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Green pets
In these days of limited resources, anti-meat farming and issues around waste, can we still have pets in our lives? A resounding YES!
Studies have shown for those who live alone, owning a dog can decrease your risk of death by 33% and their risk of cardiovascular-related death by 36%. Chances of having a heart attack are 11% lower.
A 2019 review found dog ownership lowers your risk of dying from any cause by 24%.
Other studies have found similar statistics for cats as well, and having pets reduces allergies and boosts immune function. They up your fitness quotient, reduce stress and can lift your mood.
So if you look at the eco-impacts of not having this in your life, (especially around health services and medications) then it becomes a good deal.
Food
* Real food is always better. Scraps are how they first came into to human partnership, so don’t deny this.
* There are great recipes out there for making your own food. With my last farm dog I made a brew using rice and silver beet and scraps of meat.
* Grains need to be monitored as some animals will react to them.
* Processed food from your table is not a good idea.
* With a biscuit product I always try to feed at a different time to raw meat. The stomach of a cat or dog will change pH to strongly acid to dissolve bones. Having grain-based product in the same feeding time can confuse this response and the bones mightn’t break down properly
Poo
* Obviously we are all getting better at picking up after our pets. I don’t like the idea of it all going to landfill , even in a biodegradable bag. The solution is at home placing it under thick mulch that you keep under your fruit tress.
* There is a pipe system you can bury in the garden. The bags go down this and the worms take care of it.
And a couple of other green pet tips
* Avoid choosing a fancy bred that is known to be unhealthy or comes from a “pet farm”
* Please keep cats indoor at night especially if near native bush
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