Dogs are angels without wings. Gods make them our best friends after all. Which makes it natural for us to spoil them with treats and toys. And why not use eco-friendly dog toys?
We know that toys are good for a dog’s well-being, but not so much for the environment if they’re made of plastic. Depending on how active your dog is, or how many you have, their toys won’t last for long. When discarded, these plastic toys could become a significant source of plastic pollution.
But don’t worry. Lots of brands are now offering eco-friendly dog toys. Learn how to bring the “Happy Dogs, Happy Earth, Happy Life” spirit into your best paw’s life with these eco-friendly dog toys right here.
- Happy Hound’s Ancol Recycled T-Shirt rope log
Made from recycled t-shirts, this tug toy can easily be popped into a washing machine when it gets too sloppy. The colorful braided rope makes sure your dog can tug at it to its content without undoing the bindings.
Do you know: T-shirts and other clothing are the main contributors to textile pollution?
Find out how to lessen textile pollution in our article right here.
- GREEN & WILDS’s Lionel the Llama chew toy
Plushies don’t last long around dogs. Their claws and teeth can tear the most durable ones to shreds. However, Lionel is a lot more durable. Made from jute rope knotted around a recycled bottle, Lionel can withstand a lot of rough plays from your dogs. This also makes him 100% recyclable.
Do you know: Globally, roughly 481.6 BILLION plastic bottles are used annually?
- Himalayan Dog Toy Ruff Bone
This eco-friendly dog toy is made of hand-harvested and sustainably sourced solid olive wood, then soaked in olive oil. Which makes it perfect for teething pups or dogs who just love to gnaw on things a little too much.
Do you know: Unethically sourced woods are not sustainable?
These woods come from protected forests and cutting them down undermines reforestation efforts to combat climate change worldwide.
- Cycle Dog Retreads EB Chaser Dog Toy Ball
These bouncy chase toys will make for a very fun afternoon for your dog. Specifically designed for maximum bounciness, this green chase toy is made from post-consumer recycled rubber. The best part: the products are non-toxic, guaranteed by the brands.
Do you know: that rubber takes 50 to 80 years to decompose, which means they still make up a large part of landfills?
Only 50% of rubbers are recycled, however.
- Hyperflite’s Jawz Déjà Flew Recycled Disc
It looks like any other throwing Frisbee to play fetch with your dog, but the Hyperflite Jawz Déjà Flewis made solely from recycled Jaws Disc. While it is only available in black, the aerodynamics and durability are still top-notch, making your fetch game greater than ever.
- West Paw’s Zogoflex Hurley
This hurley looks simple at first sight, but that’s what makes it so great! It can double as a tugging and chewing toy for your dog. Made from West Paw’s patented material Zogoflex, this recycled rubber-like toy can be recycled again when your dog has gnawed it down to a nub.
Do you know: West Paw is known to be one of the greenest companies, with a wide range of dog toys to choose from?
Their Zogoflex is non-toxic, non-BPA, phthalates, latex, and is FDA-compliant. They also make their items using recycled plastic and polyester fabric.
- The Green Toys’ Eco-Friendly Frisbee
Made from recycled plastic milk containers, this Frisbee is lightweight, which makes for some great distance throwing.
Do you know: plastic milk containers are not always recyclable?
Depending on the recycling facility in the area, plastic milk containers are either recycled in a close loop. That, or discarded in landfills.
- Beco Pet’s Natural Rubber Treat Ball
One of the most unique dog toys at the moment, this treat ball is made from natural rubber and rice fiber husks. This means it is non-toxic, so your dog can chew on this ball for his treat without worrying about toxic chemicals in dog toys. Its unique design aims to have irregular bounce, making playtime a lot more entertaining.
- ORE’s Pet Recycled Canvas Old Shoe Dog Toy
Stuffed with recycled cotton, this shoe-shaped plus is a great eco-friendly dog toy for aggressive chewers and teething pups. Thanks to its built-in squeaker, each chew on this old-looking shoe will be a very fun game for your dog.
- KONG’s Goodie Ribbon Large
This is the king of eco-friendly dog toys on the market. Made from natural rubber, these eco-friendly dog toys last for a very long time, up to 10 years even! Thanks to its design to resemble a puzzle, you can put treats into the rigs, and make your dog’s playtime last up to hours.
So, in short…
While they look almost the same, lower, non-recyclable dog toys usually contain PVC, phthalates, lead, and Bisphenol A (BPA). These are toxic chemicals and are banned in many children’s toy productions. But, unfortunately, they are also very cheap. Since dog products have little to no regulations at all, it is easy for brands to pay for unethical cost-cutting. Shop for your eco-friendly dog toys for happier dogs, and a healthier world for them. If these eco-friendly dog toys are stretching your budget, don’t fret! Look for coupons on Tenere! With each purchase made, you are donating to reforestation efforts worldwide.