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My dog Gussie is a power chewer. She destroys the playthings I get for her, gnawing plastic bones down to nubs and gutting plush toys. I hadn’t given much thought to whether she was ingesting particles from these toys ― until I began to spot little pieces of plastic in her poop.
We know we should be concerned about plastics: Research shows that its production and disposal are making climate change worse, and that it can be devastating to wildlife and might be bad for our health. Advertisement
Since a lot of pet toys are made out of plastic, should we also be worried about plastic and our pets?
It can be difficult to refrain from buying our pets shiny new gifts. Pet toys are a $1 billion industry (sheesh!), and research reinforces the idea that pet parents treat their four-legged friends as they would a human child. Some parents take extra care to research kids toys before buying them; doing the same for your dog or cat can’t hurt.
When it comes to plastic and pet health, there aren’t many straightforward answers. But arming yourself with information about the materials in a toy — and knowing how rough your pet may get with it — are important things to consider before you buy.
The author’s dog, Gussie, experiencing toy overload as a puppy.
Since there’s still a lot of research needed to determine plastic’s impact on human health, you can bet that there’s not a ton of conclusive info about the material’s effects on pets. And pet companies aren’t held to nearly the same safety and quality standards that, say, kids toy companies are. Still, you can try to offer some measure of quality control for pet toys, says Katy Nelson, resident veterinarian at Freshpet.
“Always buy American-made, as we have stricter standards for what goes into our products than some companies mass-producing products overseas,” Nelson told HuffPost.
She also recommended choosing toys that are labeled “washable,” as “this ensures they’re made of safe materials and are able to be cleaned to prevent the spread of germs in your house.”
A common chemical used in plastic production that might be a cause for concern among pet owners is BPA, aka bisphenol A. “Products for pets should be BPA-free, but that is not always the case,” Nelson said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, studies have linked BPA with possible fertility issues in lab animals, though more research is needed to understand its human health risks. The Food and Drug Administration says that BPA exposure is mostly safe (the agency has expressed some concern about its potential effects on fetuses and babies), but independent experts don’t necessarily agree.Advertisement
A study conducted by researchers at Texas Tech University found that aging and worn dog toys contained increased concentrations of both BPA and phthalates, a group of chemicals that can make plastic more flexible and durable. Phthalates, too, have been associated with concerns around fertility.
“The interaction of pet health and environmental chemicals is understudied,” said Kimberly Wooten, one of the study authors. “What may be a safe dose for one species isn’t always a good measure for another species. But the amount of BPA and phthalates we found from the bumpers [a specific type plastic toy often used to train retrievers] would be considered on the high end of what you might find in children’s toys.”
Always buy American-made toys. Other countries might not have the same standards for product ingredients.
Even toys made from BPA-free plastic can be risky for your dog or cat, especially if they’re a toy assassin like my Gussie.
“Toys made of hard plastic can cause damage to the gums if chewed vigorously, and softer toys can be an ingestion risk,” said Nelson, adding that knowing your dog’s chewing and play style can help you determine what kind of toys are best for her. “A squeaky plastic flamingo might be cute, [but] it could pose a risk to your pet if too easily destroyed or ingested,” said the veterinarian.Advertisement
Even if you think you’re buying a toy free of plastic, things aren’t always as they seem.
The squeakers found inside plush toys are often made from plastic. (I’ve seen my dog’s tenacious jaws surgically remove these from the center of squeaky stuffed animals). And stuffing materials tend to be made of polyester fiber fill, which happens to be a type of plastic used in toys for both humans and pets. Whether this material contains toxins or not depends on its source; even if it’s toxin-free, however, it’s not a good thing for your pet to be ingesting stuffing, as this can lead to digestive issues. Bits of hard plastic can be rough on your furry friend’s GI tract, too, said Nelson.
Some people try to get around all these challenges by making their pet’s playtime plastic-free.
Look for toys made out of natural materials like hemp, canvas, natural rubber, bamboo or wool, suggests One Green Planet. The website compiled a list of eco-friendly dog toys you can buy, and some advice for making your own dog toys. (You could also try putting some worn socks in the freezer. Anecdotal evidence reveals that dogs really like to chew on these.)
According to Nelson, you still have to take your dog’s chewing style into consideration when choosing plastic-free products. “Aggressive chewers benefit from tougher products,” she said, naming hard rubber toys from Kong and Tuffy plush toys as examples.
