During one researching, scientists simulated the action of dogs chewing toys to assess how this affected the leaching of phthalates and BPA from toys. They looked at a range of dog toys, including "bumpers," a type of toy commonly used for agility training and for dogs.

The results showed that the toy leachate mainly consisted of di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) and BPA. Other chemicals leached from toys include other phthalates such as butylphenyl phthalate (BBP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), diethyl phthalate ( DEP) and dimethyl phthalate (DMP).

Researchers found that leachate from these toys had anti-androgenic and estrogenic activity, confirming these dog toys as a potential source of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Interestingly, toys stored outdoors before the study leached lower levels of BPA but higher levels of phthalates, suggesting it's a win-win situation.

In the United States, DEHP and BPA have been banned from use in some children's products, including baby bottles, but not in dog toys or toys for cats, rabbits or other pets. In the test just mentioned, the levels of DEHP and BPA in dog toys were among the highest levels possible in some children's toys.

The levels of these chemicals in bumpers are much higher than in other dog toys, which is concerning considering how many service dogs keep these bumpers in their mouths for extended periods of time while learning to retrieve.

In a 2006 report published by the Danish Ministry of Environment, Danish researchers defended dogs' rights, noting that dogs, like humans and other mammals, are subject to the adverse effects of phthalates. Researchers reviewed the results of a 2005 survey of vinyl toys for dogs and cats sold in Denmark. The study found that two phthalates, DEHP and DINP, accounted for 10-54% of toys.

Both phthalates are among six that the European Union has banned from children's products, prompting researchers to study the transfer of phthalates to cats and dogs who play with toys s speed.

Danish researchers also evaluated data on the health effects of DEHP and DINP in rats and dogs and found that phthalates caused similar damage to the animals' liver and reproductive health. They compared data from the two species because there is relatively little data on health effects in dogs. Based on their analysis, the researchers reasoned that they might be able to extrapolate findings from studies in rats and humans to estimate health effects in dogs.

The study's key conclusion is that dogs who ingest even small amounts of PVC from toys may be exposed to DEHP, which harms reproductive health; the mechanical action of chewing, combined with the dog's saliva, may increase the levels of toxic chemicals in dog toys Exposure; exposure to these chemicals during pregnancy may affect the reproductive health of puppies; even small amounts of exposure to DINP in these dog toys may cause liver damage; toys, leashes, food bowls, bedding, carriers, crates, Combined exposure to phthalates in household items such as clothing and flooring can cause serious health hazards to dogs.

Of course, dogs aren’t the only pets at risk for health problems from phthalates and PVC. Researchers have long known that exposure to DEHP and di-n-butyl phthalate during sexual differentiation causes male reproductive tract malformations (R) in rats and rabbits. Exposure to DEHP during mouse development also affects the regulation of the AhR/Cyp1a1 brain signaling pathway and disrupts the defense process of brain cells, potentially increasing susceptibility to environmental toxins in later life (R).

Other studies in rats have shown that maternal exposure to DEHP appears to increase the susceptibility of male offspring to brain cell damage, particularly (R). Furthermore, in mice, DEHP exposure reduces fertility through multiple pathways, including oxidative stress, cell death, DNA damage, mitochondrial damage, reduced cellular energy, chromosome alignment disorders, and adverse effects on sperm receptors on the egg cell membrane. Wait(R).

Generally speaking, if a pet product has a #3 PVC or #3 V label, or is clearly marked as being made with PVC or vinyl, it's best to avoid that toy and choose another toy. The same goes for toys that are not clearly labeled.

We cover a lot of ground here, but the most important thing to remember is that as long as our dogs, cats and other animal companions are not protected by strong legislation and regulation, we have a duty to do our part as responsible fellow humans. Make every effort to reduce their exposure to toxic chemicals.