5 surprising ways you could be contributing to animal cruelty

You’re following a plant-based diet to fight against animal cruelty – but you could also be contributing to it without even knowing.

There are other, not-so-obvious ways you could be cruel to animals – some of which will be a surprise even to a long-time vegan!

1. Pillows

Pillows may seem harmless – but did you know that many are stuffed with feathers that are often live-plucked from geese?

While some bedding is a by-product of waterfowl that have been slaughtered for food – in some countries the feathers are still ripped from live birds.

Don’t let such animal suffering into your bedroom. Indulge in a peaceful slumber with these cruelty-free MicroCloud pillows instead.

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Starting the day right at @bannistershotels Paper, coffee, croissant and MicroCloud pillows is a formula to keep you in bed longer. . . . . . . . #accommodation #bannistersbythesea #breakfast #breakfastinbed #morningcoffee #mornings #beachaccommodation #luxurylifestyle #interiordesign #interiors #coffeetime #restandrelaxation #decor 📷 @abbie_melle & @bannistershotels

A post shared by MicroCloud -Luxury Bedding- (@microcloud_bedding) on Aug 2, 2018 at 6:51pm PDT

2. Razors

If your razor has a gel strip on it – chances are it’s not vegan.

This soft moisturizing strip is made with glycerin – a compound that’s often made from animal products.

For smooth and silky legs without harming any animals, try these eco-friendly Preserve razors made from recycled materials!

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*NEW* We are so excited to be stocking @preserveproducts razors. These razors are made from 100% recycled household plastics such as yogurt cups and the handle is recyclable after use. The lubrication strips are infused with natural Vitamin E and Aloe Vera for comfort and protection. This brand is what sustainable living is all about! Men's and women's options available. #ohnatural #ohnaturalnz #preserverazor #recycled #sustainable #sustainableliving #naturalproducts #lovetheearth #eco #ecofriendly

A post shared by Oh Natural (@ohnaturalnz) on Aug 20, 2017 at 2:56pm PDT

3. Vitamins

Vitamins help your body get the essential nutrients it needs – but make sure that animals have not suffered in their production.

Many vitamins contain ingredients like gelatin, magnesium stearate, lanolin, bee pollen, carmine, lipase and caprylic acid – all derived from animals.

For a cruelty-free vitamin boost, give these Deva vegan multivitamins a try!

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Hi everyone! Here is my review on 2 of DEVA’s (a fully vegan vitamins and supplements company!) products: their multivitamins and omega-3 supplement. Ever since I was an itty bitty child, I’ve been taking multivitamins. Sadly most multivitamins and vitamins sold at stores, including the one I used to have, contain animal ingredients. I set out to find vegan multivitamins to replace my current ones online, that were cost friendly. The cheapest vitamins I could find were made by DEVA. They are a little more expensive than regular vitamins, but the few extra dollars are worth it, considering no animals were harmed 🙂 These multivitamins contain the crucial Vitamin B-12 (1666% DV) and Iron (100% DV) which are a little bit harder to get as a vegan, unless you eat a lot of foods rich in B-12 and Iron. Along with their multivitamins, I got their omega-3 supplement. The top source of vegan omega-3 comes from flax seeds. One ounce of flax seeds packs in 6388mg of Omega 3 (nearly 6 times the RDA). To get an even bigger boost, you can take a tablespoon of flax oil which delivers 7196mg of Omega 3. If you’re too lazy like me to incorporate flaxseed or flaxseed oil in your diet, these vitamins are a great alternative! And, the flaxseed oil used in DEVA’s vitamins is organic, unrefined, and cold pressed! Both of these products are certified 100% vegan by the Vegan Society, so you know there are no animal ingredients hiding. If you’re interested in buying, I’ve seen these products on Amazon, Thrive Market, and Lucky Vitamin, to name a few. To learn more about these products, check out these links: 1. Vegan Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement: http://www.devanutrition.com/vegan-multivitamin-mineral.html 2. Vegan Flaxseed Oil: http://www.devanutrition.com/vegan-multivitamin-mineral.html

A post shared by Natalie (@veganteenager) on May 9, 2016 at 7:56pm PDT

4. Home décor

We all know to avoid leather couches – but leather furniture isn’t the only problem. Wool rugs, silk cushions, and other home décor elements can make animals suffer.

Luckily, vegan interiors are on the rise – check out Vegan Design to learn more! And if you’re looking for something beautiful to decorate your room with – how about this vegan and cruelty-free rug from Vegan Haven?

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🔷 R U G • M E • T H E • R I G H T • W A Y 🔷 Ok, not to brag, but our collection of rugs is rug-a-licious! They’re made from 100% recycled plastic bottles so they’re doing their part for the environment! Oh, and they’re super soft too, so they offer a nice place to lie down when you’ve had one too many and fall asleep in the bathroom 👍 Check out all of the styles and sizes from the link in the bio 📲 #vegan #vegans #veganaf #veganuk #veganism #veganhome #environment #recycle #recycling #environmentallyfriendly #saveouroceans #saveourseas #veganhaven #rug #rugs #plasticbottle #saveourplanet #homesweethome #ecofriendly #veganbusiness #environmentallyfriendly #homeinterior #homedecor

A post shared by Vegan Haven (@vegan_haven) on Nov 29, 2017 at 6:23am PST

5. Movies

Last but not least – did you know that the film industry has a long-standing history of animal cruelty?

In the past, animals being hurt (or even killed!) on sets did not seem to receive much attention, but now there are organizations like American Humane, which monitor thousands of productions a year to ensure no animals are hurt on set.

If you want to make sure a film you’re watching hasn’t been cruel to animals, look for the “No animals were harmed” certification.

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This #BestFriendsDay, consider bringing home a new furry best friend for #AdoptACatMonth. Check out our list of shelters near you! #LinkInBio

A post shared by American Humane (@americanhumane) on Jun 8, 2018 at 8:20am PDT