If you already purchase organic fruits and vegetables, avoid packaging, and recycle, then you are well on your way to living a green life. Chances are, the more you do, the more you realize that there are many things we can do as individuals to reduce our impact on the Earth. For example, have you considered the food you feed your pets?

Our dogs and cats are an important part of our lives. According to the Humane Society of the United States, 38.4 million (nearly 34 percent) American households own one or more cats, and about 43 million Americans own dogs. The care and feeding of pets varies from owners who dress their animals in frilly tutus to owners who do little more than grab a bag of food from the supermarket.

According to some estimates, Americans spend more than $40 billion on food for their pets in the United States. The variety of cat and dog food available ranges from inexpensive to ridiculous, but what is the real difference, and what do you need to know about your animal's care and the Planet?

First, before you make any changes to your pet's nutrition, check with your vet or an animal nutritionist to determine whether it has any special dietary needs. Your vet will be able to tell you if you need to avoid certain ingredients or ensure that your pet gets particular nutrients through its food.

Second, make sure that if you do decide to change your pet's diet, do so gradually. Most pets take a little bit of time to adjust to new flavors and mixes. Most veterinarians recommend mixing new food in with familiar food for one to two weeks, gradually increasing the proportion of new food vs. familiar food throughout that time period until you are up to 100% of the new food. If you follow this approach, your animal will be more likely to adapt to the new food.

According to the National Geographic Society, organic pet food is a better choice from an environmental standpoint than conventional pet food. This is based on similar reasons behind choosing organic foods for your human family.

Foods certified USDA Organic are produced without the use of petroleum-based pesticides and fertilizers. Additionally, they are based on meat not treated with antibiotics and growth hormones, both of which have been shown to pollute water sources like lakes, rivers and the ocean. Genetically modified organisms, which reduce biodiversity, are not used in Organic foods. Finally, Organic foods do not undergo irradiation to kill bacteria.

In addition to the basic need of food for your pet, other products that you may consider when going green include supplements, coat & fur products, flea & tick control, shampoos & conditioners, and treats.

Here are some key labels to look for when you are seeking green alternatives for your pets:

- USDA Certified Organic: this is the only official certification for organic products, assuring that the food has undergone a third-party certification process. Compared to products market "natural" or "holistic," this process validates that at least 95% of the ingredients are organic.

- Free-Range Meat: look for foods made from animals that are raised out-of-doors, without cages, and are fed grass and other natural diets.

- Cruelty-Free: look for items that feature no animal testing and can prove the animals raised for meat are treated in a humane manner.

- AAFCO Certification: this certification, provided by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) ensures the food is formulated to meet balanced nutritional levels and contain the micro- and macro-nutrients needed to keep your pets healthy.

There are many healthy, green options available on the market for dogs and cats, but as with any green product, it is important that you check the label and investigate the company to ensure that you fully understand the claims and certifications.

Copyright (c) 2008 Virginia Ginsburg