5 holistic and natural ways to care for your pet
Toys
THE ISSUE: Although the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission monitors toy safety for human babies, no federal standards currently exist for our fur babies’ playthings. Random tests of pet toys purchased by the Michigan- based Ecology Center, a nonprofit environmental organization, revealed not just traces of dangerous lead but also arsenic, chlorine, phthalates and bisphenol-A (BPA).
THE SOLUTION: Look for certified-nontoxic chew toys with no PVC, phthalates or BPA. In soft or plush toys, opt for simple, natural materials like cotton and hemp, and check to see if products are certified by Oeko-Tex, a company that screens fabrics for harmful substances. You’ll pay a little more for eco-friendly alternatives, but, as a bonus, higher-quality products usually last longer, too.
TRY: Honest Pet Products Hemp Eco Owl Buddy; Earth Animal Orbee-Tuff Tennis Ball; Purrfect Play Fortune Flyer Hemp Dog Toy