Toy Warning

Stuffed animal toys made for children should not be shared with pets – especially dogs that like to chew.  These toys contain ingredients for flame retardant and mite control that are highly toxic to pets.  You would think a child’s toy would be safe for a pet too, because it is made for children.  However, manufacturers don’t expect a child to eat the stuffing from a toy.  We all know dogs that demolish stuffed toys.  Please be careful and only buy dog approved chew toys and stuffed pet toys.

To bring this medical alert closer to home, we’d like to share a story that our Medical Director, Dr. Donald McCoy, heard from a veterinary colleague in Portland, Oregon.  This doctor recently examined a dog that was very sick after eating a child’s stuffed teddy bear.  The doctor was concerned that part or all of the stuffed toy was swallowed and was causing an intestinal blockage.  Surgery was recommended and when she opened the dog up to remove the ingested teddy bear, she found a huge gelatin-type mess inside.  The dog’s intestines were black and the tissue was dead.   The dog died – no surgery could save him.

The doctor was very surprised and worried about this finding so she called the manufacturer and learned that they must make toys for children with flame retardant and mite control chemicals that also happen to be very toxic to pets.  So do not give your dog any stuffed animal toys made for kids.  Make sure all your dog’s toys are made for dogs.