Did you know that all of Healthy Pet’s products are 100% biodegradable and compostable? Not only are we committed to making sustainable products at Healthy Pet, but we also strive to produce minimal waste.  If you are a cat parent and use okocat natural litter, if you have a hamster and use carefresh small animal bedding, or own a dog that uses Puppy Go Potty paper litter, then you can sleep better at night knowing that you are creating a smaller carbon footprint for your furry friend. In the past when changing the litter box or cleaning out a small pet’s home, it has been common to simply toss the old litter or bedding into the trash. However, composting has recently become a great way to reduce household waste. How do I start a home compost? If you are interested in starting a home compost, it’s important to practice good composting standards for optimal aerobic decomposition. This means stirring, turning, watering, checking the temperature, and covering your compost every few days. Make sure there isn’t too much of one type of organic material in your compost pile. It does take some effort but it’s well worth it in the end. After a few months your compost will be ready to be used in your garden, and you can make it available to others needing compost. It will be fun to share how your pets helped contribute. If you have any questions or concerns regarding composting at home, we recommend checking your local ag regulations, reading more through the tips at EPA.gov and checking your state regulations. Can I compost poo?  It depends on what type of pet. You can compost the feces of any herbivore; bunnies, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, and other small pets’ poo can all be composted along with the used wood or paper bedding like carefresh. Here are 3 basic steps on how to compost your herbivore’s poo: Place the droppings and used bedding on your compost heap, add straw and mix it in. Allow this to sit with other compostable items, turning the compost every so often as needed this allows for proper aerobic decomposition. Then place the “finished” compost on gardens once the compost has been sitting for at least six months. If you own an omnivore or carnivore (such as a cat or dog), we recommend removing the solid waste from the used litter and properly disposing with the use of a biodegradable bag. The feces of any omnivorous or carnivorous animals may contain harmful bacteria and should NOT come in contact with anything edible. After removing any solid waste, you can safely compost the rest of the litter and use it for ornamentals, flowers, shrubs or lawn after at least six months to a year. When composting litter you will want to make sure that is made from 100% plant-based material, such as okocat. You do NOT want to compost clay, sand-based or crystal litter, as they can actually damage your soil, especially a litter with synthetic toxins. Additionally, do not compost the waste of any animals who are ill, contagious, or taking medication, as these unwanted elements may wind up in your soil. A word of caution: pregnant women should avoid handling cat waste under any circumstances as it sometimes carries a virus that may lead to birth defects in a fetus. What if I don’t want to start a home compost, but don’t want to throw my excess litter or bedding into the garbage? If you are not interested in creating your own home compost bin or don’t have the available space, you may be able to use a yard waste bin or simply bring your compostable materials to local farms or a nearby community garden. Be sure to ask first if they will accept compostable materials with pet waste and what the requirements are. Some will take it if it is in a Biodegradable Products Institute certified compostable bag. BPI is a third-party organization that certified that every product being used will break down in its commercial composting facility. Most waste management companies have a commercial composting facility, especially if you live in a larger town or city. If you are struggling to locate one, we simply recommend googling “composting facilities near me”, give them a call and ask: If they provide a waste-management bin and the times they pick up compost If they do not pick up, when and how your compostable materials can be dropped off Any regulations of what should/should not be included in your compost materials The cost associated with working the yard-waste management Any additional benefits they provide (such as finished compost at a reduced price). So what are you waiting for? Start composting your used Healthy Pet products today!  

