How to Choose Pet Toys Without Lead, Mercury, or Arsenic 🐶

Ever walked into a pet store, stared at a wall of food, toys, supplements, and all these labels—”all-natural,” “holistic,” “wellness”—and thought, “Which one do I actually buy?”

There are so many choices, and when you love your pet like family, it can feel overwhelming to figure out which products are the real deal 💁‍♀️

I’ve been there.

When my kids were little, I remember walking through the toy store and thinking, “Oh wow, that bubble machine, my son would love that!” But then, almost immediately, I’d pause.

“Wait… what if the bubbles have harsh chemicals? What if he eats some? Is it safe?”

And that teddy bear—so cute, so snuggly. But then I’d wonder, “What’s in the fur? Are there flame retardants on it? What chemicals might end up on his skin or, worse, in his mouth?” 

It’s amazing—and honestly a little heartbreaking—how much we have to think about these days just to keep our human babies safe. 

And honestly, why should it be any different for our pets?

They literally put their toys in their mouths every single day 🐶🐱

And here’s the thing: lead, mercury, and arsenic have actually been found in pet toys 😳

Studies and testing have shown that:

• About 45% of tested pet products contained harmful toxins like lead, mercury, and arsenic.
• Lead, often found in toy paint, poses serious neurological risks.
• Arsenic and mercury can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, neurological damage, and even cancer.
• These invisible toxins can quietly leach out as pets chew or lick their toys—something we’d never suspect during their everyday play.

It’s unsettling, but knowledge is power. The good news? We can shop smarter and safer.

I recently had Toni Shelaske on my podcast, the My Dog Is Better Than Your Dog Podcast, and she shared so much incredible advice on how to find the best, safest toys and pet products for our furry companions.

Toni’s been in the pet wellness world for decades. She’s owned several indie pet stores, created her own line of pet toys, and knows exactly what to look for (and what to steer clear of) when choosing products for your pets.

Here are some of the biggest takeaways from our conversation:

Look for Lead Testing

Some pet toy brands go the extra mile to test for lead levels, which matters so much when dogs chew and lick their toys all day long. 

Brands like Fluff & Tuff, HuggleHounds, and Tall Tails are known for their rigorous testing. If a brand doesn’t mention lead testing on their website, don’t be shy to reach out and ask.

Avoid PVC (aka “Poison Plastic”)

PVC is often used in cheaper toys, but it’s known to release harmful chemicals. Instead, look for toys made from natural rubber or organic materials. 

Here’s a quick tip: if a rubber toy smells like a car tire, it’s probably full of petroleum-based chemicals. 

West Paw is a fantastic brand that makes durable, non-toxic toys and even upcycles old ones into new products.

Choose Safe Chews

For puppies or dogs who love to chew, Toni recommends bully sticks, yak chews, or coffee wood chews (like the ones from Canophera).

Coffee wood doesn’t splinter and wears down gradually, making it a safer, all-natural option. On the podcast, Toni shared this with me, and I hadn’t heard of it before! 

She explained how coffee wood offers a more durable, gentle chew that satisfies dogs without the risks of splinters or chemicals (and no, it doesn’t contain caffeine). 

Shop Indie Pet Stores

Unlike big-box chains, independent pet stores often carry lovingly curated products and have staff who are truly passionate about pet wellness.

They can guide you toward safer, higher-quality options and even introduce you to unique, innovative products you might not find elsewhere. 

Try Pet-Safe Bubbles 🫧

Yes, pet-safe bubbles are real! They come in fun flavors like peanut butter for dogs and catnip for cats. 

(I’ve been thinking about stocking these in our Unicorn Space Retail! If you’re interested, send us an email and let me know!)

At the end of the day, the toys, treats, and products we bring home aren’t just fun extras; they directly impact our pets’ health, happiness, and quality of life. 

Want to go deeper into this topic? Check out my podcast episode with Toni Shelaske. We cover everything from toys and bowls to enrichment and supplements, and even some of the sneaky stuff (like lead and mercury) that can hide in pet products.

Listen on Apple Podcast 
Listen on Spotify 

With love,
Dr Lily 🦄