A cardinal checks out the Bird Photo Booth, a bird feeder cam available online. Photo courtesy of Janice on Facebook.

Dec. 18, 2018

Surprise your bestie (or beastie) by choosing gifts this season that are better for her or him and the planet by selecting sustainable and chemical-free alternatives. Support these local and national merchants with goodies that you’ll find around DFW and online. Any pricing or discounts listed are subject to change and are at the discretion of the individual merchants.

AVAILABLE LOCALLY:

Dog toyNearly-Indestructible Dog Toy

Start a fun game of tug-of-war with your furry friend and the Bumi dog toy. It’s super durable and guaranteed to be long-lasting even for active chewers. Fun also for flinging and fetch, the Bumi is lightweight yet tough – plus it floats! Eco-friendly, nontoxic and dishwasher safe, the Bumi is made in Bozeman, Montana by West Paw, named “One of the Best Small Companies in America” by Forbes Magazine. Moulded from West Paw’s proprietary Zogoflex®, the material is both recycled and recyclable through the company’s website. Watch a short video about the Bumi here. Available at Whole Foods locally for $13.49. 

Ceramic Cat Treat Canister

Cat canisterMany cat treats are made with chemicals that are anything but good for your furry feline. Here's an easy recipe to make your own cat yummies using only three high-quality ingredients – and then store them in this airtight canister, made of durable ceramic. The adorable design will look great in your kitchen and keep the dog from sneaking a bite! The embossing is loud and clear and might just be reading your cat’s mind, "You gotta be kitten me.” 6.4 inches height and 5 inches diameter. $12.99 at World Market stores and online.

Vegan dog chewsVegan Dog Chews

Don’t like to give your pets rawhide chews? Dogs go crazy for Whimzees® and you’ll love the fun shapes of these long-lasting vegan treats made from delicious vegetable fiber that helps to clean Fido’s teeth as they chew. The alligator, hedgehog, stix and brushzees shapes get between teeth to loosen tartar while they freshen breath. Whimzees are grain-free, gluten-free and GMO-free. Low-fat formula with added vitamins, antioxidants and fiber to promote regularity and aid in digestive health. Made sustainably in Holland. Large, 14-piece tub is $24.99 at Hollywood Feed locations around town. Other sizes also available.

Bird TreatsBird Seed Treats

Wild Birds Unlimited is a nature-lover’s paradise. No wonder that their west Dallas store is on “Lover’s” Lane. These zany birdfood characters such as snowmen and gingerbread men are not just made to look cute – they are formulated with nutritious, high-energy ingredients including sunflower meats, peanuts, pecans and fruit to attract cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, wrens and winter warblers. They’re like granola for birds. Great for chickens too! Can be hung with a simple wire or made part of an elaborate birdfeeding station. Store owner, David Hurt, says that these adorable seed shapes are some of their most popular gifts for your backyard avian friends. Starting under $10. Wild Birds Unlimited, 5715 West Lovers Ln, Dallas 75209

Super Coop 

Chicken coopYour hard-working egg-layers deserve new digs this holiday from Rooster Home & Hardware, Lake Highland’s favorite funky hardware store/feed supply. The Pacific Coast coop will turn your gals into backyard surfers! The sunny design features three nesting boxes, two windows, roosting perch, two access doors for cleaning and even a small planter box to grow a tasty treat for your hens. Summerhawk coops are made from sustainable Canadian Hemlock with a thick PVC corrugated roof and powder-coated steel pen. Three-year manufacturer’s warranty. Easy to assemble in about an hour. Also great for rabbits and small pets. $399.99. See the full line of coops as well as Summerhawk beehives at Rooster Home & Hardware, 10233 East Northwest Hwy. Suite 409, Dallas 75238. 

Dog Bath Distraction Pad

Tub boneIf bathing isn’t your dog’s favorite activity, or even if it is, he’ll love the Lick Lick Pad, a handy and innovative device that sticks to any smooth tile wall and helps to keep your pup busy. Simply smear the pad with peanut butter or his favorite soft food and he’ll lick instead of trying to escape the bath. Made from 100 percent food-grade silicone that contains no PBA, BPS, lead or phthalates (FDA, CPSC and CPSIA relevant tests performed by independent lab). Turns bath time into treat time, you may find him hopping in with you! Great for grooming too. $9.99 at Container Store locations around DFW.

Organic dog treatsOrganic Dog Treats

On our list last year but we decided to repeat them because they are so handy to keep on hand. Have you ever wished for a dog biscuit that you could also eat? Grandma Lucy’s Oven Baked Organic Dog Treats are made from people-safe, vegan ingredients that are healthy and delicious for your canine family members – and they taste pretty good to people as well. The company boasts that 60 percent of their customers eat the goodies when they share them with their pets. With flavors like Apple, Pumpkin and Blueberry – who wouldn’t want at least a bite?!? Just $7.99 per 14 oz. bag at Roach Feed in Garland. You’ll finds lots of unusual gift ideas while shopping in the genuine vintage charm of Roach Feed & Seed, 409 Main St, Garland 75040.

