Dog Toy Safety: Avoiding Toxic Ingredients

If you have a dog then you can probably think of dozens of different ways that you keep them safe and out of trouble. But, did you ever consider that the very pet toys that you’re giving them, could be dangerous for their health?

What Are the Safety Standards for Dog Toys?

While there’s a commission that checks the safety of children’s toys, there’s actually no mandatory or even voluntary standard for pet toys or products. What this means is that manufacturers can test all they want but without standards in place, these tests essentially mean nothing. Many working in the pet industry want to change this by putting guidelines for lead and other worrisome chemicals found in dog toys.

Toxic Dog Toys

Tests were performed on hundreds of pet toys, beds, collars, and leashes and it was revealed that many contained what researchers call “alarming levels” of lead and other harmful chemicals. Here are some of the main findings from a study done at the Michigan-based Ecology Center:

• From over 400 pet toys that were tested, 45% had detectable levels of one or more hazardous toxins. Other studies have linked these toxins to reproductive problems, developmental and learning disabilities, liver toxicity, and cancer.
• Of the tennis balls that were tested, 48% came back with detectable levels of lead. Researchers also found here that tennis balls made specifically for dogs were more likely to contain lead than ones advertised for sports.

However, it’s also important to notice here that not all the toys that were tested came back with any indication that harmful chemicals were present. Researchers say while it’s great that there are some toys that are considered “chemical-free” we need chemical safety standards to keep dangerous toys off the shelves and out of our pup’s mouths.

Concerns for Long-Term Exposure

While there haven’t been any confirmed cases of lead poisoning in dogs caused by pet toys yet, some veterinarians still warn against long-term exposure to these toxic-chemical toys. Because, unlike us, our furry friends handle everything with their mouths. So, if a toy has lead in it, your pup could be ingesting a dangerous amount. And depending on the duration and amount, you could be looking at serious organ damage over time.

Looking Towards the Future of Dog Toy Safety

The American Pet Products Association maintains that its members are vigilant about making dog toys and products safer. Many of its members have adopted their own chemical standards when it comes to purchasing toys and products for their dogs. And until some standards are put in place, that’s what you might also have to do as a pet parent to keep your pooch safe.