Pet owners with a strong sense of social and environmental justice seek solutions for caring for their pets without supporting unsustainable and unethical businesses. Choosing ethical pet products in Jacksonville means changing the way we think about pet food, pet accessories and toys, and pet care products. Here are some tips for altering your perspective on ethical pet products.
1. Ethical pet food. In an ideal world, you would be able to make all your own pet food. While the ethical pet owner will always try to do this, it is not necessarily feasible to make your own pet food all the time. Pet food that is manufactured in ethical ways becomes the next best thing. Ethical pet food stores carry raw and unadulterated meats and pet food that is processed as little as possible. Some ethical pet food products are still made of raw food. Also, dogs and cats have different nutritional needs. Ethical pet food also means providing the best protein for the breed, age, and health needs of the pet.
2. Medicines and healthcare. As with human healthcare, holistic remedies should be used for preventing problems and ameliorating discomfort. However, serious or acute conditions may require the use of pharmacological or more invasive treatments. In all situations, the least invasive and most ethical treatments should be used first before resorting to harsher methods.
3. Ethical pet toys and accessories. Pet toys are often manufactured in factories that use potentially harmful materials including lead paints and petrochemical plastics. Ethical pet products are made by hand in a way that is socially responsible, or they are made in larger facilities with fair wages for workers. Also, ethical pet products are made with materials that are harmless—harmless to your pet and also harmless to the environment.
