Natural dog products are becoming increasingly popular due to concerns over the use of chemicals in pet food, pet shampoo and chemicals from the mass production of pet toys and accessories. But unfortunately, missing effective import controls on dog products are putting our furry friends in danger and worsening health issues.
This article will give you an overview of natural dog products, what issues the pet industry faces and which 5 small UK businesses are trying to solve the problem.
Why more owners chose natural dog products for their dog
Many people choose natural dog products because they believe they are healthier. They also think that natural dog products are safer for dogs since there are no added ingredients that could harm them and can increase their quality of life. And it all makes sense! Because what is bad for humans is bad for dogs, too.
Natural dog products should be made without artificial colours, flavours, preservatives, or additives while maintaining a lower carbon footprint to save the environment. Biodegradable options and formulas are even more preferred as their impact on the planet is lower.
Plastic is also the dominant packaging material for all things pet related. For example, 40.8% of pet food products are packaged in plastic.
To keep our pets healthy, we should find the perfect balance between natural dog products and the required plastic to sustain natural dog products. Some brands out there said goodbye to plastic and never looked back.
Top 5 problems with the pet industry and how natural products can solve them
Hooman’s Friend surveyed in September 2022 about the top 2 problems consumers see with the pet accessory industry
The problem of accessories made of synthetic materials like Polyester and Nylon is seen as a consumer's biggest dislike. What is the opposite of synthetic materials? Natural materials!
Another concern for pet owners is low quality and no safety import controls. It's not a secret that most pet products are made in China's biggest factory. There is no legal framework that tests these products when they're imported into the UK. Chlorine, Bromine and Lead are substances regularly found in pet products that can put your dog at risk.
Consumers have also noted unclear recycling guidelines as a concern. For example, natural dog products are, in most cases, biodegradable and can be composted. But many bigger companies are unclear on what to do with rubber toys, nylon collars and polyester leads after reaching their end of life. They rely on the consumer to recycle these goods, but the sad truth is that most end up in landfills.
The responsibility should lie with the big money companies, but profit margin, unfortunately always wins. So let’s look at some local small businesses taking on the responsibility instead.
Top 5 UK brands with a purpose who sell natural dog products
Here we take a closer look at the top five UK brands with a purpose that sell natural dog products. Shampoos, dog toys and dog accessories can be easily bought from local UK companies made from what nature has to offer,
We also provide details about each brand so you can make an informed decision when choosing a natural dog product for your pet.
Best Natural Pet Shampoo – Mountain Garden Botanics
Mountain Garden Botanics uses only nature to clean your dog. Their soap bars are cruelty-free, palm oil free, vegan-friendly, SLS and paraben free. To top it all off, all soaps come in plastic-free packaging. Some soaps keep even pests and ticks away from your dog. Now, this is nature at its best!
Best Natural Dog Treats – The Little Pet Biscuit Company
The Little Pet Biscuit Company produces their handmade treats right in the South of England – West Sussex. All biscuits are lovingly handmade and can be low in gluten or gluten-free for furry friends with allergies. Free of nasties, the way we love it, these treats are natural and contain only wholesome ingredients. No artificial colours or preservatives are used in this lovely little family business.
Best Natural Handmade Pet Feeding Bowls – Moorland Paws
Handmade is the best production method! Try these handmade ceramic bowls for cats and dogs. Moorland Paws is a little Dartmoor business started by Denise, who sources all her products locally in the UK. The bowls are available in two colours and have a paw mark inside and a raised paw on the outside. The Meldon Bowls are straight-sided, and the Scorhill Spaniel bowls have tapered sides, narrower at the top, to keep long ears out. The best thing? No plastic!
Best Natural Rubber Dog Toys – Lucas b. dog toys
Lucas b. Natural Dog Toys are made with 100% natural rubber (latex) from the sap of Hevea Brasiliensis trees. Most rubber dog toys are made from synthetic rubber, which you really don't want in your dog's mouth! Lucas B Toys are free of BPA, phthalates and nitrosamines. Yes, our head is also spinning!
Each chew toy is handmade in Morocco, coloured with natural, food-based dyes, and then hand-painted by artisans with non-toxic, permanent, certified lead-free paints. So even your human baby could chew on these!
Best natural dog accessories – Hooman's Friend
It might be a bit cheeky, but we swear on the natural components of our dog rope toys and dog accessories made from the purest hemp material. Biodegradable, breathable and suitable for pup and planet, hemp is a natural material at its best. Hooman's Friend doesn't sell synthetic materials in their dog collars, leads or harnesses. To reduce plastic packaging, guess what? There is no plastic packaging!
All the above brands have one thing in common:
Nature is all we need to keep our pups safe and save the planet at the same time.
Happy Shopping!
Health Disclaimer: The information provided through this website should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If your dog may have a health problem, you should consult your vet.
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