No-bath dog shampooDry Dog Shampoo

Our friends at White Rock Soap Gallery have won multiple awards including this year’s D Magazine honors. A visit to one of their three Metroplex locations and you’ll soon see why. Freshen your pet’s coat between baths with White Rock Soap Gallery’s Dry Dog Shampoo. Ingredients include Colloidal Oatmeal, Kaolin Clay and Arrowroot Powder, it gently cleans away dirt and oil without stripping your dog’s coat of essential oils. Sweet lavender helps soothe dry and itchy skin and smells fresh without overpowering. Choose light or dark formula, depending on dog’s coat color. Great for pets who hate to get wet as well as older dogs. $9 for 4 oz. at White Rock Soap Gallery in Lake Highlands, Bishop Arts area in Oak Cliff or on the square in McKinney. Also available online at WhiteRockSoapGallery.com.

AVAILABLE ONLINE:

Books for Pet Lovers

Animal BooksDallas animal lover, Kim Young, has done it again with a wonderful selection of books for animal companions at her online store, Pretty Things and Cool Stuff. A few site fav’s are The Inner Life of Cats: The Science and Secrets of Our Mysterious Feline Companions, How Dogs Work and As Kingfishers Catch Fire. About Kingfisher, Kim comments, “Beautifully illustrated and illuminated by the celebrated graphic artist Neil Gower, As Kingfishers Catch Fire is a book to love and to hold, to return to again and again, to marvel at the way that authors across the centuries have captured the endless grace and variety of birds.” Check out some of Kim’s other finds at PrettyThingsandCoolStuff.com

Recycled Plastic Dog Toy

Recycled plastic dog toyThe Boogey is one dog toy that won’t get lost! Its bright pink color is sure to be a standout. Stuffed with IntelliLoft, West Paw's® eco-friendly fill made from recycled plastic, the toy is a full 12” tall and suitable for medium to large dogs. 

Boogey is incredibly soft for delicate mouths with a long-lasting squeaker that will keep your dog busy and happy for hours. Crafted by hand in Bozeman, Montana. Offered locally at Dolphin Blue, a Dallas-based eco-friendly office supply that also carries a wide selection of organic home products and pet supplies – delivered to your door. $20.95 on DolphinBlue.com.


Hemp Dog Collars

hemp pet collarsWhy should people have all the fun? Earthdoggy is the place to find cool gifts for your natural pet. Pretty up your pal with these colorful collars made from Earth-friendly hemp. Hemp is known for its hypoallergenic nature and durability. 1-inch wide and offered in small, medium and large, collars are available in five colors (Ash, Blueberry, Fuchsia, Leaf) and un-dyed natural, these collars soften with wear making them even more comfy for your pooch. Made in Nashville by Earthdog, a vegan, family-run company. Collars can be disassembled at end of use and the hemp can be composted plus other parts can be recycled. Quick-release hardware for safety. $20 at EarthDoggy.com.

Bird Photo BoothBird Feeder Cam

If your family loves birds and wants to get up close and personal, give them the gift of nature with the Bird Photo Booth, birdfeeder with motion-detecting camera with Wi-Fi that allows for real-time streaming. Built-in motion detection technology automatically records professional 4K 30 Ultra HD Video as well as 16mp still photos. Built in Wi-Fi using the free “Bird Photo Booth app for iOS and Android. Weatherproof and durable. Includes macro and UV glass lenses, bluetooth remote, stainless bird feeding bowl, stainless hanger rod. Mounts on windows, walls, trees and tripods. $249.95. Visit BirdPhotoBooth.com and enter promo code “blackswan” at checkout and take $70 off your entire Bird Photo Booth combo order for a limited time.

Cat Grass

Cats line up for homegrown cat grass grown from Botanical Interest seeds. Photo by Julie Thibodeaux.

Organic Cat Grass

Organic cat grassGrow your own organic cat greens! Cat’s love this tasty grass mix from Botanical Interests, which includes a blend of organic barley, oats and wheat, rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Cat grass aids digestion by moving hairballs along (or out). Grown indoors, cat grass can be served year-round. Grass is ready to eat in as little as two weeks. Can be purchased at local garden centers that carry Botanical Interests seeds or purchased online. $1.99/small pack. $3.99/large pack.

 

MORE 2018 GREEN GIFT GUIDES:

Eco-friendly gifts for women

Eco-friendly gifts for guys

Eco-friendly gifts for kids


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