“Consider puzzle toys and feeders for the more intelligent breeds who also need mental stimulation, and know that they’ll always prefer playing with you rather than just a toy. Choose interactive toys that allow you to participate as well,” added Nelson.
Don’t worry, cat owners, there are plastic-free toys you can buy, too! And you can make your own scratching posts and kitty tents out of items you probably already have around the house.Advertisement
The authors dog, Gussie, all grown up. These very hard cattle bones are some of the only toys that can endure Gussie’s strength.
What Are the Risks of a Bad Dog Toy?
Weve mentioned dangerous chemicals, but what are the actual risks you might encounter with dog toys?
Those are generally the most significant risks, but there are other chemicals and dangers that you might find.
One commonality with a lot of these chemicals is that theyre safe unless theyre ingested. Since rubber toys are not intended to be ingested like say a dog treat, these chemicals are permitted to be included in the product.
But what happens to dog toys? Well, your fur baby is going to be chewing on them, of course! Bits of toys that chip or break off are commonly swallowed, and thats where problems arise.
A person can know to stop chewing on something before it breaks, but most pups dont have that kind of awareness and will chew on a toy for hours.
Rubber dog toys can also break into chunks that can cause blockages in the throat or the gut, which can be life threatening. Check out this story on how a broken plastic dog toy sickened a dog
Thats why you should always keep an eye on the toys your dog is using and make sure to replace any that are starting to break apart.
According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, over 76 million dogs are kept as pets in America alone.
With such a sizable population, you would think that there would be some regulating force keeping them safe. You know, like the Food and Drug Administration testing foods and drugs for people. Is there some kind of Feline and Dog Association?
Unfortunately, there isnt! Theres no central authority testing and ensuring the safety of pet products. Not one!
In other words, theres no one out there with authority to tell toy makers to avoid dangerous chemicals.
Why would a dog toy maker create a product thats dangerous to dogs?
Unfortunately, its usually just a matter of money. Its cheaper to use harmful plastic than to source safe plastic, so a factory in lets say China is more likely to go with the more affordable choice.
Sadly, theres just no governing organization out there making sure that your dog toys are safe. You have to do the best you can in a dangerous world.
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Many factors contribute to the safety or danger of a toy, and a number of them depend upon your dogs size, activity level and preferences. Another thing to consider is the environment where your dog spends their time. Although we cant guarantee the safety of any specific toy, we can offer the following guidelines.
Blind dogs still have their senses of smell, taste, hearing and touch. A 2022 study found that vision and smell are linked in dogs and together help them navigate through the world. Even without added scent, blind dogs will likely be able to smell and find individual toys, but stores offer toys with food odors and toys that make noises. Smearing food on nylon bones or filling rubber toys with food or hiding it within “puzzle” boxes will entice blind dogs to play. They may also like tug of war and can generally follow a toy dragged along the floor. Some blind dogs adapt so well with their other senses that they play much like sighted dogs. Top 10 tips
Soft stuffed toys are good for several purposes, but they arent appropriate for all dogs. Here are a few tips for choosing the right stuffed toy:
Supervise your dogs play with squeaky toys: your dog may feel that they must find and destroy the source of the squeaking, which means they could ingest it if left unwatched.
Good Toys or Bad Toys For Dogs.. But Why ??
Toys are important to your dog’s well-being. Toys help fight boredom when you have to leave your dog at home, and provide comfort when they’re feeling nervous. Toys can even help prevent your dog from developing certain problem behaviors.
Although cats can be pretty picky about toys, dogs are often more than willing to play with any object they can get their paws on. That means youll need to be particularly careful when monitoring your dogs playtime to prevent any “unscheduled” activities.
Many factors contribute to the safety or danger of a toy, and a number of them depend upon your dogs size, activity level and preferences. Another thing to consider is the environment where your dog spends their time. Although we cant guarantee the safety of any specific toy, we can offer the following guidelines.
The things that are usually most attractive to dogs are often the very things that are the most dangerous. Dog-proof your home by removing string, ribbon, rubber bands, childrens toys, pantyhose and other inedible items that could be swallowed.
Be sure to buy toys of appropriate size for your dog. Toys that are too small can easily be swallowed or become lodged in your dogs throat.
