By now you may have heard some of the buzz that plastics are harmful to our health and of course our pets’ health, too. Companies have been promoting BPA (Bisphenol A)-Free plastics, or certain #x that are safe to use. You may even have known that when plastic gets heated, it releases even more harmful chemicals. Unfortunately, it does not seem like any plastics are safe to use!

In a recent study “scientists discovered that many unstressed and stressed, PC-replacement-products made from acrylic, polystyrene, polyethersulfone, and Tritan™ resins leached chemicals with EA (estrogenic activity), including products made for use by babies. However, this study also showed that some PC-replacement products did not leach chemicals having significant levels of EA” (CertiChem, Inc). Unfortunately, at this time it is difficult if not next to impossible for a consumer to determine which ones. Another pitfall plastics can cause is contact allergies. There is a concern from toxic leaching of chemicals when plastic is microwaved or subjected to heat (like the water bottles left in cars). Also, melamine can be an issue if any of that is used in the plastic.

There are safer alternatives such as glass, ceramic, or stainless steel. Dexter The Dog uses a variety of these safer options. For our everyday dog water bowl, he has a ceramic dog bowl. Of course, he doesn’t have just one dog water dish, he has 2 in the house. Inside his dog crate, he has a stainless steel water bowl that attaches to the dog crate. This goes for the same in his car travel crate. When we go on our dog walks and dog adventures, he uses a stainless steel dog travel water bowl.

I just feel it’s always better to be safer than sorry. Maybe one day the scientists will be able to develop a safer plastic. But until then, I will use glass, ceramic, or stainless steel for Dexter’s dog food dishes, water bowls, and treat jars.

Do you travel with your dog? Tell me in the comments.

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