty. Really dirty. They need a bath often. Many companies now make dog shampoos from organic and natural ingredients. Dr. Bronner’s Hemp Oil soaps work splendidly for all my pooches. I use the almond because it is moisturizing and has a mild scent that blends well with a healthy doggie smell. I always use the same human shampoos and conditioners on my dogs that I use on myself. It’s one fewer thing to buy, one fewer bottle – hey that’s greener and cheaper!

Orange oil can be added to your doggie shampoo (Dr. Bronner now makes a citrus blend) to help naturally combat fleas. Very young puppies and puppies that have compromised immune systems from hardships faced before coming to your loving eco-home are extremely vulnerable to pesticides. Fortunately, fleas hate citrus oils. If puppy comes home with fleas, give him a 15 minute soak/massage in a warm bath with natural soap and natural citrus oil. Make this first bath a soothing and luxurious experience to prep him for future bath-time happiness.

4. Feed Green

Feeding your dog well is easy. Feed him the same high quality stuff you like to eat. The higher quality the food, the less you feed and the less they poop. Dogs can’t digest corn very well, so avoid prepared dog food that is high in corn and wheat. Look for foods like meat, fish, potatoes, barley, peas, apples, spinach, kale, and blueberries listed in the ingredients. You can also make your own dog food by making a stew of meats and veggies.

Dogs love veggies. Broccoli “bones” (the stalk left behind after the florets are used for dinner) make a great evening treat. Kale ribs, carrots, and sweet potato peels are great to chop up and mix in for dogs who never seem to feel full. You know, the puppy who inhales his food then stares at you dejected once the bowl is empty? The best veterinarian advice on feeding veggie scraps: Raw veggies are fine if you can stand the gas. I call it “composting inside the dog.”

5. Puppy-Proof Your Green Lifestyle

Speaking of compost… an eco-home has a lot more delicious trouble to get into than you might think. A chicken wire compost is easily dug up, climbed over, and chewed through by even the most obedient puppy. Opt for a sealed tumble-style compost bin or other closed system. If an open compost is right for your family, create a perimeter with rocks, posts, or other deterrent to keep curious noses out.

Eco-safe cleaning products are still dangerous to animals if swallowed. Natural detergents may contain oils that are delicious. Glycerin soaps were a favorite of one of my dogs. The coconut smell you love is way more tempting to your pooch. Keep these items stored where your dog can’t smell them. Keep bathroom doors closed. This will also prevent puppy from starting that awful habit of drinking out of the toilet, which is even more unpleasant if your family flushes frugally.

Green Diva Moms may have amazing kitchen projects like sprouting lentils, rising bread, brewing kombucha, or steeping aromatherapy potions. Puppies’ noses are always on. Training the puppy to behave in the kitchen is essential to maintaining a harmonious home. Baby gates are an ideal way to limit the puppy’s roaming. Consider a training crate for the hours you are away. A crate provides a “den” for your puppy to help him feel protected in your absence.

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