Hemp is one of the hottest buzz-words among environmentalists. This hardy miracle-crop grows rapidly and provides dozens of uses for environmental and industrial purposes. In countries that allow the cultivation of industrial hemp, the crop is used to restore deforested land and to replenish nutrients in soil. Its uses aren’t limited to human beings, though. Hemp materials can be used to make a variety of useful products for dogs and other pets. Choosing hemp products for your dog is just like choosing the best dog food for sensitive stomach and diarrhea. You need to be careful for your dog’s safety. Here are some hemp products to look for when shopping for sustainable goodies for your pooch.
Collars
Hemp collars are stylish and come in dozens of styles. Many websites sell classic handmade hemp collars, which are hand-woven from hemp string and have a hip, earthy look similar to hemp jewelry for humans. Other hemp collars, such as those made by The Good Dog, simply utilize hemp as the base material for making fabrics like canvas and corduroy. These tend to be sturdier and more effective than handmade hemp collars made from hemp rope.
Leashes
Leashes made from hemp material are great for the environment and tend to look stylish. Like hemp collars, hemp leashes can be found in a rustic handmade form, although those items are not particularly durable or long-lasting. Several companies make hemp leashes in multiple colors, fabric types and styles, and these are widely available at both pet-supply stores and green-living stores.
Dog Toys
Hemp is quickly becoming a popular material for dog toys. Hemp rope-toys made for tugging and wrestling with your pooch are durable and can provide a great bonding experience between you and your pet. Some companies and individual artisans also offer “stuffed animal”-type dog toys, which many pets enjoy chewing, carrying and burying. Look for these at your local pet supply store or on handmade-produce websites such as Etsy.com.
Sweaters
Due to its sustainability, comfort and versatility, hemp is now widely used in many clothing items for humans. Hemp sweaters, jackets and T-shirts are great ways to stay warm in the winter regardless of your species. For small or hairless dog breeds, which may need extra warmth and protection in the winter, hemp sweaters can offer a stylish solution. Hemp sweaters for dogs are available in both natural-hemp colors and in bright, fashionable hues.
Fortified Foods and Supplements
Hemp seeds are an excellent source of essential fatty acids, fiber, and protein, and human health-nuts like me swear by them as superfoods. Dogs are natural omnivores and benefit from the inclusion of healthy vegetarian foods in their diets. Hemp provides many of the nutrients that dogs need while adding diversity to the standard grain-and-meat diet that domesticated dogs typically consume. Look for hemp dog foods at your pet supply store or doggy bakery.
The environmental benefits of hemp don’t just apply to products for people. Your pet can benefit from the inclusion of hemp products in all areas of his life, from his diet to his recreation. These increasingly popular products are as good for your pet as they are for the planet we share.
