Pet Toys and Plastics, What's Safe and What's Not!
At MyDog'N'More we like to only work with responsible manufacturers who make products that are safe for your pets. We know how much pet's enjoy chewing and biting to help them explore the world and as part of their playtime. This innocent play time could mean they are ingesting particles that weren't ever meant to be consumed. That's why we do the hard work for you and rigourously source products that don't contain materials that might leach or release toxic chemicals.
As a pet owner, you might be asking why is this important? The main issue is that exposure to certain chemicals and metals in plastics can be very harmful and can cause nasty diseases like cancers or liver and kidney damage. We don't want to stop our pets from having fun with their toys, so it's best to be aware of the nasty chemicals so that you can avoid them. You can be confident that we pay close attention to what manufacturers are using in their products and we avoid known toxins. That's our pet safe promise to you!
Here's a quick low down on the common safe materials which you'll find across our range:
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POLYPROPYLENE: Also abbreviated to just PP. This is is by far the safest material on the market presently for pet bowls or for products designed to help with feeding your pet. Polypropylene is also considered microwave-safe because it is heat resistant. Polypropylene is not only safer, but it’s also less at risk of containing other contaminants which can be harmful to dogs and cats.
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RUBBER: The benefits of natural rubber toys are extensive. They aren’t laden with known cancer-causing chemicals like many other dog toys on the market, will stand the test of time, and are completely natural. |
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LEATHER: Whilst leather is a natural product there are chemicals used in the tanning process. We use leather for our non-toy products such as collars. We highly recommend not to allow pets to chew on leather unless you know that it is safe! |
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NYLON: This is another non toxic plastic material which has great wear resistanceand toy life span. |
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GLASS AND PORCELAIN: These are great pet safe materials for dishes and like PP can also withstand heat and microwaving. |
Whilst MyDog'N'More source materials that are considered non toxic, there are lots of products on the market that contain materials which are not recommended. The list below isn't complete but contains common materials you should avoid for toys:
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SINGLE USE / CATEGORY 1 PLASTICS: These are a common source of Bisphenol A (BPA) which has been found to impact on hormone production which can lead to cancer. These BPA containing plastics can have very real health implications.
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CATEGORY 3 PLASTICS: Contain PVC (polyvinyl chloride) which has been classified as a “major concern” in relation to cancer risk |
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PHTHALATES: Is an additive used in some plastics which overtime degardes and can leach into soft tissues like gums. Phthalates give vinyl its characteristic smell. If your dog or cat toys continue to smell over time, they contain a high level of phthalates which is a known toxin to some organs. |
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LEAD: Can damage multiple organs, including the nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. |
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FORMALDEHYDE: Is used to preserve chews such as rawhides. With long-term exposure, or high enough doses, it could cause problems for dogs, including possible respiratory or digestive irritation. |
Whilst avoiding these common toxic materials is a good first step, there are also some other things you can do to help, such as:
1. Keep plastics out of the heat and sun
2. Use microwave safe dishes if you are heating any food intended for your dog’s consumption
3. Look for toys that are specifically marked as BPA, PVC and phthalate free.
4. Don’t let your pet eat anything that is not intended as a food item. Avoiding toxic materials and choosing safe pet products, doesn't mean that they are safe to ingest. Materials if ingested don't necessarily break down in the stomach and can block their digestive tract.
5. Don’t buy cheap toys. They are cheap for a reason. Producers looking to make money on cheap products may compromise on quality and safety.
With so many brands and products out there, it can be difficult, to know what to buy and what is safe. But we hope this guide can help you understand the common things to avoid and ways to help keep your pets safe and happy.
The most important things is still give your pet a chance to play and enjoy life through experience and excecise. And toys are a still great way to help keep them busy and active. So, do your research and buy PET SAFE!