June 22nd is National Bring your Cat to Work Day, but with most of the nation working from home due to COVID-19 restrictions, we know that for many of you, every day has become  bring your cat to work day. We wanted to learn more about what you are doing to co-exist with your new feline coworkers, so we asked and you answered through comments on ökocat’s Facebook and Instagram pages. Here are the three main things we learned from you: 1. You are happy to let your cat crash your party. While working from home is not ideal, there are a few major perks, including hitting snooze a few extra times, skipping your morning commute, and especially enjoying time with your four-legged friends. Our new furry coworkers do require a little more attention than your typical office-mates though. It can be a bit distracting when your kitties are constantly finding new places to sleep, trying to distract you, and staring you down as you work. However, because you love them, you let them crash the party anyways.   In fact, Facebook user Lorri tells us, “Sometimes I work on the couch […] Bella wants to make sure I don't forget to pay attention to her. She will just lay on my papers, and how can I disturb her?” (via Facebook) Jennifer spoils her sweet cat Lily, “Lily loves my keyboard and my memory foam mouse pad. I had to get a new mouse pad and give her the memory foam one. ” (via Facebook) Michelle makes new exceptions for her cat Kara, “Since working from home, Kara has been quite needy and constantly wants attention, I decided to work outdoors to get some fresh air and even though she’s strictly an indoor cat, I let her hang out with me to get some sun!” (via Facebook) Kristin reminisced about working from home with her late cat named Josie, “My two current cats prefer to stay in my bed all day. But my sweet Josie girl always sat on my fabric when I had orders from customers. Whenever I was working she had to be in the middle of it.” (via Facebook) 2. You keep the treats and toys handy. As you and your kitty settle into a routine of what it looks like to work from home, it’s important to establish healthy boundaries to make sure your cat gets the attention they need, while still staying productive yourself. Convincing your cat that they don’t always need constant attention when they are convinced they deserve it can be tricky. However, a great way to help both of you stay sane is by providing lots of treats, toys and other distractions to keep your four-legged friend entertained while allowing you to stay focused. Instagram user Jelli tells us that her cat loves to join in on Zoom calls and check out the computer, so she just “sets up his own monitor so he can watch YouTube, along with a bed so he can sleep near me while I work.” (via Instagram) Elizabeth’s cats, Sobics and Littleman, each have different requirements, but she is more than happy to make sure they both get exactly what they need so she can get her work done. “Sobics requires one cat treat to get off my mouse. I now keep treats in my desk drawer. And for Littleman, I keep toys around so when he gets in the window and squawks loudly at the birds on the power lines, I can easily get his attention and get him OUT OF MY OFFICE.” (via Facebook) Jennifer advised that in addition to having appropriate cat distractions available, it’s important to “keep desk drawers closed lest your feline office mate steal all the pens, paper clips, etc.” (via Instagram) 3. You set up a separate place from them to sleep. Maybe your cat isn’t attention hungry, but prefers a nice long snooze on your keyboard, your mouse, your chair or any other inconvenient location. Simply set up a cat-friendly place for your sweet kitty to be nearby, but not in the way of your workplace. Dianne told us, “My coworkers (cats) love my keyboard, so instead of having them occupying it, I put a box near my set up to distract them.” (via Facebook) Elizabeth made the decision to, “put a hammock in the office to entice Sir Poogie Woogie of the Pudding Bears to stop walking & sitting on the keyboard.” (via Facebook) Working from home means needing to keep the litter box clean. Working from home also means it’s even more of a necessity to keep the litter box clean and free of odors. No one wants to deal with litter box smells in their home while working. The best way to assure no ammonia odor and easy, fast cleanup is by using ökocat® natural wood litter. Because ökocat is a healthier, cleaner litter with no artificial fragrances or synthetic chemicals, you and your cat don’t have to breathe in dirty, heavily scented clay litter or obnoxious odors. ökocat is 99% dust free making it the better choice for you and your cat as you spend more time at home together. Make the switch to a healthier clean™ and choose ökocat. - - - - - - From spoiling your kitty with treats to providing the perfect spot for them to sleep, we know how much you love your fur baby, so we hope you enjoy a little extra time spent with them on National Bring Your Cat to Work Day!  

