Monday, March 18, 2013

Non-Toxic Dog Toys Kntted in Kenya


Recently there has been a lot more awareness of the  potential dangers of PVC.  PVC, or polyvinyl chloride,  is everywhere: all kinds of plastics, wiring, storage containers, etc.  It is really almost impossible to avoid it.     The problem with PVC is that in addition to its production being harmful to the environment, PVC contains known carcinogens; particularly Dioxin.  Unfortunately PVC is also a very common component in dog toys......and we all know where dog toys are going.

Right in our dogs mouths.

So if your dog is chewing on a PVC containing toy they are basically ingesting harmful carcinogens.   Unfortunately a huge number of toys contain PVC....balls, squeakies, stuffies, etc.   Fortunately there are lots of new safe toys on the market, many of them are sold at my favorite online dog store: Olive Green Dog.

One option is there knitted dog toys from Kenya.  Weasley got one of the cute little  penguins for his birthday.

We already have the alien a tenth birthday present for Norbert, known as Paul in our house, and he is a family favorite.


The great thing about these toys is that like everything sold at Olive Green Dog they are all natural.   They are made with organic wool, natural dies, and non toxic stuffing.  Each toy is hand knitted by a women in Kenya, part of a collective or artisans that are part of a program that promotes the work of African artists so they can support their families and work in humane conditions.  So by buying the toys you are helping these women and their families.

The two down sides to the toys are that they are pricey, most likely because they are knitted by hand,  but at least you know they are not being produced in slave labor like conditions.  The second down side is that they are super durable, most likely because they are actually designed for babies not dogs.  Paul the alien has stood the test of time but Weasley ripped his penguin easily (at least I didn't have to worry about the toxic nature of the stuffing while I pulled it out of his mouth). I removed the stuffing and he is still enjoying the penguin in its unstuffed state.


21 comments:

  1. We have a knit Octopus, and I've been a little surprised over how much the pups enjoy it. It has held up well too. Perfect "mouth" illustration.

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  2. Great toys and we like the idea that they are all natural and made all the way in Kenya. Great idea helping support a community. Nice one guys! Have a marvelous Monday.
    Best wishes Molly

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  3. Hi everyone,
    Love the photo of you guys on the couch, you are all so cute! The natural toys are amazing such a wonderful idea, more people need to be educated in dog safety for sure!
    Love, Licks and Hugs from your furiend Frank xxxxx

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  4. Oooh, those toys look like fun. And how cool that they are supporting working artisans in Kenya!
    *high paws*
    Oz

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  5. Great post and those knitted toys are fantastic..I'd give Mollie 5 mins to destroy one though..LOL We don't always think what is in the toys etc that we give our dogs. Have a wonderful Monday xx00xx

    Mollie and Alfie

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  6. I have had this store in the back of my mind for a while because I remember you speaking about it before. I have to go take a look!

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  7. We're finding it harder and harder to locate safe toys these days. Sad situation.

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  8. Sounds like a great store, I'll have to check it out!

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  9. Thank you for the info. I have to be more careful when getting toys. The knitted dog toys sound safe and it's great to know they help people in Kenya.

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  10. Woof! Woof! yes got to be extra careful with toy selection. LOVE your photo on your blog header. Lots of Golden Woofs, Sugar

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  11. Good to know, thanks for sharing. I'm so glad the hounds like their toys!
    Love,
    Christy

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  12. Those are cute! I keep meaning to knit the Lapdogs some toys... then I watch Sophie de-stuff a store bought one and think again.

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  13. This is very good to know. It made Mom think again about some little balls she was going to order for me, but now she wants to find out more about what they are made of. Thanks
    hugs
    Greta, Bailey & Hazel too

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  14. Mama used to buy some amazing kids toys from a local nun's charity from Africa for many of the same reasons. She liked that they were safe and that the proceeds all went to helping local African woman that worked in the coop.

    Mom has tried crocheting us toys. She made some Easter eggs and while Katy loved them, they didn't last long. We love on the yarn and poof it's gone.

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  15. Love your 'crazy' face - or is that your normal face?:)
    Those are great toys. Mum once crocheted us some soft balls we can throw around the house.
    Dip Bridge and Elliot x

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  16. Thanks, I'll pass this on to my daughter so my grand-dog stays safe since Max doesn't "Do" toys...think I am his toy :)

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  17. Thank you for telling us about the "safe toy".
    Its important to know.
    I like your big smile photo.
    love
    tweedles

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  18. Great post! Thank you for the reminder about dangers in dog toys. We don't get a lot of toys because they only last a few minutes around here. I need to find a indestructible fabric to make toys. The terriers love to play with hard rubber balls and the Siberians love to eat them.

    Weasley looks so cute with his little penguin. You really get some cute poses.

    Nina, Myshka, Sasha, Betsy, Phoebe, Lily, Paris, Punkin, Annabelle and Lucy

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  19. That is great information and thank you


    Loveys Sasha

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  20. Thanks for sharing this, mummy will definitely be keeping an eye on what my toys are made of in future. Sadly if its packaged as a dog toy, you just assume it is actually safe for them.

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  21. Good advice...off to check out some safer dog toys!

    Wyatt and Stanzie

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