There are increasing questions about the safety of dog toys. You may have read horrifying reports about toxins found in dog toys, or maybe there’s something wrong with the manufacturing process of your puppy’s toys. But no matter where your pet’s toys come from, one obvious problem remains clear – in many countries no one regulates dog toys! So, are dog toys made in China dangerous?
When asked whether dog toys made in China are dangerous, there's a bigger question to consider. Currently, there are no guidelines for what chemicals may be in dog toys, and no one knows when harmful chemicals may become toxic to our furry friends. Without any benchmarks or regulations, it's difficult to directly say that American-made toys are inherently safer, unlike foreign dog foods that are subject to more stringent monitoring.
The Importance of Durable Dog Toys
Playing with dog toys can provide mental and physical stimulation to our furry friends. For high-energy breeds, toys are a useful tool to keep them active and burn off energy. Throwing toys is great for these dogs! Additionally, dog toys are also great training tools. Not all dogs work for treats, some prefer to work for their favorite toy or game. Finally, dog toys provide an outlet for natural chewing behavior. This is especially important when puppies are teething. Because puppy teething is so uncomfortable, your puppy may chew on things around the house in search of relief. Therefore, choosing the right chew toys is a great way to help your fur baby get through this period.

The Importance of Dog Toys
A bored dog can become extremely destructive.

Are dog toys made in China dangerous?
Keep in mind that there are no official safety standards for harmful chemicals in pet toys, and experts disagree on how toxic each toy is to dogs.
Many countries have not taken a firm stance on their chemical policies, leaving many concerned pet parents looking for clear information about which chemicals are harmful to our pets and how to avoid them.
To make things even more difficult, manufacturers don't have to disclose on the label that they use harmful chemicals in your dog's toys. This can make it more difficult to find this information.

Hazardous chemicals
No matter where dog toys are manufactured, they may contain the following compounds: PVC (polyvinyl chloride), phthalates, BPA, lead, chromium, melamine, arsenic, bromine, or formaldehyde. This is because there are no standards governing how much of these things can be used in pet toys, and whether they are legal.
Polyvinyl chloride: Ingredients that soften PVC may be harmful to dogs
Phthalates: May cause liver and kidney damage over time
BPA: May disrupt gut microbiome and metabolism
Lead: Can damage multiple organs and lead to lead poisoning
Chromium: High concentrations may be toxic to dogs
Arsenic: Can cause vomiting and loss of consciousness
Bromine: can cause indigestion
Formaldehyde: can cause respiratory and digestive system irritation
The best way to check if a dog toy is chemical-free is to contact the manufacturer! What materials do they use to make their toys, inside and out? Do they perform third-party safety testing to check chemicals? Where do they make toys? If they are made outside the United States, how do they maintain high quality standards?

Chemical testing
Healthy Stuff offers a handy list of pet products they've tested for harmful ingredients, and some of the findings are curious. KONG toys are well-known toys in the United States, but as of 2009, KONG Binkie's feathers still contain 4.823 PPM of arsenic, KONG Naturals grass ball feathers contain 94.580 PPM of bromine, and straw contain 267.828 PPM of bromine. The Busy Buddy Squirrel Dude from another U.S. manufacturer in 2008 contained 3.300ppm arsenic, similar to the Twist’n Treat, which contained 3.783ppm arsenic. These findings are not to say that no dog toys are credible—quite the opposite. The fact that these tests are from several years ago means their practices may have improved.

If you want dog toys to be non-toxic, buyers and manufacturers must do the following:
1. Recognize that the life value of pet dogs is equally precious, just like that of humans;
2. Don’t be mercenary;
3. Purchase regular, legal, safe and non-toxic raw materials to produce dog toys;
4. Find a dog toy manufacturer that shares the same values;
5. Strengthen quality inspection and supervision during the production process;
6. Establish your own dog toy brand and let the market recognize your brand products more;