Thanksgiving is just around the corner, as anyone who has looked at the covers of the magazines on line at the grocery will tell you.  There must be a dozen new ways to prepare string bean casserole, not to mention that center of attention: the turkey.  Can’t you smell that delicious roasting bird?

Trust Eco Lassie: Your pets can, and being the cute and darling members of your family that they are, deserve their own T-Day treats. After all, the Pilgrims were big on sharing.

And don’t over those smaller pets at holidays. They like treats, too. Just remember that gerbils, hamsters, rats and birds cannot eat meats.

But these smaller pets would love small bits of carrot or broccoli dropped into their cage. Birds can eat small pieces of cooked carrots and love cranberries.

Pumpkin is something dogs and cat digest well. Eco-Lassie keeps it on hand for her Spinone, Radar. Pumpkin will straighten out your dogs digestive system if you add a few tablespoons, depending on the size of your dog, to his meal.

How about Tom Turkey: can you safely feed your pets? The answer is yes, with some considerations and cautions. If we’re talking raw turkey, your pet can eat any part of it, including the packet of giblets, and even the bones and necks.    As Eco Lassie has mentioned before, dogs and cats are carnivores and in the wild, eat anything they forage.  And yes, it’s always raw.  The splintering of bones you read about only occurs if you feed your pet cooked turkey bones.   So any part of the turkey can be fed to them if it’s raw.  This includes the wings and the neck.

The situation changes radically if we’re talking about cooked turkey. You may want to share your leftovers with your pet.  This is when you avoid cooked bones, and just give them meat.  Avoid cooked turkey fat and skin; it has too much fat in it and can give your pet diarrhea and, if enough is taken in, or even the more severe and painful pancreatitis.

But there is no question your cat or dog will like turkey meat.  Many pet foods, especially those designed for pets with sensitive stomachs, contain turkey. Watch your cat attack her dinner when you mix in a little chopped turkey and sweet potato!

Let’s assume you just want your dog or cat to share in your good meal.  Dogs and cats can have cooked vegetables in small amounts, too.  You should avoid onions, garlic, raisins and sage, but green beans, a small amount of sweet potatoes, and even a touch of gravy will give your pet a Thanksgiving feast he will enjoy!

Is there any doubt in your mind?

After dinner, the same tryptophans that make you sleepy can affect your pet, so don’t be surprised when you doze off to find your pet right besides you!

Today is the last day to enter the VZ Wraps giveway!

There’s no question we love our pets and also no question that even the cutest of cats and dogs can trample, dig, crush, tear and leave their little presents in our nice rows of fresh veggies and flowers. What to do that doesn’t mean using the very kind of commercial repellent we’ve been trying to avoid?

Try soaking cotton balls in citrus (or mint or menthol) essential oils and place around the garden perimeter. Many pets are repelled by these scents. You may have to change the balls weekly or after a heavy rain until your pet figures out the garden is a no-go area.

Use rose prunings, if you have them, around the base of larger established plants. Paws, especially those sensitive cat pads, will not relish these thorny clippings and quickly find a new pathway.

The visual image of a barrier works wonders for cats and dogs. Try using floating row covers, which some of you may already by using to prevent insects and birds from feasting on those tasty shoots of budding plants and flowers. Planet Natural has the most reasonable I could find, and there are many other sites that sell the garden material on rolls. You can water and fertilize right through this light, breathable barrier without removing it.

Of course, there ARE some benefits to having our pets near our gardens. Cats will reduce the amount of mice, voles and moles if they are in your area; dogs scent and barking will keep deer and groundhogs at bay, or at the very least, in your neighbor’s yard!

Happy Gardening~

With over two thousand pets traveling through its airport this year, Logan International in Boston has outfitted two ambulances that can respond to pet emergencies under their program “Passengers with Paws.” Paramedics, firefighter, police troopers and baggage handlers all receive special training in safely handling boarding pets, including bandaging pet wounds and giving CPR to “patients” as small as 20 pounds. The program came into being as more people travel with service animals, take pets on vacation, or by them from breeders across the country and have them shipped home.

Last year 39 animals died while in the care of airlines, according to the US Department of Transportation. An additional 13 were injured and 5 were lost, a hurtful tragedy to any pet owner. Airlines such as Delta and American are working to enhance handling procedures and providing regular training for employees responsible for transporting animals, as well as with animal-rescue groups in local areas. These groups also help to identify the best practices for pet care.

