What comes to mind when you hear the term “plastic pollution”? Maybe you think of plastic water bottles rolling like tumbleweeds down the street, cigarette butts littering parking lots, or public trash cans overflowing with plastic takeout cups and containers. But there’s a growing contributor to the plastic pollution problem, and it might be something you haven’t even considered: pet supplies.
Plastic toys, plastic chew bones, nylon collars and leashes, and single-use plastic canine poop bags… sound familiar? The pet industry has increasingly become packed with plastic, whether you share your home with a cat, dog, or other furry, feathered, or scaly friend. And all those plastic items and single-use plastic packaging that often hold them are having a massive impact on the environment, not to mention pet and human health.
Around 65.1 million Americans report owning a dog, and 46.5 million Americans own at least one cat, according to a 2025 Forbes report on pet ownership. This adds up to roughly 300 million pounds of plastic packaging each year wasted (and this is just in packaging for pet food and gear alone!).
The good news is that as pet parents, we have massive collective power as consumers to shift industry trends. But this plastic problem goes beyond just consumers making thoughtful choices, with a clear need for the pet industry to change on a larger scale.
Most Pet Products are Plastic-ified
The pet industry is massive and continuously growing. In the U.S. alone, pet owners spent over $152 billion in 2024 on pet products and services, according to the American Pet Products Association. A significant chunk of that went to items made of plastic, including collars, food and toy packaging, poop bags, litter box liners, grooming tools, and toys. Mass-consumer companies push plastic accessories and supplies on pet parents, who only want the best for their little family members. Unfortunately, plastic pet gear harms our pets, our health, and the environment.
Most pet products are made from fossil fuel–based plastics, which are non-biodegradable, toxic, and break up into harmful microplastic and nanoplastic particles. Most plastics end up in landfills, the environment, or incinerators, driving more pollution. What’s more, plastics contain any mix of more than 16,000 chemicals, many of which are known endocrine-disrupting chemicals that interfere with human hormone systems to cause autoimmune issues, cancers, infertility and other reproductive problems, and other serious health problems. As Plastic Pollution Coalition (PPC) Scientific Advisor Arlene Blum explained in a 2023 PPC webinar, plastic chemicals can cause many of the same serious health problems in pets.
And don’t be fooled by words like “recycle me” or “eco-friendly” on packaging, because many bioplastic items contain the same harmful chemicals as conventional plastics, and require industrial composting to break down, which most municipal waste systems can’t handle.
“We are not trying to frighten pet owners, we just want them to be aware that it is best for your pet’s health to avoid plastic toys and textiles as much as possible, and really be mindful of how their food is packaged. We are bombarding our bodies, our families, and our pets with a toxic mix of chemicals and we want people to be aware.”
— Tom Cosgrove, Chief Creative and Content Officer, EARTHDAY.ORG
A Brief History of Pet Toys in the U.S. & the Impact of Plastic
Photo credit: The Pet Historian
So, how did we get here with the popularity of plastic in the pet industry? Dog toys in the U.S. weren’t available on a larger commercial scale until the 1920s, and even then, leather balls were the main option. As more people started living with pets that were not just farm or working animals, the market for pet toys grew into the 1930s and beyond.
In the mid-1950s, as the pet-care industry continued to grow, a new kind of mass-produced pet toy was introduced: the “Nylabone.” These were, and continue to be, made from nylon (a type of plastic) and shaped like a bone, designed to withstand extended chewing. This was the beginning of the influx of plastic pet chewing toys for dogs, with an explosion of variety beginning in the 1960s and ‘70s.
Photo credit: Taylor Heery
As our world becomes increasingly inundated with plastic, we’re putting our pets at risk. Cheaper plastic toys often contain toxic chemicals like BPA or phthalates, which can leach out when chewed. Even if pets aren’t chewing or playing with plastic toys, the lining of their food containers often contain plastic, meaning that microplastics can seep into the food they consume. Over time, pets that ingest plastic regularly are exposed to known carcinogens and can develop hormonal imbalances.
“We find out more every day about how plastics and the chemicals used to treat them affect human health, so it should be no surprise that they can also have detrimental effects on our pets as well. Studies have shown that BPA exposure can disrupt normal hormone cycles in rats, potentially affecting the reproductive tract, organization of the brain and metabolic cycles. Since rats are often used as models for both humans and other animals, exposure to plastics can also cause these changes in our pets.”
