Pet Accessories That Are Actually Making Your Life Harder As A Pet Owner

Sometimes living in the modern age feels like a cruel joke. This is toxic! That is hazardous! “OMG, you feed your pet that!? Don’t you know (blah, blah, blah)” It’s a PAIN! That’s not what this article is about. This is about making YOUR life easier. Sure, we’ll be discussing a few incidental hazards inherent to certain products… but we’re not trying to tell you what to do. Instead, we want to make being a pet owner as easy as possible so you can spend more time doing the things that matter with them!

1. Flea & Tick Collars: Let’s be clear; fleas and ticks are pests and do cause problems with our pets and our households. So this entry is not any sort of tolerance for parasites. If you suspect your pet is infested or is at risk for being infested: take measures now!
   
   That said, certain measures are better than others. Remember that the insecticide collars function by using chemicals such as tetrachlorvinphos (chlorine & phosphorus, among others) to create a toxic environment for parasites. The problem, of course, is that what is toxic to parasites and insects isn’t necessarily healthy for your pet either. You may already be aware that the EPA is encouraging the FDA to take a hard look at Soresto brand collars [Source]. But it’s not as if other brands work by magic.
   
   The problem is the continual presence of chemicals being absorbed through your pets’ skin. While some symptoms are as mild as skin irritation; there’s risk for neurological disorders (like seizures) and other long term health problems as well!
   
   Prescribed medications to deal with infestations as they happen, while annoying, is a far better option in the long run. Such medications usually offer sustained protection as well, so it won’t be as if you have to constantly reapply every day. And we don’t recommend applying each month according to the calendar. Just like insecticide collars, topical insecticides can have long term health implications for your pet. We recommend applying as needed. 
   
   Better, non-toxic products are amber collars, Wondercide, Cheristin (for cats), food grade diatomaceous earth (though word of caution, use sparingly as breathing in the dust can cause lung issues in both humans and pets), and good ole fashioned flea and tick combs (have a jar of isopropyl alcohol close by to put the found critters in). 
   
   Of course, the best option is to avoid the places where ticks and fleas like. Tall grass during warm, humid weather is a favorite for these bugs; so consider taking your walks on the sidewalk in those conditions.
2. Rawhide Bones: Your pup wants to chew! Your pup is born to chew! When is your pup happiest? Chewing! So goes the logic of pet parents considering investing in rawhide bones. Unlike fabric, canvas, stuffed, or rubber toys; it takes ages to break down a rawhide and it’s safe to ingest… right?
   
   Not quite. Sorry.
   
   Rawhides can actually be quite toxic! Many are treated with ammonia, but depending on the origin of the product; you might be allowing your dog to ingest lead, arsenic, or even strychnine! [Source 1]
   
   Here’s the thing: given that Rawhides are not technically ‘food’, they can side-step a LOT of FDA regulations. These chews are technically a form of leather and are about as durable as a trusty set of boots… boots you’d probably not want your dog snacking on.
   
   One successful tear in the wrong place can create a choking hazard for your pooch. But even if they manage to get it down; that’s not the end of their problems. Rawhides are not designed to break down during digestion. This can lead to intestinal blockage, which you will have to pay a vet to un-block. (Not fun!) [Source 2]
   
   Instead, consider a collagen chew. These treats provide all the durable fun of a rawhide chew but are not designed to tear and ARE designed to break down in your dog’s gut.
3. NylaBones: Like rawhides, but worse! Again, seeking out durable chew toys is understandable. But nothing lasts forever… especially in a dog’s mouth! Nyla bones will break down over time. Your dog WILL ingest the pieces. And there’s a very good chance that those pieces will eventually cause blockages (Hello, vet bills!). Regardless of whether you’ll have to go to remove a blockage or not; synthetic materials in the digestive tract do no animal on earth any favors.
   
   So, as above, consider firm but digestion-safe alternatives. They won’t last quite as long, but the good news is your pet’s health just might last longer!
   
   
4. Plastic Pet Bowls: This one’s really easy! Plastic doesn’t like organics. Plastic breaks down with use over time. Microplastics find their way into your pets’ systems. That’s not healthy for Fluffy because microplastics in human systems are also unhealthy! [Source1]
   
   Now, is Fluffy really ingesting enough microplastics from their food bowl alone to cause long-term health effects? Well, honestly, we’re not really sure (though we are big believers in NOT borrowing trouble). However, there’s another hazard to using plastic bowls: Acne. Yes, you read that right: Acne! And, no, it’s not just an obstacle to a date for the prom. Acne manifests in pets as skin irritation (which they will scratch at) not only is it an unnecessary annoyance for your pet; but (in rare cases) it’s a vector for a bacterial infection. [Source2, Source3]
   
   Thankfully; it’s an easy fix! Ceramic or stainless steel dishes (while slightly more expensive) will spare Fluffy all that skin irritation… and possibly a very expensive trip to the vet!
   
   
5. Flexi-Leashes: Let us be perfectly clear: there’s nothing a Flexi-Leash (also known as ‘retractable leashes’) does that fixed-length-leashes don’t except introduce massive safety hazards under the guise of ‘convenience’.
   
   It might seem sensible to have a device that can extend your dog’s roaming range when the coast is clear, and shorten it when there are dangers such as cars or other dogs around; but it’s really nothing more than a gimmick. First: if you’re in a situation that requires a leash; six to eight feet of range is plenty. There’s nothing your dog absolutely needs to investigate twelve-to-fifteen feet before you do. To that end, if your dog takes an interest in something you’d rather they didn’t; it takes that much longer to reel them back in. But this is the least of the safety hazards Flexi-leashes introduce.
   
   Second: Reel failure. The reels that wind the cords for Flexi-leashes have two failure states; neither of which will be apparent until they happen. The first is the reel fouling on its own mechanism. Usually this isn’t so bad as some gentle working at the wire can de-foul it quickly (however that in itself can pose a problem which we’ll discuss in a moment). The second is the retraction mechanism breaking. When that happens; it’s usually because an over-excited dog bolted at something of interest with such exuberance that the sudden torque literally breaks the mechanism. Which leads us to…
   
   Third: The leash wire is dangerous! A fixed-length-leash is designed to be handled along the entire length of the leash. Flexi-leashes are only meant to be handled at the, well… handle. Manipulating the wire while a dog is attached is just begging for trouble! If that wire gets wrapped around a finger or wrist and the dog takes off after something; it’s a recipe for disaster! Not to be morbid, but we’re talking about possible amputation! [Source1, Source2] This is NOT an acceptable hazard if you need to place your hand on the leash to reel in your dog in a hurry!
   
   We can’t tell you how many times we’ve needed to quickly shorten a leash with both hands while on a walk. No way we’re risking ropeburn (or worse) to do it! So, sometimes, the simplest solution really is the best. Fixed-length-leashes will do every job you need them to do and are far safer than a Flexi-Leash. 
   
   If you need a long leash for training purposes, consider buying a long line or repurposing a light weight horse lunge line you might find at a tack sale. These long lines allow for your dog to wander off in a field (not to be used while walking in a neighborhood or busy area), but you still have control over them and without the danger of the flexi-leash. 
   
   

Ready to retire those items making your life harder? Check out our recommended resources page and if you don’t see something there, leave a comment and we’re happy to send our best recommendations.