6 Eco-Friendly Dog Toys That Aren’t Ruff On The Planet

We haven’t gone barking mad or anything, but we have spent a considerable amount of time digging through the dirt here. By which we mean, the dirty world of plastic plushies and toxic tug toys.

Here’s what we sniff out when looking at eco-friendly pet products—which includes everything from sustainable dog collars to sustainable dog toys.

Materials:

Much like we did for eco-friendly dog beds, we looked for the same sustainable fabrics we like to wear (or sleep on / in). If we don’t want toxic plastic in our wardrobes, we certainly don’t want it in our best friend’s mouth.

First and foremost, that means (ideally organic) non-toxic dog toys featuring materials like wool, organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, recycled plastic, and natural rubber.

Second to those are dog toys made from recycled materials like plastic, as long as they’re BPA-free.

It’s worth noting to seek durable materials (i.e. natural rubber, hemp, and recycled fire hoses) since the most durable sustainable dog toys are also just the most sustainable dog toys.

This is especially important if you have bigger, chew-heavy breeds and seek sustainable dog toys for pitbulls or golden retrievers and the like.

Supply chain & labor practices:

We might not always associate a dog toy with the social issues that enumerate product manufacturing these days, but that doesn’t mean they’re not there.

Finding ethical dog toys that are not just sustainable but ethical was important, too.

These green dog toy brands are getting the ball rolling for other companies to follow suit by keeping their manufacturing local (many in the USA) and supporting their workers with fair work conditions and fair pay.

Carbon commitments & green practices:

The best eco-friendly dog toy brands really run the extra mile for the planet, whether through offsetting carbon emissions or implementing a recycling program for old toys.

Community & charitable giving:

Our precious pup might not always give that rope back when playing fetch, but we’re happy to see that many brands are giving back to their local communities.

Finding shreds of hemp toys scattered around the house is a much better experience when you know that your new purchase will help support an animal, social, or environmental organization.