Video Review: Eco-Friendly Dog Games by Nina Ottosson

Dogs love to play games inside and out, but this is usually limited to fetching balls or frisbees, squeaking toys, and tugging ropes. Like humans, dogs like to be mentally stimulated, but they rarely get the chance with typical games and toys. That's where Nina Ottosson comes in - this company makes interactive dog activity games, many of which are eco-friendly. These toys give dogs a chance to use problem solving skills to get food rewards, which is a great way to keep them occupied under your supervision at home. You can learn more about the importance of mental activity for dogs by clicking here.

According to the Nina Ottoson website, their products are made from "only the very best materials in the care and safety for our dogs, ranging from packaging to the smallest detail can be submitted for recycling or incineration." The wood used to make the toys comes from Swedish beech trees and every part of the tree is used in the process. Their plastics are non-toxic and recyclable and are made from 40% plastic and 60% wood shavings.

Evie loves playing with them and as a Jack Russell she got the hang of them pretty fast, however it was still a bit of a challenge. It's fun for the both of us and I don't have any eco-guilt.

Featured in High Desert Dog Magazine!

A few months ago I was approached by High Desert Dog magazine, who asked if I would write an article about raising a vegan dog. I received the published issue in the mail today and am so honored to be in a section entitled "Humanely Healthy Diets", which also features articles by PETA, James Peden of VegeDog, and vet Dr. Armaiti May, who have all influenced and guided my journey with Evie. The feature on the plant-based diet for dogs is a wonderful summary of how healthy and easy it is, dispelling many myths on the subject. Check it out!

Video Natural Flea Control and Treatment For Dogs

Fleas are a common problem when living with a dog and a incredibly frustrating. The itchy, the scratching, the picking - and dogs have to deal with this too! Fleas are such a natural canine issue you'd think there would be more natural solutions to getting rid of them, but unfortunately the options are few and not very well-known. Few dog lovers realize the harmful consequences of putting on chemical-based sprays, drops, collars, feeding pills, or setting off flea bombs. Dogs can also become resistant to popular flea products like Frontline and Advantage, so they might not work after a while.

Luckily I've had some good luck with various natural flea control methods and treatments, so here is my best advice

1. Keep dogs as clean as possible and check for fleas everyday with flea comb. When coming back from walks, wipe off with a wet cloth or in the bath tub.
2. Find a shampoo that has some tea tree and lavender in it and give a bath with that regularly. I like Olive green dog lavendar shampoo.
3. Spray with a all natural flea remedy like J&J's. You can also try neem oil or spray, but it is very strong and is best mixed in with something like shampoo.
4. Vacuum regularly
5. Dust your home with diatomaceous earth - warning, it's kinda messy and annoying! You can also use the Flea Buster service. Other people recommend using Borax the same way.
6. Garlic in the diet supposedly helps, but I haven't seen a major effect. I've given Evie PetGuard Yeast and Garlic tablets.
7. Amber W. recommends fennel, which I've never tried but I love the plant. She says to "crush and rub the juice on the coat. Brew for a spray by juicing from the whole, fresh plant -- stems, mostly, but the whole thing. Keep potted plants around the house!"
8. If all else fails, Dr. Armaiti May recommends Comfortis (aka Spinosad), an oral once a month organic pill that is approved for use in dogs that can be prescribed by a veterinarian. It kills fleas in all their life stages and is very safe, but does not kill ticks.

Video: Green Bags for Dog Poop - Biodegradable, Compostable, & Flushable Options

Did you know that there are over 70 million dogs in the United States? And each one creates up to 300 lbs of waste a year on average! It's the law to pick up after dogs to prevent pollution and water contamination, but many people use plastic bags to do this. These bags end up in landfills where they may never degrade, and the waste inside can't decompose naturally. With dog waste taking up about the same space in landfills as baby diapers, this is a problem.

Luckily, there's an easy solution: eco-friendly dog waste bags! There are many to choose from, but here are my suggestions:

• Biodegradable and certified compostable bags by BioBag, which are made from non-GMO corn and can degrade in 10 days when properly composted. You can create a special compost in your backyard for them, ask to add them to a community garden compost, or bury them about a foot under ground. If none of those options are possible, say you live in a big city like I do, throw them in the trash - they have a much better change at decomposing than plastic does. BioBags are widely available at pet stores and markets, and run about $5 for a box of 50.
• They are some great flushable dog waste bags available as well, and these may be an even better environmental choice, according to the EPA. Companies like FlushDoggy make water-soluble bags out of polyvinyl alcohol, which degrade in water. Pick up waste in the bag and flush the whole thing down the toilet, or empty it out in the toilet and flush the bag separately or toss the soiled bag in the trash. These type of bags are hard to find in stores, but are easily to buy online - FlushDoggy charges $20 for a pack of 100, so twice the price as BioBags.

Check out this video to learn more and see these bags in action, thanks to Evie! : )

Video: Vegan Dog Vet Check-Ups & Spay with Dr. Armaiti May, DVM

Raising a vegan dog can feel scary at first because there aren't enough people talking about it, and many will try to convince you that it's unhealthy. However, the guidance of a confident vet will put your worries behind. I was fortunate to have the expertise of Dr. Armaiti May in Los Angeles, who specializes in vegan dogs and cats (check out my interview with her). I was very cautious and nervous in the first 6 months I had Evie, but Armaiti always put my mind at ease. She allowed me to record several of our initial check-ups and I even got some footage of her at the clinic after Evie was spayed.

Enjoy this video that takes you along with me and Evie as we learn how to make sure she's healthy on the vegan diet, and see her recovery from a successful spay by Dr. Armaiti May. If you're not in Los Angeles, this video may inspire you to find a vet that will be open and equally as professional when it comes to raising a vegan dog.