SharedVISION's editors are always on the hunt for the lastest avant-garde and Earth-Conscious products. On our radar this month: Feel-good gifts for your furry friends.

Dog-Eared

Let’s face it: when Fido has the whimpers or a fit of barking, it’s a dog’s life for everyone. Thankfully, psychoacoustic expert Joshua Leeds and vet neurologist Dr. Susan Wagner have created Through a Dog’s Ear, a book that’ll provide you with insight on how your four-legged friend’s nervous system responds to sound. Offering tips on improving Fido’s health and behaviour, this book includes a 45-minute starter CD of classical music (performed by pianist Lisa Spector), clinically demonstrated to put your companion at ease.

Available from throughadogsear.com.

—Erica Gehrke

Chew on This

If your doggie loves squeaky toys, he’ll howl over the Earth-friendly West Paw Design’s Eco Bone. From the mouths of soft drink lovers to the mouth of your pooch, West Paw’s eco-toys are made of 85 per cent IntelliLoft fibres, created from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles and soda cans. Meanwhile, kitty will pounce on Fish for Cat, a plush toy featuring sewn-in jingling bells and stuffed with 100 per cent certified organic catnip. With West Paw’s planet-pleasing playthings, every dog (and cat) can have his day. Available at Barking Babies (1188 Homer St.).

Info: westpawdesign.com

—EG

Cat Power

You do your best to keep your ecological footprint as petite as possible, and you’ve got the bamboo floors and energy-saving light bulbs to prove it. But what about your kitty’s ecological paw print? If the cathouse is looking less than sustainable (or perhaps your bed is looking a little too furry), think about upgrading to a Kitty Kozy by B.C.-based company Plume ’n Tails. This cat bed-slash-playspace is made from reclaimed and recycled wood, and is shipped to you in a recycled box. The Kozy is ideal for cats who like a little privacy, and the high back provides a perfect watchtower when Mr. Snizzles is on neighbourhood watch.

Info: plumentails.com

—Jennifer Croll

Cooler Collars

Dog collars can be downright dull. Lucky for discerning canines, 4 on the Floor Dogwear has a huge collection of high-quality, high-fashion Martingale and buckle collars that are the polar opposite of boring. With names like Rock Star, Army Brat, and Boogie Nights, each one is unique—made to reflect the character of the pets who wear them. They’re all handcrafted in B.C. and can be custom-made. But the best part? The company donates merch and moolah to animal welfare organizations Whippet Rescue Canada, BC SPCA, and Greyhound Rescue & Rehab.

Info: 4onthefloordogwear.com

—Lindsey Lewis

Doggie Do!

There are few things in life less appealing than a bag of dog poo. And the fact that, once you toss it, the plastic won’t break down for hundreds of years, doesn’t make it any nicer. Fortunately, the folks at Petrenz Pet Products have made the disposing of pet waste a lot more agreeable (for the environment, anyway) with their fully biodegradable pet waste disposal bags. Opaque white, thick, and hygienic, the bags mean Patches’s morning movements can finally biodegrade unhindered. Ask for them by name at your favourite Lower Mainland pet supply store.

Info: petrenz.com

—Stephanie MacDonald

Veggie Dogs

You’re a health-loving vegetarian with a commitment to eating organic. And your best friend, Rover? Well, don’t make the poor boy jealous; he might eat your shoes, but that doesn’t mean he can survive on New Balance alone. Consider feeding him Holistic Blend’s organic Fruits & Veggies dishes (available for Sylvester, too). Great as mains or sides, these tasty meals for pets are 100 per cent organic, totally meat-free, and contain wholesome goodies like blueberries, brown rice, alfalfa, and rosemary. Available at Bosley’s Pet Food, bosleys.com

Info: holisticblend.com

—JC

Canine Cosmetics

You and your poodle may sport matching coiffures, but chances are you pamper yours with all-natural shampoos and conditioners while Fifi is stuck with less progressive options. Enter Woof Cosmetics’ line of natural bath products for discerning pets. The Quebec company’s hypoallergenic shampoos are made with a 100 per cent vegetable base, contain natural moisturizers like shea butter, aloe vera, and oat extract, and are scented with pure essential oils. With such luscious names as Rosemary Lavender and Coconut Lime, you might just find yourself ditching your people products and going to the dogs’ instead.

See woofcosmetics.com for where to buy.

—Tamara Letkeman

Best Friend, Best Food

Want to amp up your best bud’s grub? Grab some of Life Line’s organic Ocean Kelp. Just a sprinkle—usually less than a teaspoon—will do. The slippery seaweed comes from the frigid waters off northwestern Iceland, and is sustainably harvested, dried, milled, and bagged according to organic standards there and in the U.S. Ocean Kelp contains the Laminaria digitata plant; that’s science-speak for a type of kelp jam-packed with essential elements for growth, health, and reproduction. Spot may not express his gratitude, but the lower vet bills will be thanks enough.

Available at Vancouver Pet Centre (1065 Hamilton St.), 604-687-8933.

—LL

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