The way people choose to live is often the same lifestyle they choose for their pets. Many pet owners have decided to live “green” existences and would like the same lifestyle for their pets. Retailing cat supplies in a green world does not have to be complicated. There are several product categories that lend themselves well to green marketing in the cat department:


Litter & Pan Liners
Clumping clay litters are often strip-mined and can be toxic to cats if ingested. They may also contain silica dust, which is directly related to lung disease. To please green customers, offer an eco-friendly, fragrance free litter. Check with distributors to find out which litters are safe, biodegradable and eco-friendly. Also consider stocking pan liners made from biodegradable plastic. 


Organic Food
Much has been written about the health benefits of organic foods, both for people and pets. If the store doesn’t already have organic cat foods in the food aisle, start by adding several quality brands to the line up. Most will contain natural meats, vegetables, fruit and grains, along with antioxidants, ensuring optimum health.   


Natural Additives
Natural additives help eliminate hairballs, promote healthy skin and coat, aid in digestive disorders, and contain powerful antiviral, antifungal and antibacterial agents that help prevent infection and disease. Arthritis relief, allergy relief, body and breath odor control, and an increase in antioxidants are a few more reasons to use them.


Scratchers & Furniture
There are many scratchers and furniture on the market that are produced from natural untreated woods, natural sisal rope and recycled materials. Most are nearly 100-percent biodegradable.


Eco-friendly Toys
Many cat toys are manufactured with hemp or re-engineered fiber created from post-consumer recycled plastic bottles.


Organic Catnip
What good would a cat toy be without high-quality organic catnip? Every pet product retailer knows the selling power of catnip. But not every brand is as good as the next. For the green community, be sure the catnip is 100-percent organic catnip.


Organic Sleepers
Comfy items like pet beds, mats and pillows are being manufactured with hemp, organic wool and organic cotton. The perfect sleeper is non-allergenic for sensitive cats and ideal for convalescing and elderly cats.


Natural Odor Remover
Many eco-friendly odor removers use corn-based ethanol and natural bio cultures to get rid of the toughest of odors–namely, cat urine. The enzyme-based solution works by digesting the protein found in cat urine. 


Natural Pest Control
For flea and tick control, stock herbal flea and tick collars, brewers yeast with garlic, and natural powders, sprays and shampoos. Neem oil products (containing the natural chemical azadirachtin, an insecticide and repellent) have a place on store shelves, as does dichotomous earth.


Metal & Ceramic Bowls
Plastic bowls have their place on the shelf, but they are a petroleum product, are non-biodegradable and have been know to cause allergies in some cats. The green options are stainless, aluminum or ceramic bowls.

To promote green products in the store, create an endcap showcasing products that support a healthy, natural feline lifestyle. Include clear signs explaining why these products benefit the environment and the cat.


John Tyson is a freelance writer and photographer who resides in Charlotte, N.C. He has 20 years combined experience in the pet industry as a multi-storeowner, general manager and industry journalist.