Logan’s classes are run by veterinarians or vet techs with a real dog to practice on. The class teaches proper ways to muzzle dogs, and how to apply a leash in an emergency. They also show how to get a pet out of a crate without allowing it escape: tip it upright, work a slip-led leash around the animal’s neck before righting it.

The program is run in conjunction with the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, which provides vets to train workers, and the Animal Rescue League pf Boston, which now parks a pet ambulance at the airport to allow the transfer of sick animals to a veterinary hospital.

“Obese” in pets is defined as 30% above their normal weight. The main causes are exactly what you’d think: owners overfeed their pets, and don’t exercise them enough. Owners with pet insurance have made it possible to track some of the costs of medical problems this causes their pets. In 2010, $25 million dollars was paid to vets for obesity-related conditions.

These include ligament ruptures, disc disease, and asthma. Other common problems your pet can endure with too much weight to carry around are diabetes, arthritis, kidney failure and high blood pressure.

How can you tell if your pet is carting around too many pounds to be healthy? Try to feel your pet’s ribs. Can you find them easily or do you have to root around? Check out a side view of your pet. That hanging belly indicates excess fats. Cats whose bellies drag on the floor are called “swishers” and this is not the way to keep your floors clean! Finally, look at your pet from above. You should be able to see a moderate tapered look of a ‘waistline’ instead of a flat, broad back.

What can pet owners do to avoid overfeeding their pets? Increasing  exercise and decreasing portion size usually is the first and easiest step. A high-protein and fiber, low-fat diet helps. Cutting back on snacks and table scraps is another big area to consider. If your pet needs a snack, try steamed veggies. Buy biscuits in the smallest size, no matter the size of your pet, and break them in half. Finally, calculating calories will help you to figure out the right portion size for your pet.

Don’t forget, commercial pet food companies want to sell their food and want you to use it up quickly. Their label recommendations may be too much portion size for your pet, especially if Fifi or Max has been neutered or spayed, or gets little exercise. Like ease, or leaving your pet at a kennel or with a sitter? Hill’s Pet Nutition, Inc. which makes Science Diet and Prescription Diet foods, has a line of weight-reduction food systems with meals and biscuits in pre-measured packets.

Increase exercise for your pet. Even chasing a toy or a laser pointer is good for your inside cat. Large breed dogs need 30-60 minutes of play or a walk of 2-3 miles a day to remain fit; smaller breeds 15-30 minutes. Cats need shorter bursts of activity several times a day; 5-15 minutes of toy chasing will keep Lola slim.

You can check calories for many food brands at: www.petobesityprevention.com. Here are some typical stats:

Labrador retriever: 55-75 lbs; 980-1,300 daily calories

Beagle: 18-30 lbs; 380-575 cal.

Yorkshire terrier: under 7 lbs; 180-200 cal.

German shepherd dog: 75-95 lbs; 1,300-1,650 cal.

Golden Retriever: 55-75 lbs; 980-1,300 cal.

Cats: standard, 8-12 lbs, with males 2-4 lbs heavier than females. Larger breeds, such as a Maine Coon cat, may be fine at 18 lbs.

Now that you know the facts, you can assess your pet’s weight, keep them healthier, and most of all, have their companionship to a ripe old age.

Don’t forget about the Eco Women’s blog anniversary giveaway! Leave a comment on this post until 11:59 p.m. EST tonight.

Neither Eco Lassie nor Eco Women receive any consideration from noted companies.

With Valentine’s Day on the horizon, Eco Lassie wanted to remind pet owners of the many ways you can show your pet how much you love them. maybe your horse needs a new blanket, or that ferret could use a new cage. Here are a few ideas:

Spa Day: Consider a grooming day for your pet, complete with nails clipped, bath, and nice-smelling conditioner. If you don’t want to spring for a professional do, have a home spa day–Mitzi or Butch will still smell as good!

Vet check: Is your pet on heart-worm medicine? Has he or she had a good checkup recently at his vet? Our pets need preventive medicine, too, so consider a good vet visit, and don’t forget to spay or neuter your pet.

