Hong Kong Chewy!

[Michelle Sampson]

How many of your dog's toys come from China? A quick count through Zoe, Shakespeare, and the gang's toy box shows more than 10 - a mixture of plush and plastic dog chew toys.

Until I read an article at ConsumerAffairs.com, I hadn't given too much thought as to whether or not these were safe toys for them to play with.

However, given all the recent health scares about products from China - pet food and treats, children's toys, toothpaste, etc - I should have known that pet toys would be the next item on the item on warning list.

ConsumerAffairs.com randomly chose 4 Chinese-made pet toys from a Wal-Mart store and tested them for the presence of heavy metals and other toxins.

Here is what they found:

■A green latex stuffed toy contained high levels of lead and chromium;
■The same latex toy also showed traces of cadmium, arsenic and mercury;
■A cloth catnip toy tested positive for cadmium; and
■Lesser amounts of cadmium were found in a cloth hedgehog dog toy and a plastic dumbbell toy for cats.

What did the tests find - that the toxic materials easily came off the toys, so if a dog does what comes naturally to him, a few licks and a bit of chewing could easily result in your dog quickly absorbing the heavy metals into his body.
To me, that does NOT sound safe.

We are constantly exposed to heavy metals through the water we drink and food we eat - why expose ourselves to even more when there are plenty of alternatives?

What's the alternative?

You can buy toys that aren't made in China and other countries that still use the same old manufacturing processes that China does, and/or you can make your own.

When Shakespeare was a puppy he got far more fun from chasing an empty plastic water bottle around the house than he did from any bought toy - apart from his Kongs (which are manufactured in the United States)! Then again most of my dogs will play with and destroy ANYTHING..TV remotes, shoes (GUCCI)..not funny, underwear (preferably used) haha..paper products, phones, books..you name it.

I've just purchased a book on making dog toys, so I'll share a few ideas with you shortly. In the meantime here are two links to web pages showing you how to make braided dog ropes - they are quick and easy to make, and just as good as any bought dog chew toy:

Fleece Rope Dog Toy

Make a Dog Toy our of Dish Towels

If you have ideas for other homemade toys, please share them.

Peace and Pet Love!

[Backyard Getaway (Lisa)]

I have never given much thought to where our dog's toys were manufactured. Thanks for the info. Of course our dogs prefer the empty mountain dew 2 liter bottle & the rope made out of old socks. Can't wait to see the other toy ideas you post.