In 2024, Charron served as EARTHDAY.ORG’s Director of End Plastic Initiatives and co-authored the report Pets vs. Plastics, an in-depth report on the dangers of plastics in pet food and pet toys. Currently, Charron works remotely as an Environmental Project Manager & Conservation Strategist in Valencia Spain. He is a member of the Strategic Development Committee and Governance Committee at the Outdoor Inclusion Coalition.
This Q & A interview on the topic of plastic and other harmful substances in pet products was conducted via e-mail due to distance ( North Carolina to Valencia, Spain).
What current regulations covering plastics and other harmful substances in pet toys, pet clothing, and pet bedding exists in the United States at the present time?
Absolutely none. The United States barely regulates these forever chemicals for people. It is most certainly not being done for our furry friends.
What are some of the more concerning toxics often present in pet toys?
PVC and Phthalates. When your pets are chewing on their toys these chemicals are often released directly into their bodies and absorbed through the gums and skin. The phthalates leeched out of the PVC can accumulate in the liver and kidneys of pets and have been associated with infertility, decreased sperm count, undescended testes, and malformations of both the penis and urethra.
Which agencies in the US, if any, are responsible for ensuring the safety of pet food and pet toys? Are any specific actions being taken to ensure that manufacturers with repeated pet food recalls are regularly inspected to prevent future recalls?
The FDA is supposed to be responsible for the regulation and recalls of pet food but is often not looking deeply into this problem. Little action is taken against these companies when an issue arises.
Pet food recalls have confirmed that pentobarbital, a drug used to euthanize animals, has appeared in pet food products in the United States. Why is this happening?
Most likely it is coming from the euthanized animals that are ground up and made into pet food. But we are still not quite sure of the exact source.
How are pets commonly exposed to plastic? How can pet parents minimize their pet’s plastic exposure?
Common exposure is coming from toys and in their food, but a lot comes from their environment. The artificial carpet in your house, the microfibers falling off of your synthetic clothing can be large contributors to plastic ingestion in pets. Biggest recommendation I can make is to avoid plastic in your home as best you can. It will make the environment healthier for you and your pet.
Is it true that products made in the United States are safer than pet food or pet toys made in other countries?
I would have to say false. The European Union has much stricter rules on what can and cannot go into our pet’s foods. Similar to the stricter restrictions they have on human food.
Is it healthier for pets to drink filtered tap water or bottled water?
Filtered water.
When shopping for pet toys how can one determine which toys are safe and which ones are toxic?
Avoiding plastic toys is the simplest way, opt for natural items like a stick or something made up of 100% natural fibers such as cotton or hemp. If it is made of plastic it’s going to have these chemicals present.
How can one determine if a pet toy manufacturer’s product safety claims are valid?
It can be extremely difficult to determine if they are telling the truth. The United States has no regulations on whether or not these companies are telling the truth. In other parts of the world those regulations are not taken very seriously. I would avoid plastic toys at all costs. Grab a stick or opt for other natural materials. Just be sure to monitor your pet when he or she is playing with any toy.
What toys do you give your own dogs play with?
All natural products like sticks we find on our walks. Or old 100% cotton shirts that we turn into ropes for games of tug-of-war.
Are there any other issues you would like to address or points you think are important regarding these issues?
It points to the larger issue of plastic and the associated chemicals affecting all aspects of our lives. We need to cut down on plastic everywhere. There are too few regulations when it comes to these compounds.
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