Some of the most popular dog bowls on the market are plastic. But unknown to many, they can be the most dangerous bowls with which to feed and water your pet! There are a couple of reasons for this:
One reason is that plastics scratch and those little crevices can harbor unhealthy bacteria, that even a good safe cleaning can't deter.
In addition, there are many reports in the news that plastics can emit chemicals like Bisphenal A, or BPA. Every few years, articles regarding the safety of plastics hit the news headlines – most recently in the form of reports of a chemical found in baby and sports bottles: Bisphenal A, or BPA.
What is BPA? The EWG says, "bisphenol a (BPA), a synthetic estrogen used to harden polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resin, is the focus of a growing number of research studies and legislative actions, reflecting mounting scientific evidence that it causes serious and sometimes irreversible damage to health, even at the low doses to which people are routinely exposed."
The Environmental Working Group also goes on to say..."in laboratory tests, trace BPA exposure has been shown to disrupt the endocrine system and trigger a wide variety of disorders, including chromosomal and reproductive system abnormalities, impaired brain and neurological functions, cancer, cardiovascular system damage, adult-onset diabetes, early puberty, obesity and resistance to chemotherapy." So if they are having this kind of effect on humans, imagine what they are doing to our little dog bodies!
Plastics can also emit dangerous Phthalates, according to the EWG. "These chemicals, called “plasticizers,” are a group of industrial chemicals used to make plastics like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) more flexible or resilient and also as solvents. Phthalates are nearly ubiquitous in modern society, found in, among other things, toys, food packaging, hoses, raincoats, shower curtains, vinyl flooring, wall coverings, lubricants, adhesives, detergents, nail polish, hair spray and shampoo."
In addition, HealthyStuff.org, an organization who tests many pet products for levels of lead, chlorine, arsenic and more, indicates that even though some plastic pet bowls may be BPA free and certified as FDA food safe, some may contain medium levels of lead.
And these chemicals can leach from plastic containers into your dog's food, potentially exposing them to dangerous chemicals with harmful side affects.
There are some safe food plastics, and generally speaking most human plastics containers can be identified by their recycling codes that can help you find the safe ones. But the pet industry is slow to add this helpful id tool to pet products, so we are left not knowing what plastic pet dish is safe and which is not, or taking the word of the manufacturer.
Yes, there are some safe plastic bowls, but how do you know for sure, without having them tested in a trusted lab?
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