A few years ago, my friend Anne and I purchased tennis balls for our dogs to play with in the backyard. Unfortunately, within a couple of weeks, both dogs fell sick with the same symptoms. After spending nearly $250.00 on vet bills, we discovered that the tennis balls we bought from a chain pet store had toxic substances on them.
Toxic substances such as high levels of lead, arsenic, and chromium have been found in cat and dog toys. Additionally, chemicals like phthalates and bisphenol A (BPA) are used to make plastic toys more elastic. These chemicals mimic female hormones and act as anti-androgens, blocking male hormones. When pets chew on and slobber over these toys, the toxins are released into their bloodstream.
Toys made in the United States are generally free from at least BPA, but toys made in China and some other foreign countries contain a list of toxic substances. High levels of lead, in particular, are commonly found in toys manufactured in China.
The aforementioned tennis balls are a prime example. In 2009, a study found that 48% of tennis balls specifically made for the pet industry contained detectable to high levels of lead, arsenic, chlorine, and bromine. Studies in humans have linked these chemicals to reproductive problems, learning disabilities, liver toxicity, and cancer.
If you own a cat, you might have purchased a catnip toy from a pet store. However, many catnip toys from overseas factories have tested positive for high levels of chromium, a known carcinogen.
When you’re browsing through a pet store, it’s easy to fall in love with the cute bowls with paws and sayings on them. However, the paint used to make these bowls can contain high levels of lead, which can leach into your pet’s food over time.
Plastic pet bowls aren’t much better. In addition to the risk of high levels of BPA, they have a porous surface that traps bacteria. The bacteria grows in the pores until it reaches harmful levels. For example, the term „kitty acne” refers to a condition in cats where the bacteria that grows in the pores of a plastic bowl attaches to a cat’s chin. The cat picks up the bacteria as she eats, and over time, her chin will have tiny blackheads that eventually become raised, red, and itchy, requiring antibiotics and a visit to the vet.