Why Organic Pet Beds Are Better for Pets and Planet

 You’ve heard that a dog is man’s best friend, and it’s true. You are the center of your pet’s world. They unconditionally rely on us for love, for care, for companionship, for a home. Yet, somehow, we are the ones who feel lucky to know them at the end of the day. Truly, is there any greater feeling than to see yourself reflected in your pet’s innocent, loving eyes?

At Naturepedic, we talk a lot about the importance of Safe Healthy Sleep™ for babies, for kiddos, for you. But, what about your fur babies? Should your pets be sleeping organic, too?

The answer is a resounding Y-E-S. Your pets deserve organic sleep, too – and we can help. Here’s how.

Organic pet beds are made with organic materials instead of polyurethane foam, toxic waterproofing and questionable chemicals. That means any materials used are grown (or made from materials that are grown) without the use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, genetically modified organisms and more – and toxic chemicals aren’t added in the manufacturing process, either. 

At Naturepedic, we believe that a product isn’t organic unless it’s certified organic. When shopping for pet beds, the certification you’ll want to look out for is the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). Beyond ensuring the organic integrity of your furry friend’s sleep space, GOTS ensures sustainable farming practices and fair labor conditions, too, for an all-around safer, healthier, better product for people and planet … and pets, too!

Conventional pet beds can be toxic for both you and your fur baby. There are manufacturing standards for human mattresses and bedding in place to keep you safe from harmful materials – but for your pets, not so much! So when you buy a non-organic product, you never really know what you’re getting … and what you’re getting just might be toxic chemicals that off-gas into your home. 

Pet bed fillings can include some not-so-cute-and-cuddly ingredients such as lead, arsenic, bromine, formaldehyde, phthalates and more. Definitely not the kind of ingredients you want to curl up and take a nap on! Not to mention that an overzealous puppy or curious kitten might rip or chew open their bed – especially if it is poorly constructed – and ingest those harmful materials. 

Organic products are by nature better for the environment, and this includes organic pet beds! Organic farming practices involve less pollution, soil erosion and energy. The lack of pesticides leads to better soil quality and prevents chemical runoff into local water sources. Plus, farming without GMOs means more variety among plants and more biodiversity. 

And, when it’s time to retire your organic pet bed, if it does end up in a landfill, you can at least feel better knowing that it isn’t leaching toxic chemicals into the soil for more than a century!

At Naturepedic, our motto is “Safe Healthy Sleep™ for the whole family.” That includes your pets, too! Featuring supportive, GOTS approved shredded latex encased in 100% organic herringbone cotton, our new Organic Pet Bed is the perfect spot for your furry friend to curl up and nap. (Your scaly, spiky, smooth or fluffy friends, too – we love them all!)

Our Organic Pet Bed comes with a removable, waterproof cover made with a durable, organic cotton canvas and non-toxic waterproofing. It prevents any muddy pawprints – cute as they may be! – and stands up to wear and tear. Oh, and it’s machine washable, too! On top of its practical benefits, this pet bed is:

• GOTS certified organic
• MADE SAFE® certified non-toxic
• GREENGUARD® Gold certified (low chemical emissions)
• UL Formaldehyde Free validated
• PETA-Approved Vegan 

So, basically, it’s safer for your pet, easier on the environment and made without animal-based or animal-tested materials. We offer this cozy pet bed in sizes XS-XXL to accommodate pets of all sizes, too – because you’re never too big or small for organic sleep!

Toxic chemicals aren’t just a risk to pets when they’re in their beds — here are three more ways you can protect your pet from toxins at home.

Taking an improper dosage of any medication can be a dangerous situation. This is even more true when it comes to your pets. Ingesting even small amounts of seemingly innocuous over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen and some NSAIDs can be lethal to your pets, and some common prescription drugs such as antidepressants, blood pressure medications, sleep aids and more are severely toxic to pets. 

Check out the Pet Poison Helpline’s list of medications that are poisonous to pets for more information, and if you have any questions your vet is a great resource. At the end of the day, practicing proper medication storage is always a good idea – whether you’ve got kids, pets or just you to look out for!

You know not to ingest household cleaning products. And when your kids are old enough, it’s easy to explain why they shouldn’t, either. But you can’t exactly use logical reasoning with your pets, so it’s best to keep your solvents, solutions and scrubs out of their reach.

When cleaning your pet-friendly home, follow these tips to keep them safe:

• Keep your pet out of the room while cleaning
• Store cleaners out of reach
• Rinse sponges, rags and mops after use
• Open windows for fresh air when using scented products

Bonus tip: Cleaning products and the packaging they come in are often terrible for the Earth, too! Get tips on how to clean more responsibly here.

If you know anything about organic living, you know the risks that toxic chemicals pose. They can wreak havoc on your health – and that of the environment, too. But what many people don’t realize is the extent to which toxins exist in our homes. Organic living is about so much more than what you buy at the grocery store.

Non-organic produce may be treated with harsh pesticides that pollute the Earth and pose potential health risks such as cancer, reproductive troubles, immune and nervous systems damage, and more. Textiles such as cotton and wool that are used in clothing and home furnishings may contain flame retardant chemicals that are guilty of those same risks. Even our homes themselves – paint, carpeting, flooring – can contain toxic VOCs that off gas into the air we breathe. 

The bottom line? If it’s a risk to you, it’s a risk to your pets. Organic living doesn’t just protect you from toxic chemicals; it protects your children, your home, your planet and your pets, too.  

Ready to join the organic mattress movement with us? The Naturepedic blog is a great reference for sleep tips, sustainability news, organic living ideas and more.