We all know how important toys are to our dogs. They provide mental stimulation, help with dental health, and can be great tools for training and exercise. Bear in mind however, that not all dog toys are created equal. Some contain harmful constituents that can pose serious health risks to dogs. Understanding these dangers is crucial for pet owners who want to ensure their pets stay healthy while having fun.
Chemical Contaminants
One of the primary concerns with dog toys is the presence of chemical contaminants. Many toys are made from plastic, rubber, or synthetic materials, which can contain harmful chemicals such as lead, phthalates, and bisphenol A (BPA).
Lead: Lead is a toxic metal that can cause severe health issues in dogs, including gastrointestinal problems, anemia, and neurological damage. It's often found in paint or coatings on toys, especially those imported from countries with less stringent manufacturing regulations.
Phthalates: These are chemicals used to soften plastics and make them more flexible. Phthalates can disrupt endocrine function, leading to hormonal imbalances and reproductive issues. Dogs are particularly vulnerable to these chemicals because they chew on toys, ingesting particles and chemicals in the process.
BPA: Bisphenol A is commonly found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. It has been linked to various health problems, including cancer, heart disease, and developmental issues. When dogs chew on toys containing BPA, they can absorb this chemical through their gums and mucous membranes.
Ingestible Hazards
Another significant risk associated with dog toys is the potential for ingestion. Small parts, loose threads, or chunks of material can break off and be swallowed, leading to choking, gastrointestinal blockages, or internal injuries.
Small Parts: Toys with small, detachable parts are particularly dangerous. These pieces can easily become lodged in a dog’s throat or intestines, causing choking or blockages that may require surgical intervention.
Stuffing and Fillers: Many soft toys contain stuffing or fillers that can be hazardous if ingested. These materials can cause blockages in the digestive tract, leading to severe pain, vomiting, and potentially life-threatening conditions.
Rope Toys: While rope toys can be great for tug-of-war, they pose a risk if the rope starts to fray or if the dog attempts to swallow the toy.
Toxic Dyes and Colors
If you scan the dog toy section in a pet store you will see an array of brightly coloured items, mostly in quite unnatural looking colours. The only useful purpose of those colours is to help the dog owner locate the toy as dogs certainly don’t need the colours. Dogs have limited colour vision compared to humans.
Brightly coloured dog toys are visually appealing to the human purchaser but the dyes and pigments used to achieve these vibrant hues can be harmful. Some toys are coloured using toxic dyes that can leach out when chewed, exposing dogs to dangerous chemicals.
What to do?
There are a few pieces of advice we can give you about choosing dog toys:
1) Try and choose natural substances like Hemp and Cotton
2) Avoid brightly coloured toys
3) Choose toys that are durable. Nothing much can withstand persistent chewing by a dogs powerful jaws and teeth that are designed to rip and grind but try to avoid soft toys that will be easily destroyed.
4) Avoid toys with stuffing. That filling is invariably synthetic, often made from recycled plastic.
5) Dogs love toys with animal faces but the eyes and noses will be the first things to be ripped off and possibly swallowed!
6) Above all remove the toy from your dog if it is getting destroyed and there is a possibility of pieces being swallowed. That includes threads and strands of rope toys. Rope toys made from natural materials are amongst the best kind of toy but are only good until they start getting shredded.
Robin Logan,
RSHom