Eco-conscious pet owners throw the planet a bone

As Seattle traipses down the path of green living, our pets are marching right along, one hemp collar and certified organic cotton chew toy at a time.

In the aptly named Emerald City, we've always had a yen for living in harmony with nature, and our bustling metropolis is regarded as a hotbed for sustainable-this and eco-that. In fact, Seattle rates as the second-largest consumer of organic food in the United States (behind San Francisco), according to a recent study by New York-based Scarborough Research.

So it's no surprise that local pet owners seek out high-quality, eco-friendly products and food for the paws-and-claws contingent, too. "We want the same earth-friendly options for our animals that we have for ourselves," says Jean Chae of Brooklyn-based Simply Fido Organic Toys. "More than ever, people are concerned about the well-being of their pets; feeding them organic food is not enough when many are exposed to products that are harmful to them and the environment."

Chae has a serious point, as many plastic and vinyl pet toys are made with soft PVC (polyvinyl chloride), which contains toxic chemicals. When chewed on, those chemicals can leach into an animal's mouth and cause tumors and organ damage. Toys that use organically grown cotton or natural dyes, on the other hand, are pesticide and chemical free, reduce pet allergies and are biodegradable. Simply Fido's adorable organic plush toys are sold locally at many pet-supply stores, including Mud Bay, A Dog's Dream and Next to Nature.

One of the best stops for eco-conscious goods caters not just to pets, but to everybody. Goods for the Planet in South Lake Union carries a first-rate selection of natural necessities for home, garden and the family pet, including hemp collars, biodegradable cat litter and refillable, earth-friendly toys. While you're there, pick up some green cleaning products for your home. After all, why give your pet an organic toy, only to mop your floor with toxic goo?

Another reliable shop for eco-conscious pet wares is Urban Beast, also in South Lake Union. Urban kitties will fall whiskers over tails for sustainably made scratchers and sleepers from Seattle-based Marmalade Pet Care and contemporary cat furniture made from bamboo plywood from Portland's Square Cat Habitat. If your cat is a modernist at heart -- and so is your décor -- then Marmalade's Cheeky Chaise or Square Cat's Bastet will do nicely, as will treats filled with 100 percent organic catnip. Good dogs will wag for the Bettie, a cheerfully colored nontoxic rubber fetch toy from Otis and Claude.

For bunnies and other small critters, Belltown Feed & Seed stocks earth-friendly options such as Carefresh pet bedding. Made of reclaimed, biodegradable cellulose pulp, the fluffy fiber is a healthier alternative to traditional pine and cedar wood shavings, which have aromatic oils linked to pet health problems.

As you shop for green products for your pets, keep in mind that not everything labeled "natural" is a pet essential, or good for the environment. For instance, Earthbath's pricey "totally natural" grooming wipes for dogs smell good, but they come encased in a bulky, nonrecyclable plastic container destined to sit in a landfill for the next 100 years along with each disposable wipe. Designate a household towel for muddy paws instead.

While it's true that some earth-friendly products can come with a higher price tag initially, eco-conscious choices won't cause your household budget to roll over and play dead if you buy products that will last, and avoid items wrapped in excess packaging (like the aforementioned pet wipes).

A good example of products that are earth-friendly and cost-effective over time are pet beds from local company Big Shrimpy, which are sold in stores throughout Seattle (All the Best, Bark and Pet Elements, to name a few). The plush beds are filled with 100 percent recycled soft fleece scraps. They cost a bit more than beds at big-box stores, but these puppies are built to last. "Every part of the bed is completely washable, including the filling," says owner Bruce Kelling. "A pet bed that can't be cleaned this way ends up in a landfill as soon as you realize the smell is not going away."

While a rectangular dog bed from Target retails for $74.99 and a comparably sized one from Big Shrimpy is priced around $140, only the top cushion on the Target bed can be removed for washing. So do the math: one bed for the life of your pet or dozens of polyester stinkers in the trash, along with your hard-earned cash?

In the end, Big Shrimpy's motto is as simple as their beds are comfy. "Love your pet, love the planet," the company encourages, and it's a phrase that seems to be hitting home here in Seattle.

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