We spend so much energy thinking about what goes into our own bodies and our kids', and then let the dog walk barefoot through a chemically-treated lawn and eat food that's basically fast food in kibble form. Pets can't choose what they're exposed to, so that job falls to us. This week I'm covering the four things I actually check for with our own pets: what's on the grass, what's in the shampoo, what's in the bowl, and what's in the bag of food.
QUIZ OF THE WEEK
Let's test your pet IQ this week:
According to a peer-reviewed study, how much can a dog's risk of malignant lymphoma increase with repeated exposure to lawn herbicides like 2,4-D?
A️. No real increase
B️. About 20%
C️. Up to 70%
D️. It only affects cats
🤔 Think you know the answer?
👇 Scroll to the bottom of this week's newsletter to see if you got it right!
Did you catch my recent reel on how rosemary can boost your brain?
| Studies show that simply smelling rosemary increases the concentration of a compound called 1,8-cineole in your bloodstream, and the higher that concentration, the faster and more accurately people complete cognitive tasks. Research shows it can also improve prospective memory, meaning fewer things slip your mind and you stay more alert throughout the day. Rosemary aromatherapy has even shown benefits for cognitive function in dementia patients. |
Non-Toxic Tip of the Week
The Non-Toxic Pet Basics
Dogs and cats are lower to the ground than we are, and they explore the world with their nose and their mouth, which means they pick up a lot more than we realize from the grass, the floor, and the bowl. Here's what I actually pay attention to:
☐ Skip the treated lawns: A peer-reviewed study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found dogs whose owners applied the herbicide 2,4-D to their lawn four or more times a year were twice as likely to develop canine malignant lymphoma, and a later 2012 study put the increased risk at up to 70 percent. Dogs walk across treated grass, then lick their paws and coat, so a treated lawn becomes a direct exposure. If you can't control the lawn (a park, a neighbor's yard), wipe your dog's paws when you get home.
☐ Stainless steel food and water bowls: Plastic bowls can leach chemicals over time and scratch easily, which gives bacteria somewhere to hide. Stainless steel doesn't leach, doesn't hold odor, and is dishwasher safe. It's one of the easiest swaps on this list and costs almost nothing.
☐ Non-toxic shampoo and conditioner: Most conventional pet shampoos are full of synthetic fragrance, sulfates, and preservatives that get absorbed straight through the skin, especially with how often dogs get shampooed compared to us. Look for one with a short, recognizable ingredient list and no artificial fragrance.
☐ Vital Essentials freeze-dried treats: Their snacks are single-ingredient, raw, and freeze-dried rather than cooked at high heat, so the nutrients stay intact and there's nothing else added. It's what's in our treat jar instead of the dyed, extruded stuff at the grocery store.
☐ Probonix pet probiotic: A liquid probiotic you add straight to food or water, no pills or powders to fight your pet on. Gut health affects a dog's immune system and skin just like it does ours, and this is an easy way to support it daily.
☐ East Perry pet bed: Their beds are made from ethically sourced, natural sheepskin, tanned without the harsh metals and chemicals most tanning processes use. Sheepskin naturally resists dust mites and bacteria the way synthetic fillings don't, and the lanolin in it is genuinely calming for pets, our dog visibly relaxes on his.
☐ Skip the fillers, go air-dried or raw: Most conventional kibble is loaded with corn, soy, and rendered byproducts to bulk it up cheaply, then sprayed with fat and flavoring to get your pet to actually eat it. Air-dried and organic raw diets use real meat and whole ingredients without the heavy processing, so you're feeding actual food instead of a shelf-stable filler product.
I go deeper on all of this in my latest blog post:
🔗 NON-TOXIC DAD MYSTERY LINK OF THE DAY 🔗
| Always something useful! Could be a handy non-toxic reference guide, a favorite product we are loving lately, a huge discount, a helpful health tool, or a link packed with resources you probably have not seen before. You never know what might show up.
Click to find out.
|
Recipe of the Week
Homemade Chicken Feet Bone Broth for Dogs
Store-bought pet bone broths are often loaded with sodium, onion or garlic powder, and preservatives that dogs simply don't need and shouldn't have. This one is just chicken feet, water, and time. Chicken feet are packed with natural collagen and cartilage, which means the broth gels up beautifully once it cools, a good sign you're getting real joint-supporting gelatin, not just flavored water.
It's an easy way to add extra hydration, gut support, and joint nutrients to your dog's regular food, just ladle a little over their kibble or raw meal. Freeze it in ice cube trays for single-serving portions that thaw fast.
Our pets don't get a say in what touches their paws, what's in their bowl, or what's in the bag of food we grab off the shelf, so a few thoughtful swaps go a long way. You don't need to change everything at once, start with the bowls and the lawn, and build from there. Thanks for being part of the Non-Toxic Dad community. See you next week!
A 2012 study published in Environmental Research found that dogs exposed to lawns treated with 2,4-D had up to a 70 percent higher risk of developing canine malignant lymphoma. An earlier 1991 study in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute found the risk doubled with four or more yearly applications. Dogs pick the chemical up on their paws and coat from walking or rolling on treated grass, then ingest it when they lick themselves clean.
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