If You Are Buying Something For Your Dog, Read The Label

If you have a dog the chances are that it will become a major part of your life. It needs looking after, feeding, exercising and cleaning. In return it provides infinite fun, love and can even help keep you fit.

We therefore tend to build a close relationship with these little furry bundles of joy and want the best for them. We want to give them treats and food that they will love, toys that will keep them entertained and grooming products that will help keep them looking good and in tip top condition.

Unfortunately there are many products and 'treats' out there that might look good but that your dog could react badly to. As far as my own dog is concerned I try and choose organic whenever I can and make sure that products are hypoallergenic, wheat-gluten free and low in fat and do not contain any chemicals or anything artificial. If you use a company such as Lily's Kitchen you really can't go far wrong. For further details go to http://www.justrewardpethampers.co.uk

As far as toys are concerned it is important to take into account that there is a high chance that at some time these could get lost. I agree that it might not always be possible but I try and make sure that the toys I buy are made from natural biodegradable materials. This is especially true as far as balls are concerned, which are probably the most common toy we lose. Sure, there can be a compromise here between the toughness and durability of such toys and their green credentials but a manufacturer called Beco has produced a remarkable, almost indestructible, ball which is made from 100% biodegradable materials. Follow the same link above for further details.

Care must also be taken with shampoos. A dog's skin is naturally more sensitive than a human's. One reason for this is that it is a lot thinner. If your dog has particularly sensitive skin you should avoid buying shampoos that contain synthetic ingredients, such as deodorants, dyes or fragrances and chemicals such as alcohol, paraben, phosphate or salt.
Ingredients such as aloe vera, glycerin, honey and jojoba oil however have been shown to help heal irritated canine skin and to reduce the accompanying scratching.

To sum up, many people now read labels carefully before buying food or other products for themselves. The same should be true when buying for your dog, or indeed any pet.

David Law