Comfy cozy: Does your dog or cat tend to nap in the same room where you are? FetchDog.com has a set of Eco-Friendly nappers for pets starting at $29,with free shipping just in February.

They also carry Pegetable Dog Chews. These veggie medley treats are derived from real vegetables and contain vitamins, minerals, proteins and antioxidents. Available in two sizes, the large dog size is a bag of 18 chews for $19.75.

And for V-Day, consider their Red Dingo ID tag, a pink disc with a darker pink heart inside for $12.95. There are soy collars, and All-Natural Chew Toys available,too.

We know dogs and cats can’t have chocolate, but they CAN eat carob without negative effect. The Barker’s Dozen carries all natural and organic pet treats made daily. Try their special Valentine’s Day Boxed Set for only $9.99. You’ll get five heart-shaped Big Dipper treat, their signature chicken treat dipped in natural carob. Also included are four carob dipped peanut butter cups.  My Spinone is licking his lips for these!  shop.thebakersdozen.com.

Whatever way you choose to show your pet you love them, they will appreciate all of your efforts!

Eco Lassie and the Eco Women do not profit from the mention of these sites in any way.

Pet lovers often include their pets in their holiday traditions, from adding their name or picture to the yearly card to buying pet-specific presents. Those who know you are an animal lover may have given you  a gift certificate to find something involving you and your love for your pet.  Wondering where to put those pet dollars? Here are a few options for your consideration:

My Dog Tulip by J. R. Ackerly. In 1947, the author rescued an 18-month old German Shepherd dog named Tulip. How their relationship changed his life as they roamed London is the captivating story he shares. While the story was made into an animated movie in 2009, this original still thrills book lovers everywhere. Available through NYRB Classics for $14.

Every pet owner should have a comprehensive medical manual for their beloved companion. One of the better ones is Home Veterinary Handbook, (Wiley, $35) available in versions for dogs, cats and horses. This comprehensive series is constantly updated and now includes sections on holistic medicine and organic diets.

Always wondered what your pet sees when he disappears into your garden or woods? How about watching nature from his viewpoint? The Pet’s Eye View Camera hangs on your pet’s collar and can be programmed to snap photo’s at timed intervals. See what Radar and Lily see! Available for $50 from fredflare.com.

Uncommon Goods is always a hoot of unusual items when their catalogue arrives in the mail. They carry Dog and Cat Salad Servers, hand cast in Oregon in solid lead-free pewter. Dishwasher safe and handy to hold, get the pair for $65 at uncommongoods.com.

How about a cozy Hemp Collar, adjustable, and lined with fleece for comfort? Available in a variety of warm earth tones, these eco-friendly collars are naturally died and super-strong. Each has a quick-release buckle of of nylon-reinforced plastic for extra durability, whether your pet swims in a river daily, as mine does, or romps through winter snowdrifts. $19-20 at planetdog.com.

Finally, still feeling that holiday glow and want to pass it on? Try the Good Karma Rope Toy, available in a variety of animal shapes and sizes for all breeds of dogs. Eco-friendly, made from chemical-free naturally dyed cotton thread, all toys are hand-tied and naturally fray to act like doggie dental floss! Great for teething pupies or dogs who like to chew, play, tug or fetch. Safe and also machine washable. And placing the tips of the toys in water and freezing guarantees happy gums. The toys run from $14-16 at jaxandbones.com. And here’s the added bonus: a portion from each sale is donated to the Rescue Train, a non-profit organization dedicated to saving animal lives. How cool is that?

(As usual, neither Eco Lassie nor the Eco Women receive consideration for mentioning these products.)

Let’s start with some of those stocking stuffers:

“30 LOVE ECO” tennis balls–ten for $10–come in a variety of colors and are guaranteed to make your friend’s pooch drool for a game of fetch. Add a personalized bucket to keep them in for $7. bambeco.com has a wide variety of eco-friendly gifts under $50.

With its tall back and easy-to-clean cargo floor, the Dog Friendly Pet System accommodates most dogs. First there’s the soft-sided car kennel, made by an automotive safety supplier of seat-belt grade vinyl webbing.

Next, this cushioned pet bed sits on top on an elevated platform so Fido or Fifi can look outside. Under the platform hides an extendable ramp, for easy on-and-off access.

There’s even an added ventilation fan for your pooch back there.

