doggie
Benefits of Organic Pet Products
benefits of organic pet products

You want your pets to lead long, happy lives. Here are some reasons why organic pet food and accessories will help them do that.

Nutrition: Some studies indicate that organic food may contain more nutrients, such as vitamin C and iron, than conventionally raised food. One reason for this may be that organically grown food is raised in fertile soil that’s not been depleted by chemicals.

Taste: Some researchers believe that because organic food is grown in such fertile soil, it tastes better than conventionally grown food.

Treatment of disease: Since growth hormones and antibiotics are prohibited in organic production, organic meat and poultry – and the pet food that’s made from it – is antibiotic-free. This means that your pets may have less of a chance in the future of becoming resistant to antibiotics – antibiotics that could help cure them of a serious disease or illness one day.

Health: Organic production’s prohibition of synthetic pesticides and other chemicals means that organic dog leashes and other fiber products, as well as organic pet food, were produced under conditions that allow for significantly less pesticide residue than conventionally grown products. (Organic crops may not be 100 percent pesticide free, as synthetic pesticide residue can blow onto organic farmland from neighboring fields.) Since some studies have linked pesticide exposure to cancer and other serious illnesses, buying organic could lead to better health for your pets.

Environment: Organic production respects our air, water, soil and wildlife with its ban on synthetic chemicals. So, by buying pet products that are made from organic fiber and food, you’re helping to create a clean, healthy environment.

Good for sensitive skin: Organic clothing doesn’t contain chemical dyes or other synthetic ingredients that might cause allergic reactions in your pets.

Support of local farms: Organic fiber and food are often grown locally on small farms. Therefore, by buying organic products for your pets, you’re supporting your community, not to mention organic agriculture as a whole.

discovering the organic pet

You hate to admit it, but when it comes down to it, your pets are like regular members of your family. You feed them, cuddle them and pamper them with the more-than-occasional treat. In this section, you’ll find information about organic pet products, including food and accessories.

pet circles
  • Food
  • Supplies
  • Habitat
organic pets cost comparison
PRODUCT NORMAL ORGANIC
case of canned cat food $8.99 $39.99
case of canned dog food $15.99 $35.99
catnip $2.29 $2.29
cat treats $2.29 $4.99
dog cookies $5.49 $6.99
dog treats $4.99 $6.99

* This chart reflects an informal survey of in-store and online non-sale prices at national and Detroit-area retailers in summer 2007. Prices at your local stores may be different, as costs vary greatly by season, location, availability and retailer.

organic pet cost comparison
becoming organic

Organic pet foods must meet the same U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines that govern other types of organic food. For example, they must be made with no genetically modified ingredients, growth hormones, steroids, antibiotics, synthetic pesticides or chemical fertilizers. They also can’t contain preservatives – which many conventional pet foods do – or other additives, like fillers or artificial colors. For more detailed information on organic food, check out our food section.

Organic fiber-related pet products, such as dog sweaters, must also meet the USDA’s standards. For example, products whose labels indicate they are made with organic cotton must contain cotton grown on farms that were certified by a third-party agency and that used no herbicides, insecticides or other synthetic chemicals to control weeds or pests. For more detailed information on organic fiber, check out our clothing section.

Organic pet-care products, such as shampoo, are not currently regulated by any government agency, which means there are no specific federal guidelines for such products. Some of these products might reflect the basic ideas of an organic lifestyle. For example, they might not contain any artificial ingredients or additives. But the only way to know if a pet-care item is truly certified organic is to look for the USDA Organic seal, which such products may carry if at least 95 percent of their ingredients were organically produced.