— Dr. Chyrle Bonk, Pets vs. Plastics EARTHDAY.ORG report
With how much the pet industry has grown in the past century, you would think that all pet toys on the market are approved and regulated by an official government agency. But that’s not the case. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t currently regulate pet accessories (including toys, beds, crates, grooming products, cat litter, and similar items), claiming a focus on humans over animals.
Better Alternatives to Plastic Pet Gear
Photo credit: Amelia Hanson
A demand for safer products without harmful plastic packaging is increasing, and companies would be smart to take note. Materials made from cornstarch, mushroom mycelium, or recycled paper with non-toxic, plant-based coatings are designed to break down naturally without leaving harmful residues, unlike plastics.
Pet product brands could also design packaging using upcycled materials or offer products in reusable containers like tin or glass. Minimalist, single-material packaging designs are easier to reuse and require less production.
Pet toy manufacturers can also move away from plastic. Sustainably harvested rubber, for example, offers a durable, non-toxic, and biodegradable alternative to synthetic plastic toys. Organic textiles like hemp and organic cotton create strong, chew-resistant ropes and tug toys that are safe for pets and better for the environment. Responsibly sourced rawhide, bones (like elk and deer horn), and hardwoods like coffee wood provide a renewable material for chew toys.
Pet owners don’t need to rely solely on store-bought options, either. Non-plastic pet toys and treats can be found at specialty pet stores, eco-conscious online retailers, and local farmers’ markets.
Sometimes, the best toys are the simplest ones. A sturdy stick from the backyard can provide hours of entertainment for dogs (just make sure it’s free of splinters and anything gross). As cat owners are well aware, cats often choose random household items to play with and sometimes even ignore a purchased toy in favor of the packaging the toy came in. While a string of yarn or a hair tie might seem like a classic choice, there’s a risk it can create a choking or intestinal blockage hazard if ingested. Safer alternatives are toilet paper tubes, crumpled parchment paper, or braided fabric strips that won’t unravel into dangerous strings that can wrap around internal organs.
You can also bake homemade treats yourself instead of buying them in plastic packaging. Biscuits are simple to make using basic pantry ingredients like whole wheat flour, peanut butter, and pumpkin (like this easy pumpkin dog biscuit recipe), giving you complete control over what goes into their treats.
Reducing Carbon Pawprints
If every pet owner made just one sustainable swap, we could save millions of plastic items from being trashed every year. And you don’t even need to commit to being fully plastic-free; just one or two swaps semi-regularly can make a huge difference. The next time you’re shopping for your furry best friend, reconsider that plastic squeaky toy and choose a non-plastic alternative instead. Five ideas to consider:
Buy in Bulk or DIY
Larger bags of pet food reduce packaging waste per serving, or look for stores that offer refill stations for food + treats. DIY homemade treats and store them in reusable containers, eliminating the need for plastic packaging altogether.
Choose Durable, Natural Toys or Repurpose Items
Swap plastic toys for those made from natural bone, rubber, hemp, or recycled materials. Not only are they safer, but they often last longer, too. Even old cotton t-shirts can become braided plastic-free chew toys!
Support Brands That Are Doing It Right
More companies are stepping up with zero-waste packaging, biodegradable materials, and reuse/take-back programs. Look for B-Corp or certified sustainable labels.
Use Newspaper, a Poop-Scooper, or Truly Biodegradable Waste Bags
Challenge yourself – no more single-use plastic bags! There are several alternatives that work just as well.
You can fold pieces of old newspaper sheets to create a makeshift pooper-scooper. You can also invest in a reusable poop scooper with a long handle. If bags are a must-have, look for truly biodegradable or compostable options made from paper or plant-based materials, like cornstarch.
Go the Extra Mile – Watch Our Plastic-Free Pet Care Webinar and Take the 4Rs Pledge
In this webinar, we discuss the health hazards of plastics used in pet care products and provide tips and tricks for finding plastic-free alternatives. The impacts of plastic waste on the environment are also explored, and how we can reduce our plastic footprint as we care for our animal friends. Whether you’re a new pet owner or a seasoned pro, this webinar is beneficial for anyone who wants to learn more about how to provide the best possible care for their furry, feathered, or scaly pals.
The panelists are Dr. Arlene Blum, Founder & Executive Director, Green Science Policy Institute; Dr. Marty Goldstein, Veterinarian & Author, The Spirit of Animal Healing; and Tracy Rosensteel, Founder, Pooch Paper LLC. The webinar was moderated by Dianna Cohen, Co-Founder and CEO, Plastic Pollution Coalition.
