Dog Health – Avoiding Synthetics Part II

Continuing our dog health guide, we have avoiding synthetics part II. To read the original article “Dog Health – Avoiding Synthetics” click here!

Synthetics and Dog Care Recap

Essentially, before the advent of fossil fuels dominating the world, almost everything was man made and natural. If we want to be more specific, everything prior to the industrial revolution in Great Britain A.D. 1850. In the previous article, we briefly discussed what BPAs are and why they should be avoided. This part II guide on dog health is going to explain in much more detail the potentially harmful effects of plastics in our dogs lives.

What are BPAs?

Bisphenol A (BPA) is an industrial chemical that has been widely used in the production of plastics since the 1960s, particularly for polycarbonate plastic and epoxy resins. BPAs are harmful because they can mimic estrogen, a hormone responsible for regulating various physiological processes in the body. Exposure to these endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) has been linked to adverse health effects such as developmental disorders, reproductive problems, and increased risk of certain cancers.

Sources:

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2023). Bisphenol A (BPA). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/assessing-and-cleaning-up-contaminated-sites/bisphenol-bpa
• National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). (n.d.). Bisphenol A (BPA). Retrieved from https://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/agents/bpabioactive/

BPAs and Their Effect on Dog Health

Developmental disorders:

Exposure to BPA during fetal development or early doghood has been linked to an increased risk of developmental disorders, such as poor attention, out of breed behaviour, and learning disabilities. This is because BPAs can interfere with the normal functioning of hormones that play a crucial role in brain development.

Reproductive problems:

Research has suggested that exposure to BPA may lead to reproductive issues, including infertility, decreased sperm quality, and disruptions to menstrual cycles. This is because BPAs can mimic or interfere with the actions of hormones such as estrogen, which are essential for normal reproductive function.

Increased cancer risk:

Some studies have suggested that exposure to BPA may be associated with an increased risk of certain types of cancer. This is thought to occur due to the ability of BPAs to act like estrogen in the body, which promotes cell growth and contributes to the development of tumors.

Metabolic effects:

Exposure to BPA has been linked to a range of metabolic issues, including insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity. This is believed to occur because BPAs can interfere with the normal functioning of hormones that regulate blood sugar levels and energy balance in the body. BPAs can slow down your dogs metabolism. Make him fatter and more likely to develop further health problems.

Neurological effects:

Research has suggested that exposure to BPA may be associated with neurological effects, including alterations in behavior, cognitive function, and mood. This is thought to occur due to the ability of BPAs to interfere with the normal functioning of hormones that play a critical role in brain development and function.

It’s important to note that these risks don’t prove their harmful. But, they highlight the need for more research into the health effects of BPA exposure. To minimize your dog’s risk of exposure, don’t use products made from plastic materials. Avoid the use of plastic food bowl or water bowls. Use: Cermaic, stainless steel, wood or other natural objects. Dogs are not picky. They love just existing.

You can learn more general information about BPAs here, here, and here: