Pet-friendly materials
Soft and welcoming, or solid enough to withstand some claws or teeth? When it comes to materials in pet products, the right choice can be difficult.
Pet-, parent- or eco-friendly?
Choosing the right materials for pet products can be challenging. Firstly, there is the pet dog who is likely to prefer soft and comfortable material for its bedding. Secondly, there is the pet parent who might be worried about the destructive power of claws or teeth in anything soft. And thirdly, there is the increasingly important environmental perspective.
It all starts with the design
At the very basis of any choice for a certain material, lies the design of a product. Product design should address the needs and wants of pets, their owners and our environment. Importantly, the choice of material is also important from an animal well-being point of view. Pets can suffer from allergic reactions to materials used for bedding, toys or halters.
Right materials and smell
Besides the feel of a material, pets are particularly sensitive to smell. They might not take to certain products with, for them, an unpleasant smell. As a result, a super-soft cover just purchased for the cat can be totally rejected by the receiving party. Similarly, cleaning or washing pet toys or bedding with strongly smelling detergents or spraying them with fragrances could mean your pet loses interest in them.
Water-repellent materials are the ideal solution for kennels, cushions or bedding on the floor. Essential is the choice of quality products that offer the option to remove and wash the outside easily. Non-removable covers are usually only made to save on production costs.
As for the currently trendy ‘furry’ materials: these are prone to harbour mites and dirt. Often, also, they are not washable. Similarly, cat tree bases, covered with fabric that cannot be removed, quickly become dirty and damaged. Leaving the pet owner no other choice than to throw it away. A not particularly eco-friendly and expensive solution.
Recycled and natural materials
Materials such as real fur are now rightly banned from the pet world. The trend is to use synthetic and recycled materials instead. Another option is all-natural materials. For instance, a rattan ball, rather than one made from non-recycled plastic.
Last-but-not-least, choosing for natural materials like, for instance, untreated wood furniture for the cat, enables the pet to thrive in a natural habitat. His primordial instincts benefit, as does the pet parent: with a happy pet.