Plastic is in the limelight—raising many concerns. As the pet market grows, so does the controversy about using certain products. But with so many plastic dog food packaging and food bowls still dominating the market, are they really so bad?
Here, we will explore why plastic might not be the best choice and suggest some alternatives—if you’re looking.
Concerns with Plastic Packaging for Dog Food
We are continually buying and using products that are packaged in plastic—from saran wrap to hard plastic containers. Dog food uses plastic as the coating for dry dog food bags in some cases. Plastic is often also used for wet food options and fresh food storage containers.
So, it’s inevitable that you will see plastic-wrapped products marketed at dogs—from food to toys. So, what are the major concerns about plastic?
BPA
We’ve all seen the “BPA-free” advertising on plastic products, but what does it mean? BHA, or bisphenol A, is a chemical found in many commercial plastics, and it can be very dangerous. BPA’s most common issue is infertility, but it can also cause cancer and a laundry list of other health issues.
If your dog’s food is packaged in plastic that uses BPA in composition, it can essentially leak into your pet’s food, causing adverse effects over time.
According to the Food and Drug Administration, BPA might be safe at very low levels, but there is no set guarantee.
Digestive Obstruction
One consequence of trusting plastic for dog food containers is the potential for consumption. All plastic could cause an obstruction inside the body, and it’s unable to break down in the system. If plastic pieces are torn off or your dog gets into his food, you might not notice that they eat indigestible plastic.
So, if your dog accidentally consumes plastic, you could have some pretty high vet bills on your hands. If your dog is a major chewer, they might also love chewing on leftover plastic containers for food since it smells like a delicious meal and is texturally satisfying.
Choking
In addition to plastic being indigestible, it can also be a huge choking hazard. If the plastic is thin, such as saran wrap or plastic bags, it can wedge in the throat, causing suffocation.
Plastic can pose a choking hazard and getting lodged in the airway can cause damage to the trachea and esophagus.
Absence of BPA
You might see pet food products rave about being BPA-free. But what does that mean? It usually means they just replaced the BPA with another harsh chemical, BPS—bisphenol S—which is just as harmfull as BPA.
BPS can interfere with natural cell development, causing an increased risk of diabetes, obesity, and cancer. It also causes a whirlwind of reproductive health issues in both canines and people.
So, the reality is that even when you see plastic products marketed as safe, they likely have a replacement ingredient that is just as nasty. So we here at Pet Keen believe it’s probably not worth it.
Plastic for Pet Food: The Pros & Cons
Plastic is readily available, fully stocked on shelves in pet isles, and filling up searches online. If you buy a product that uses plastic for packaging, it isn’t always necessarily a bad thing. It’s just something that warrants caution.
Positives
There isn’t a massive support system if you look for upsides to using plastic, especially when you’re concerned about health. But here are some benefits to using plastic products
Negatives
Plastic is full of chemicals and potentially dangerous when ingested is enough to make it easy. But here are a few other things to consider when you are letting your dog use plastic packaging or products.
Down to Brass Tacks: Facts About Plastic Dangers
When it comes to our pet’s health, it is a vital part of the equation. However, using plastics poses a huge risk to humans too. If there’s any way human beings can cut down on their use of plastic, we could reduce health risks for our four-legged best friends and us.
The bottom line is that plastic leaches into the materials around it. So even if you have a type of plastic with less chemical content than others, those chemicals are still seeping into whatever product you have.
Plastics also attract microorganisms that grow potentially harmful bacteria. When it comes to food, it can create rapid growth of these bacteria, resulting in illness.
Ultimately, is it worth it?
Alternatives to Plastic Dog Bowls
Since plastic is dangerous for dogs, it might raise the question, “What pet companies market plastic dog bowls?” After all, your dog eats out of these bowls day after day—couldn’t that be harmful? If it contains toxic or irritating chemicals, then the answer is assuredly yes.
If you have been using plastic dog bowls but are concerned with their safety, you can find many other options on the market.
Stainless Steel
Stainless steel bowls are often used for pet food because they are rust-resistant, easy to clean, bacteria-resistant, and lightweight. Stainless steel bowls are readily available through most retailers.
Ceramic
Ceramic bowls are an excellent choice for pet food because they are aesthetically pleasing, bacteria-resistant, and nonporous. However, they are breakable and can be more expensive than some other selections.
Silicone
Silicone is becoming a popular material for pet products. It is virtually indestructible and effortless to clean. As popularity grows, so do the options available.
You can find some really great options on sites like Chewy.
Conclusion
So, now you know that sure, you can buy plastic pet bowls if you choose to. However, other options are probably better and longer-lasting. If you buy plastic, research to ensure it is safe and toxin-free.
But the best option is to steer clear of all plastic products for dogs—in food bags, storage containers, bowls, and even toys.
Featured Image Credit: Olena Yakobchuk, Shutterstock
Quoted from Various Sources
Published for: WATPFC
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