We recently ran a giveaway in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. We wanted to help by sending 20 people in need of okocat litter a coupon for a free box of ökocat. However, due to the high amount of responses, we were able to send out 100 coupons for a free box of ökocat across the US and Canada! Here are just a few of the many cat parents that received a free box of litter, our hearts were warmed by their stories and what they are doing to care for and love on their kitties.  “I have 2 babies. One is 4 and he’s blind since birth and one is 8 months and super active. They’re amazing together and are so happy since I have been laid off and the kids home from school. We get to spend so much more time with them! They are my everything and as important my own children. It’s been harder to afford things since losing my job, a free box for my babies would be amazing!” — Stacy, New York “I have worked with rescue for 16+ years. Recently had some health issues and had to stop volunteering at the shelter. I recently lost my 16-year-old beloved kitty from cancer. Just 7 months prior I lost my 12-year-old kitty also from cancer. Both were rescue cats. I have just adopted two young kitties who were born into a feral family. They are doing pretty good still have their jumpy isues. They are sweet and getting better every day. I have attached a picture of my orange girl Charlie and my multi-color long hair kitty Dorie.” — Sandy, Michigan “This is Grace. She was born to a feral Momma cat in my uncle’s backyard. She was one of three in the litter. She saved me. I had recently lost my fur baby who was over 16 years old. (Sadie) She was a special needs kitty and I was heart-broken without her. When I found Grace she was so small she could fit in the palm of my hand. Now she’s 4 years old and loves her life. I’ve used ökocat litter for many years and wouldn’t settle for anything less for my fur babies.” — Lisa, New Jersey “We run a kitty rescue shelter. We have taken in abused, orphaned, abandoned and feral kitties, along with some kitties from a high-kill shelter that were deemed by them as "unadoptable". We give them safety, love, full bellies and warm snuggles. We currently have 19 in our care, and all are loved and snuggled all day. Our business is based at home, but since it is art, our sales are slow and our gallery is closed. Keeping our supply of litter is very important.” — Joy, Washington “During this time of stay at home orders, in addition to my own three cats, I have taken to fostering a lovely momma cat and her four babies, and tomorrow two additional, bottle fed, kittens will be delivered to me for care and fostering.” — Dorothy, Virginia We are dedicated to helping cats in need, that's why we launched out okocause4paws program in 2018 which has donated over 10,000 pounds of ökocat natural litter to chosen shelters in eco-friendly cities across the United States, as voted on by our ökofans.Learn more about okocause4paws today!

As a cat parent, not only do you want the best for your cat, but you also want to use a litter that works well, and if we are being honest, one that doesn’t make your house smell like a cat lives there. The most commonly used type of litter is clay litter, but did you know that there are more than five billion pounds of strip-mined clay annually? …..That most clay litter eventually ends up in landfills and never breaks down? …..That most clay litter contains HARMFUL chemicals, SYNTHETIC fragrances and lots of dirty clay dust? These start in the litter box and in the air, but then can also end up stuck on your cat’s paws and even ingested or tracked around your house. Make the change to a cleaner, healthier litter. Using a natural litter like ökocat® empowers you to make a cleaner, healthier choice for your cat, your family and your home. Plus, it’s better for our planet too since ökocat® is a premium natural litter made entirely from sustainably sourced, natural plant fiber, making it an eco-friendly choice.  It offers the brilliance of European engineering for a better litter with next generation performance that leaves old school clay and chemicals in the dust.   Three benefits of using ökocat natural litter:  ökocat stops odor before it starts without added fragrance  Wood fiber naturally stops the creation of ammonia odors with NO artificial fragrances, NO synthetic chemicals, NO toxic dyes, and NO GMOs.   ökocat clumps solid and it’s biodegradable & flushable*  Natural fiber quickly absorbs liquid on contact to form solid clumps for easy scooping and cleaning. Because it’s made from sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued natural plant fiber, it can be safely returned to the earth. Just scoop and flush one clump at a time, compost it, or dispose in a biodegradable bag. ökocat is 99% dust-free. No dirty clay dust! Clean natural fiber is screened and de-dusted for a cleaner pour. No more dirty, harmful clay dust in the air or on the floor, furniture or on your cat’s paws.   ökocat litter is available in a perfect variety for any cat or home.   ökocat original litter is relentless at controlling odor, while offering a pleasant, playful texture that's easy on paws, and provides a fresh natural scent reminiscent of the great outdoors. This is our most popular and widely-used variety of litter. ökocat super soft litter is perfect for cats with sensitive paws or even kittens. Its super soft texture is similar to clay, so transitioning your cat to a cleaner and healthier natural choice is a snap. ökocat less mess is made from soft, mini-pellets that are easy on paws, and less likely to stick to your cats' fur, or track through the house like finer litters. ökocat also offers a non-clumping dust-free paper litter created for cats with respiratory ailments, or people with allergies. This litter is made from clean, white paper pulp, not recycled newsprint, so it contains NO inks, dyes or added scents.  Make the switch to a superior, natural litter that is cleaner and healthier for your cat, your family, and your home and better for our planet too!    

