A forensic toxicologist examined Chinese pet toys for ConsumerAffairs in 2007. com and discovered that some of them contained poisonous heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and chromium. The toxicologist claims that when dogs lick and chew on the toys, dangerous chemicals may be released from them.
Are Dog Toys Made In China Dangerous
Remember that there are no official safety regulations for dangerous chemicals used in pet toys, and experts disagree on the threshold at which each substance becomes toxic to dogs.
Many worried pet parents are looking for clear information on which chemicals are harmful to our pets and how to avoid them because the USA has not taken a firm stance on its own chemical policies.
Manufacturers are not required to disclose on the label when they use a harmful chemical in your dog’s toys, which makes things more challenging. This can make finding this information more difficult.
Dog toys may contain the following substances, regardless of where they were made: PVC (polyvinyl chloride), phthalates, BPA, lead, chromium, melamine, arsenic, bromine, or formaldehyde. This is due to the lack of regulations regarding the quantity and legality of using these substances in our pets’ toys.
The best way to determine whether a dog toy is chemical-free is to get in touch with the manufacturer and ask them about the materials they use to make the toy both inside and out, whether they subject the toys to independent safety testing, where they are made, and how they maintain high-quality standards if they are produced outside of the USA.
Healthy Stuff offers a convenient list of pet products that they have tested for harmful ingredients, and some of the findings are curious. KONG toys are famously made in the USA, but Kong Binkie still contained 4.823 PPM arsenic, and Kong Naturals Straw Ball contained 94.580PPM bromine in its feathers and 267.828PPM bromine in its straw as of 2009. From another USA manufacturer, Busy Buddy Squirrel Dude contained 3.300ppm arsenic in 2008, similar to the Twist ‘n Treat, which contained 3.783ppm arsenic. These findings are not to say that no dog toys can be trusted – quite the opposite. The fact that these tests are from several years ago means that their practices may have since improved.
The site claims that toys made in China do contain more of these dangerous ingredients, and these results do demonstrate a trend in that direction. It’s also interesting to note that KONG only sends three of its toys to China: the Kong Wet Wubba contains three 874PPM arsenic and 11. 271PPM lead as of 2009. KONG states that all of its products have undergone independent laboratory testing. The common tennis ball is arguably one of the most notorious examples of toxic pet toys. Although they appear to be completely safe, some Chinese-made pet tennis balls have been found to contain more than 300ppm of lead.
The American Pet Products Association (APPA) states that its members are “vigilant” about the safety of dog toys. Many of its members adopt their own informal chemical standards – however, this can cause issues when one company has one standard, and another retailer has another. There is discussion in the pet toy industry about whether these standards are appropriate, as there is currently no evidence to suggest that pet toys have caused direct harm to our furry friends. Some argue that going by the standard for children’s toys is enough, as we do not have a baseline for dogs.
By focusing on the manufacturer country as the main issue, pet parents may miss the bigger picture at play. The fact is, toxic product recalls happen in the USA, too, even if to a lesser extent. And, not all companies are prepared to manufacture their toys within the USA. Oftentimes, pet toys are outsourced to China because the market demands pricing that is unattainable when manufacturing within the USA. So what is being done right now?
Until the industry adopts some regulations, some businesses are resolving the issue on their own. In the USA, a number of pet toy producers specialize in creating toys without chemicals. They also send their toys for independent laboratory testing. Goughnuts, Planet Dog, KONG, and West Paw, Inc. are just a few instances of US dog toy manufacturers who test their products on their own.
The Importance of Durable Dog Toys
Our furry friends benefit from mental and physical stimulation when they play with dog toys. Toys are helpful tools for keeping active and allowing high-energy breeds to burn off their energy. Dog toys make excellent training aids and throwing toys for these dogs. Some dogs would much rather work for a favorite toy or game rather than treats. Lastly, dog toys provide outlets for natural chewing behaviors. This is particularly important when it comes to teething puppies. Your puppy may chew things around the house to get relief from the discomfort of teething. Therefore, a good selection of suitable chew toys is a great way to support your pet dog during this time.
Dr. Steffes & His Dog Tashie, A Personal Story
Tashie, a 6-year-old Doberman pinscher, developed mouth ulcers that eventually led to the development of an inch-and-a-half lump, which caused veterinarian Dr Steffes had to remove. Steffes started observing Tashie’s chewing habits in an effort to determine the cause. He chose her favorite rope toys right away, all of which were made in China. Steffes took no chances. He started giving Tashie toys without dyes after taking away her colored rope toys. The infection cleared up. Chromium is often used in dyes, he notes. Most chromium forms are not viewed as dangerous to human health by scientists. However, research indicates that exposure to chromium (VI), also known as hexavalent chromium, can result in cancer or other risks if consumed or inhaled. Additionally, substances referred to as chromium salts, or chromates, have been linked to the development of allergic reactions.
Bird owners are cautioned by avian veterinarians that using objects intended for other purposes as toys can be hazardous because lead and zinc poison are the most common toxicities seen in birds. However, because birds enjoy the taste of lead (who knew? ), dangers for birds lie more in everyday items like chains, jewelry, and fishing weights that birds put in their mouths. Toys intended for children, cats, or dogs are particularly concerning in this regard.
