April 1st 2014

Those of us who are fond of the environment and our pets sometimes feel like eco-traitors, thanks to the periodic stories about how pets are ecologically unsound and we’re singlehandedly responsible for global warming. The actual news on pets and the environment is a bit more complicated than some news stories might suggest; as Marion Nestle put it in a takedown of the claim that feeding animals is environmentally destructive, many of these studies are relatively simple and don’t compensate for all the factors involved. For instance, commercial pet food is made with remaindered products, creating a use for scrap materials that would otherwise need to be handled in some likely energy-draining way.

But the fact of the matter is that pets do have an environmental footprint, and it can be quite large.

Read more: http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/20370296/how-to-be-an-eco-friendly-pet-owner#ixzz2xeYgh82h

For many of us, our pet is a member of our family. Therefore it is only natural to provide a safe, healthy and nurturing environment for the animal.

To keep them safe and healthy it is important to stay current with vaccines, deworming, and flea and tick control. You should also provide your pet with a healthy diet, plenty of water, and a safe place to sleep and exercise. And, one of the most important health decisions you’ll make for your pet is to spay or neuter them.

Read more: http://www.examiner.net/article/20140401/News/140409976#ixzz2xeYBVZuF