It’s that time of year where flowers bloom, birds start chirping and we start looking forward to spending more time outdoors. Unfortunately, the country is currently facing a time of isolation due to COVID-19, which is causing us to spend even more time at home. We may not be happy about it, but think about all of the happy cats!Now that you find yourself with more time at home and less to do, are you thinking about doing some deep spring cleaning to pass the time? You may be catching up on laundry and cleaning out closets, but don’t forget your cat! Now is a great time to find all of those missing cat toys, improve your cat’s litter box area or clean up that lingering cat hair — don’t worry, we all have it!   Toys — where did they all go?!: We all love spoiling our kitties with toys they can catch and chase, but as you probably know, those toys can easily go missing. Make your cat’s day and consider taking the time to find all of the hair ties, springs and catnip filled toys that have fallen victim and gone missing under the couch, refrigerator or stove. If you need help reaching those toys in hard to reach places, a broom can help extend your reach! After you’ve completed your search, place all of the toys in one area and make it a mission to collect all of the newly missing ones each week. Your cat will be happy because he’ll always have something to play with, and you’ll be happy because you won’t have to keep buying more toys when the others go missing. If you want to take it one step further, thoroughly inspect each toy as you find them. Is it broken or dirty? If so, then take the time to fix, clean or toss them in the trash, if necessary. When cleaning cat toys, we recommend using a vinegar and water solution. If a particular toy is still in good condition but your cat doesn’t use it, consider donating to your local shelter. Litter — is it time for a switch? Giving your cat’s litter box area a deep cleaning isn’t always fun, but you’ll feel so much better once it’s done. Start by removing all litter boxes from the area and grab your trusty hand vacuum (or an old fashion broom and dust pan works too!) and sweep up any remaining litter pieces. If your litter boxes are on tile, vinyl or hardwoods go the extra step and wipe down the area with a floor-safe disinfectant spray or wipe.While your litter boxes are out of the area, now is a great time to completely empty all remaining litter and fill the empty boxes with ökocat. ökocat is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a cleaner, healthier cat litter for your home. One of the best parts? It can last up to 7 weeks with regular scooping, so you won’t have to deep clean as often. In addition to being a cleaner, healthier cat litter option, also includes key benefits found most important to cat owners when choosing a litter: Stops odor before it starts: Wood fiber naturally prevents enzymes from bonding with liquid and waste to stop the creation of ammonia. Clumps solid for easy cleaning: Precision-cut fiber absorbs liquid on contact to form solid clumps for easy scooping and cleaning. 99% dust free for a healthy home: Clean wood fiber is screened & de-dusted for a cleaner pour. No dirty clay dust. NO artificial fragrance, NO synthetic chemicals, NO toxic dyes, NO GMO’s 100% sustainably sourced, responsibly rescued Biodegradable & Flushable for fast, easy clean-up or can even be composted Naturally lightweight for easy carrying and pouring Doesn’t attract bugs like some food based litters Cat Hair — we all have it!: You know what warmer weather brings? More shedding… 🙀 All of us cat owners struggle with keeping up with the cat hair that floats around our houses. You’re not alone! Take this time to catch up on cat hair removal. This could mean giving your couch a thorough vacuuming, replacing the air filter in your furnace or finally taking the time to move that piece of furniture that’s typically hard to sweep underneath and/or behind. To stay ahead of the cat hair, you can also help your cat by brushing them often with a deshedding tool, which means less hair floating around your house. You’ll be surprised by how much hair it gets, and your cat might enjoy it, too! Another thing you can do to help your cat continue to live its best life as the weather warms up is to start treating for fleas and ticks early, especially if they go outdoors. Set up a time to meet with your vet to make sure you have everything needed to keep your cat and home pest free. As we try to enjoy spring and make the most of our increased time at home, we encourage you to take the time to make cleaner, healthier choices for your cat, your family and your home. Let us know other unique ways you’re making your cat’s life easier and cleaner if there’s something we didn’t cover!