Plastic Bowls-I was absent that day! UPDATE!

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

Call me slow, but I guess missed class the day we discussed not using plastic bowls for our kids. Anyway-I'm on it now! So I went to Petco AND Petsmart today, to discover of course, they only had one stainless steel bowl big enough between the two stores. WTD? But at least they had one! So, now she WILL have one until they get more in stock. She has always had a stainless water dish. LOL, I had special ordered these cool plastic bowls that scooped down in the front that kept her chin clean-anyway-throwing them out now.

BUT-HERE IS MY QUESTION...If the food shouldn't be in the plastic bowl because the bad chemical can be absorbed into the food- what about the plastic container her dry kibble is stored in? Or what about her rubberized toys she plays with including KONGS and squeaky toys and Nylabones, etc? Do they not have the bad chemicals in them?

 

UPDATE-So I bought two KONG stainless steel bowls yesterday at Petsmart-one large one to feed in and one small one for the bathroom water bowl. This morning there was already rust in the water bowl!!! WTD? So they are going back today! How do you know if you are buying stainless that won't rust overnight? I thought KONG would be a good brand. Geesh, rust can kill a dog!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The main issue with the plastic bowls is that they can harbor bacteria; the plastic scratches and bacteria can get into the scratches. Stainless steel and glazed ceramic are non-porous, so that doesn't happen. There's also been some discussion about plastic bowls contributing to their facial hair getting discolored.

I know there are certain kinds of plastic that contain chemicals which can leach into food stored in it, but I don't know much about that. I'd think that plastic food storage containers could not be made of that kind, but I'm not sure.

Most of the toys are made in China and probably do contain chemicals as well as lead. But I don't think Kongs do, and I know that the Nylabones don't.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

PS: My DD, who works in a related industry, just told me that even if the bins, toys, etc. do contain those chemicals, they have to be heated, or the plastic has to be compromised in saome way, in order for the checmials to be released, or activated, or whatever.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I keep JD's kibble in huge ziploc freezer bags inside the storage bin. You might try that. Much easier than having to wash a big deep storage bin.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, do you have a link to the info about lead in the glaze on ceramic bowls? I'm thinking that would probably not apply to bowls made in North America or Europe, but I don't know for sure.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Ahh, there is a lot of lead in ceramics. Many ceramics even made in this country, Mexico, Europe, and Asia contain lead in the paints.

A few  years ago, in a Environmental Geography Class, we all brought in bowls from home from all over the world.  With just simple test strips purchased at any local drug store, you can test for lead.  Over half the class had lead in their samples.

Do not use any item purchased from yard sales, thrift stores, gold leaf piping, and many colorful paints, etc. 

We use the ceramic containers from Crock Pots. Even those have been found to contain lead.  But if you are unsure, there are plenty of tests out there in the market to test your kitchen wares.

Karen, can't look for your link right now but there are a lot of legitimate and scientific references out there on this subject.

[Heather & Brinkley]

What!  There is lead in ceramic bowls!?  I've been searching for the right size ceramic bowls for months that will fit into his raised stand (I know, that's another topic for discussion-- to raise or not to raise!) Brinkley hates his stainless steel bowls.  He actually will not drink water out of it.  He'll eat out of it if he must, but he won't drink he water! 

[Heather & Brinkley]

Thanks!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Ceramic bowls made by major manufacturers in the U.S. are fine, too.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I would not expose these things to this high heat. Dogs do better with bacteria than chemicals IMHO. I just hand the water bowls and food bowls. Toys get dragged around the floor and sometimes outside. So on rare occasions I rinse them. But keeping them clean in a bacterial sense is a hopeless endeavor.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I agree. I handwash JD's bowls, and sometimes put his stuffed balls and tennis balls in the washing machine when they get disgusting, but that's it. However, I can understand that if you are putting peanut butter or similar things inside Kongs, you would want to really get them cleaned well.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I don't give the dogs stuffed Kongs and haven't for ages. They did get gross. But have you seen what dogs put in their mouths? Just in wildlife alone around here we have chipmunks, squirrel, woodchucks and the the hapless wild turkey fledgling and I'm skipping some. Plus they have consumed tons of good old dirt. I do not treat with chemicals in the yard for that reason.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thank you, good reference.

I had read some of the reference materials before, and the lead is basically a problem with stuff made in China. But I agree witht he article, why take a chance when stainless steel really poses no risks at all.