Supervise your dogs play with squeaky toys: your dog may feel that they must find and destroy the source of the squeaking, which means they could ingest it if left unwatched.
Avoid or alter any toys that arent “dog-proof” by removing ribbons, strings, eyes or other parts that could be chewed off and ingested. Discard toys when they start to break into pieces or are torn. Check labels on stuffed toys to see that they are labeled as safe for children under three years of age and that they dont contain any dangerous fillings. Problem fillings include nutshells and polystyrene beads, but even “safe” stuffings arent truly digestible. Remember that soft toys are not indestructible, but some are sturdier than others. Soft toys should be machine washable.
If youre thinking about giving your dog rawhide chew toys, be sure to check with your veterinarian about which ones are safe and appropriate for your dog. These toys may pose choking hazards, so give them to your dog only when you can supervise them.
Many rawhides are byproducts of the cruel international fur trade. For a humane alternative, consider toys made of very hard rubber, which are safer and last longer.
Hard rubber toys such as Nylabone® and Kong®-type products come in many shapes and sizes and are fun for chewing and carrying around. For dogs that like tug-of-war and chewing on interesting textures, rope and woven toys are usually available in a “bone” shape with knotted ends.
Tennis balls make great dog toys for fetching, but don’t stand up to chewing very well. Discard any tennis balls that have been chewed through, as they can pose a choking hazard to your pet.
Kong®-type toys, especially when filled with broken-up treats, can keep a puppy or dog busy for hours. (If your veterinarian says your dog can eat peanut butter, make sure it is not sweetened with xylitol—which is toxic to dogs—and add some to the crushed-up treats for a tastier, and busier, snack!)
“Busy-box” or “feeder” toys are large rubber shapes that can be filled with treats. By moving the cube around with their nose, mouth and paws, your dog can get to the goodies. Many dogs who tend to eat their food too quickly benefit from being fed through a feeder-style toy.
Soft stuffed toys are good for several purposes, but they arent appropriate for all dogs. Here are a few tips for choosing the right stuffed toy:
Dirty laundry, such as an old t-shirt, pillowcase, towel or blanket, can be very comforting to a dog, especially if the item smells like you! Be forewarned that the item could be destroyed by industrious fluffing, carrying and nosing.
From 12 weeks to six months, as they lose their baby teeth and their adult teeth erupt through their gums, puppies get the urge to chew on everything. Supplying teething toys will make them more comfortable and save your hands, shoes and furniture. Durable nylon bones and rubber toys can take weeks of chewing without breaking into pieces that might be swallowed. You can buy specialized puppy teething toys designed to be frozen and imprinted with soothing textures.
Blind dogs still have their senses of smell, taste, hearing and touch. A 2022 study found that vision and smell are linked in dogs and together help them navigate through the world. Even without added scent, blind dogs will likely be able to smell and find individual toys, but stores offer toys with food odors and toys that make noises. Smearing food on nylon bones or filling rubber toys with food or hiding it within “puzzle” boxes will entice blind dogs to play. They may also like tug of war and can generally follow a toy dragged along the floor. Some blind dogs adapt so well with their other senses that they play much like sighted dogs. Top 10 tips
Sign up to receive our exclusive e-book full of important information about caring for your pet, including training techniques and answers to frequently asked questions.
Rotate your dogs toys weekly by making only a few toys available at a time. Keep a variety of types easily accessible. If your dog has a favorite, like a soft comfort toy, you may want to leave it out all the time.
Provide toys that serve a variety of purposes — give your dog at least one toy to carry, one to shake, one to roll and one for comfort.
“Found” toys are often much more attractive than toys that are obviously introduced. A game of finding toys or treats is a good rainy-day activity for your dog, using up energy without the need for a lot of space.
Many of your dogs toys should be interactive. Interactive play is very important for your dog because they need active “people time,” which enhances the bond between you and your pet. Try balls, flying disks and other toys that help foster the bond between person and pet.
By focusing on a specific task —such as repeatedly returning a ball, Kong, or Frisbee® or playing “hide-and-seek” with treats or toys — your dog can expend pent-up mental and physical energy from boredom in a limited amount of time and space. For young, high-energy and untrained dogs, interactive play also offers an opportunity for socialization and helps them learn about appropriate and inappropriate behavior, such as jumping up or being mouthy.