Hungry anyone? For lead, that is. A recent study discovered that China-made ceramic plates, bowls, teacups, spoons, and other items contained lead. Up to 25% of the items in this kitchenware were lead-positive. One ceramic food dish found lead levels at 2,890 ppm. We were shocked to discover that so many of them tested positive for lead, said Dr. Toxicologist Gerald O’Malley, the study’s principal investigator, cautioned that lead in Chinese goods poses a serious threat to the public’s health. Eating utensils containing lead have the potential to leach into food and drink, poisoning unwitting consumers.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, lead exposure in children is not recommended because there is no safe level of lead in the human body. For instance, lead, which is extremely toxic and builds up, will present challenges for a child’s physical and mental development as well as their capacity to learn. Animal studies have shown that children exposed to heavy metals are likely to experience health risks throughout their entire lives.
Although it is possible for kids to swallow a toy, it is more likely that they will touch, chew, or smell it. And since pets almost exclusively use their mouths to pick up objects, what holds true for kids also applies to them in particular. Dogs are perhaps the most at risk because they frequently mutilate toys with their powerful jaws and swallow pieces of the destroyed objects.
Despite the fact that there is a lead standard limit in the U S. However, it is worth mentioning that there are no government standards for the amounts of lead or other toxins in pet products for children’s toys.
Santa was one of the more responsible importers; he tested his products before they were shipped to America, but the majority of importers forego the cost of testing. Catching tainted products before they enter the U. S. is nearly impossible: U. S. Less than 2% of all imported [food] items are examined by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) inspectors, and between June 2009 and June 2010, the few FDA officials stationed in China only carried out 13 food inspections.
The public is unaware that a toy is hazardous until a child is hurt or until a serious complaint is reported, at which point a recall is issued. However, occasionally more than one incident or injury must be reported before a recall is issued. Parents may not be able to pinpoint the exact cause of the issue because of the slow cumulative damage brought on by the toxins, which may take months or even years to manifest in kids or pets.
The risk of toxic toys is still present, and certain market dynamics are causing new issues. The Beijing government is currently increasing the minimum wage, which raises factory costs. Due to the financial hit, many manufacturers are being tempted to make compromises with regard to product quality and safety because Chinese exporters don’t want to increase prices and lose their advantage in terms of cost competition. The “Product of China” label should be avoided when purchasing toys this holiday season for a variety of reasons, including the presence of dangerous chemicals like lead and cadmium, sharp edges, or small parts.
Santa was kind enough to give me his list of pet toy do’s and don’ts so you can protect your pet.
Do’s Do your research. Ask the makers of your pet’s toys for documentation of any safety testing they’ve done by contacting them. Strongly consider getting rid of any Chinese-made items you currently have for your pet. Look for American-made products when purchasing new items, though this is not a guarantee of quality or safety. Remember that China isn’t the only country with a bad reputation. We are exposed to untested chemicals in products every day because the chemical safety laws in America are broken. No matter where the toys were produced, chew toys may have plastic softeners, foam beds may have fire retardants and stains-proofing substances that have been linked to cancer and birth defects, and plastic water bowls may release hormone disruptors.
Don’ts Santa suggests we avoid any soft plastic, vinyl, brightly painted, rhinestone, charm or trinket item as they are likely to contain one or more toxic heavy metals. Avoid toys made of latex, as they are more likely to contain lead. When looking at plastics, avoid toys that list vinyl/PVC as ingredients. Soft plastic toys are commonly made of vinyl, which can contain lead, phthalates, or other harmful chemicals. Safer, PVC-free versions of popular items can be found at Lullaby Organics, Rosie Hippo, Dandelion for Baby, or Planet Happy Kids. OK, the toys are for kids, but some fur kids (like cats), they might not chew them to bits.
Observe Despite the warning labels that state toys should be thrown away once they are torn, the majority of us let our pets destroy their toys until they are unrecognizable or obviously dangerous. Sometimes the worst chemicals are found inside of toys, such as lead in the parts that reinforce tougher toys or flame retardants in the stuffing. Therefore, it might not be a bad idea to pay closer attention to what your pets are eating and toss out any toys that are past their prime.
Visit the non-profit Healthy Stuff website for more great suggestions and details about product safety. Their website is a fantastic starting point for researching particular toys and products. You can search the results and sort them by category, toxicity level, or brand.
Think outside the toy box If you’re crafty or creative, be on the safe side and make your own toys – it’s easy and fun! Buy your own catnip at a health food store (or grow your own – I do). I put my (organic) catnip in tiny socks for infants, it doesn’t get any cuter than that! Or you could make this cute dog toy out of dish towels, all you have to know is how to make a braid. The ideas are simply endless. And healthy. Your pets will love you for it.
FAQ
How do I know if my dog toys are safe?
Inquire with the manufacturer if PVC, phthalates, BPA, lead, chromium, melamine, arsenic, bromine, and formaldehyde are present. Bring your dog and the suspected problematic toy to the veterinarian for evaluation or testing if your dog is acting strangely and you suspect a problem with the toy.
Are most dog toys made in China?
HealthyStuff. Over 400 dog and cat products, such as chew toys, stuffed animals, tennis balls, collars, leashes, and beds, were tested by org. Over 90% of the tested pet products were produced in China.
What is the safest material for dog toys?
Rice husk and natural rubber. Dog toys made of rice husk and natural rubber are completely natural, free of harsh chemicals, and safe if consumed for any reason. They are one of the best material combinations in terms of non-toxicity.
Are KONG dog toys toxic?
You won’t find BPA in their toys because they are made of natural rubber, which is non-toxic. Although there are no laws governing dog toys, Kong chose to maintain a minimum level of quality by adhering to other standards.