The car’s occupants get  bone-patterned rubber floor mats, too, as part of the deal.

The package includes a paw-shaped badge on the driver’s door:

AND a sign on the rear door let’s tail-gaters know you have precious cargo onboard:

The package is available starting in November for $995.

Eco Lassie does not get paid for mentioning this to dog lovers out there.

Enviro Girl HATED the cat litter she was using–it had a strong perfumey odor, was terribly dusty and seemed to kick all over the floor in nasty little gritty sheets.  Swheat Scoop proclaimed itself a natural wheat litter–wheat?  Wheat?

With nothing to lose at this point, she grabbed a box.  Swheat Scoop promised to eliminate odors and not have a chemical-perfumey smell.  It would clump, produce less dust, be safe for the cat and be 100% biodegradable.   Biodegradable? Yes, even compostable (after scooping).  AND Swheat Scoop is sewer and septic safe.  Which means no more wrapping clumps in newspaper and throwing in the trash. Sure, it cost a bit more than the other cat litter, but if it did all it promised, it was totally worth $2 extra to Enviro Girl.

The verdict?   Lady Vi is using her litter box once more.  The room does not smell because her waste is flushed and other odors are absorbed through the wheat enzymes.  Wheat’s a renewable resource and by composting the leftover litter, the environmental footprint of cat litter is nearly ZERO.   Enviro Girl also liked how the box was not lined, meaning NO litter was wasted while pouring it out into the litter box.  Check out the Swheat Scoop site to learn where you can buy Swheat Scoop Natural Wheat Litter–Enviro Girl bought her box at Target, but it’s also sold at PETCO and PETsMART.

*Enviro Girl bought Swheat Scoop Natural Wheat Litter of her own volition, the Swheat Scoop people have not offered her any free product or other compensation for this endorsement.

It’s just a fact of life, and a sobering one when you consider that doggie poop alone in the US on a yearly basis would fill a football field up to 800 feet high!  Pet waste that is not picked up washes into waterways and groundwater, where it releases contaminants, affecting the local habitat.

You can use biodegradable bags, like those on a roll from Biobagusa.com ($5.49 for 40 bags) and that’s a good start compared to plastic bags that take a biodegradable product and enclose it in something that will remain for hundreds of years in a landfill.  The negative to these is that they require oxygen exposure to breakdown, something they may or may not get in a landfill.

Another alternative is to flush waste in the toilet into your septic or sewer system, using flushable bags made from polyvinyl alcohol.  These bags dissolve in water.  Flusheze bags are available from PetHabitats.com ($12.95 for 60 bags).  If your pets drink out of your toilet, like my Spinone does, just make sure your toilet is always flushed so the water is fresh.

Committed environmentalists can always invest in a home septic system made specifically for poop.  There are several companies that make these compost systems purposely designed for pet waste, which use enzymes and good bacteria to break down waste.  This compost is not to be used in gardens growing edibles due to the risk of disease.  Doggie Dooley and StayWell Eco Clean are two brands available on many different web sites.  They range in price from approximately $50-85, they are designed to last for years.

Of course, if  you believe in leaving things to the professional, you can always contact Pet Butler.  For anywhere from $7.50 to 16.50 a visit, depending on how many pets and how many times a month you have them visit, they will scoop your poop for you! I kid you not.  They call themselves Professional Pet Waste Removers and their website claims that to date that they have “over 57 million Poops Scooped”.  With many franchise outposts across the US, they’ve been in business for over 20 years.  Of course, there are none in Eco Lassie’s neck of the woods~

What if you’re the ultimate do-it-yourself-er? Ohioan Kim Palmer shares her green option to create your own personal pet disposal system that will break down waste to a harmless liquid:

1. Take an old garbage can and drill a dozen holes in the side.

2. Cut out the bottom.

3. Dig a hole in the ground deep enough for the can.

4. Toss rocks or gravel into the hole for drainage and position the can on top so it’s slightly higher than the ground.

5. Deposit waste and sprinkle in septic starter and water.  Voila!

This can be used for dog poops or used clay cat litter.  Plant a shrub in front of your ‘bin’ and no one will know your secret!  I may have to try this one at our house.

By the way, pet urine is sterile!  Thank goodness, because Eco Lassie can’t even begin to think about how to collect that!