Dog Health – Avoiding Synthetics

To improve your Dog’s health in general, avoid synthetic products.

What are synthetics?

Synthetics are anything that is not natural. An easy way to think of synthetics is this: If you can’t make it at home, it’s probably synthetic. Unfortunately, in our modern world, synthetics are abundant and everywhere! For pets specifically here are a few things to avoid: Plastic bowls, plastic toys, plastic chew toys… pretty much all plastic!

If You Can’t Make it at Home Don’t Give it to the Dog!

My dad was a country guy through and through. He did not know a thing a bout dog health! He would give our second dog Zeus II Mtn. Dew bottles to chew on. Zeus II later died because of all the plastic he ingested and had to be put down. He also drank from a plastic water bowl and had plastic dog bones, everything that poor lab had was made of plastic!

Why is Plastic Bad for Dog Health?

According to Mayo Clinic:

“BPA stands for bisphenol A, an industrial chemical that has been used to make certain plastics and resins since the 1950s.

BPA is found in polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins. Polycarbonate plastics are often used in containers that store food and beverages, such as water bottles. They may also be used in other consumer goods.”

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/expert-answers/bpa/faq-20058331

Most plastics contain some form of BPA. Prior to the 1950s nearly everything was either glass, wood pulp or hemp. The key is that all of those things could be made in your backyard. You can melt sand, you can grind mulch, you can get high with grandma…wait? Anyways, there are some plastics that claim to be “BPA free” but honestly what is the point? We are trying to have our dog’s healthy and happy. Not to mention, glass and ceramics last farrr longer than plastic. The go-to materials for you dog should be: Glass, Ceramic, Stainless steel, aluminum.

Toys and Dog Health

Toys are much easier than most think for dogs. Dogs, do not think about their toys the way people do. They love sticks, they love antlers, they love animal bones. Stuffed animals are fine but make sure the materials are cotton or linen. You want to avoid polyester for optimum dog health. Dogs love a throw-able object. Try to get a fully rubber ball. Rubber is resin from trees and not actually plastic.

You can now read more in our part II guide! You can also read more about BPAs here.