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]

Rubber is perfectly fine, as far as I know; it's plastic that may contain chemicals. (Well, it's made from chemicals, lol). Classic kongs are made from natural rubber and are designed to be filled with food, washed, etc. I've never heard of anyone having a problem.

Plastic toys, especially those made in China, which most of them are, can also contain lead paint.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

There are laws for ceramics made in the U.S.:

How Safe Is Your Kitchen?

Myth: Ceramic Dishes Release Traces of Lead

Reality: “Ceramics aren’t dangerous if they’ve been glazed appropriately to seal in lead,” says Winter. Since 1989 the FDA has placed strict limits on the amount of lead a ceramic product is allowed to leach through daily use. (Prolonged exposure to lead can impair brain development in children and cause many health problems in adults.) These rules are followed by large American manufacturers. But not all countries have such rigorous standards, and some small U.S. potteries may not properly formulate their glazes, resulting in an unhealthy amount of lead residue. Acidic beverages, like orange juice, can draw the metal from improperly fired pieces. To confirm that your ceramics are safe, check with the manufacturer or use a lead-testing kit at hardware stores). Bottom line: Confirm that your dinnerware has been properly sealed. If you’re in doubt about your Moroccan urn, use it for decoration, not for serving drinks."

Personally, I can't stand plastic dinnerware or paper plates, so it's ceramic for me, every time. I put my dishes in the dishwasher, too, and I feel fine about it. For dogs, I would stick with stainless steel, although a Fiesta cereal bowl would make a good dog dish, if you prefer ceramics, lol.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Basically, even if it were made in the USA, be cautious of the date of manufacture.  Anything made before 1990, painted with a glaze, pretty colors, or gold inlays, don't eat or drink from.

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Funny you mention Fiesta bowls. When we got Jack, our breeder said she uses the Fiesta 1 qt. bowls for the dog dishes. I got 2 sets for Jack, one set goes in the dishwasher after use and that leaves a clean set to use each day. I really liked the bowls and eventually got some place settings for us! So I got Jack and new dishes!  This is what the 1 qt. bowl looks like, it says Lead Free underneath, they are heavy enough to stay put.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I love Fiesta, and they have so many wonderful colors. It better be lead free, because my grandson has been eating from Fiesta dishes since he started solids.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

This looks like it might fit in the neaterfeeder.  I'm going to have to go check these out!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I'm sure Fiesta must have some shade of pink, lol!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Hattie will be eating and drinking in style!

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

Great, I really hope you like them!!

[Christine & Camus]

I have Fiesta dinnerware and love it and I had just decided to get Fiesta bowls for Camus because I wanted red.  The new dishes are lead free, however I think the antique dishes contain lead (I also have a collection of the antique that I bought at a flea market in 1970). I  have always used ceramic bowls for my pets, Einstein was a 65 lb. boy who lived to be 16, so the bowls did not hurt him and Comet (my sons cat) lived to 18.  Actually, Camus is currently using Einstein's white french souffle bowls.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

So, here is my question.  I have a large plastic container that has a locking lid that is made for dog food, on wheels etc.  When I get a new bag of dog food I just cut the top off and sit the whole bag into the bin.  This would preclude the dog food touching the plastic, but am I doing something wrong by leaving it in the bag inside the rubber tub?

Also, if the ceramic bowls or plastic bowls are both bad then Lucy is in trouble because she is going to starve and die of dehydration because she is scared of the stainless steel bowls.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I'm not sure what it is.  I didn't even know until recently when I bought one of those big NeaterFeeders and it comes with stainless bowls!  I'll have to try the brushed silver as I was planning to try and find ceramic ones to fit the neater feeder anyway.