Give Your Furry Friends Some Extra Love for National Pet Day

Today is National Pet Day and, as if we needed another excuse to spoil our pets, it's a perfect opportunity to take a look at some of the products and toys they use each day. Just like humans, animals are susceptible to the illnesses and diseases that are caused by harmful toxins and off-gassing. One particular culprit is their bed. 

Finding that just-right pet bed is often hard as there are so many fabric choices, sizes, thicknesses and colors to choose from. But have you ever thought about what the beds are made of and treated with?

Did you know that many pet beds are treated with flame retardant chemicals - which are highly toxic to both humans and pets? Some even contain chemicals such as triclosan, which is an antimicrobial chemical that also acts an endocrine disruptor. For those who don’t know, an endocrine disruptor interacts with the body’s hormone system, and in this case, alters it.

Now, why would we want our precious pets to sleep on such harmful chemicals? What if they chew on the bed and ingest these toxins? Our pets love to sleep on couches and carpets throughout the home that may be manufactured with harmful chemicals, and they can spend up to 18 hours a day sleeping, so why would we want to expose our furry friends to anything but toxic-free materials for prolonged periods of time?

Fortunately, there are many alternatives for finding that just-right organic pet bed.

That word “organic” is thrown around a lot these days, but what does it truly mean? Well, it depends on what you’re buying. In this case, it means that your product is made from organic cotton or another organic material, and it’s not manufactured or filled with products that contain harmful chemicals. In short, by choosing organic and toxic-free pet beds, you are giving your pet a clean and healthy space to rest on.

So, what kind of things do you look for when choosing a toxic-free pet bed?

1. Check if the inserts and covers are made from organic materials.
2. Know that products may say, “Made of Recycled Plastic Bottles.” However, just remember that plastic bottles are also made with chemicals.
3. Make sure the products are not manufactured or produced with toxic chemicals.

Earlier this year we received an inquiry regarding pet beds. So Green For A Reason set out to research where we can find better alternatives. And we found a few great ones. Here are some of our suggestions:

1. We talked to a happy pet owner who purchased Holy Lamb Organics and she and her pup are thrilled with the pet bed. In addition to using all natural materials and organic cotton fabrics, Holy Lamb Organics reuse, recycle, or compost every material used in production.

2. The Wool Bed Company has 100% natural organic wool inserts and organic cotton covers available in beige.

3. If you have a large pet The Futon Shop will customize a bed for you! They have four chemical free choices on inserts - depending on how firm your pet likes their bed; 1) Coconut husk and wool 2) Latex and wool, 3) Organic cotton and 4) Pure wool. Choose their chemical free mattress cover and your pet will be resting on a chemical free pet bed in no time!

What about you? Are you just starting your journey to rid your home of toxins, or do you already have pet products you use and love? I'd love to hear your recommendations!