In a world where we carefully scrutinize our dogs’ food labels and research the best nutritional approaches for our canine companions, it’s equally important to consider the environmental factors affecting their health, as well as ours. At Sundog, we believe that wellness extends beyond what goes into your dog’s bowl to encompass the entire environment where you both live, play and thrive.
The Barrel Theory: Understanding Your Dog’s Toxic Load
Imagine your dog’s body – and your own – as a barrel. Throughout life, this barrel collects various toxins from food, water, air and direct contact with surfaces. Your body has natural detoxification systems (like the liver and kidneys) that work to process and eliminate these toxins, keeping the barrel from filling completely.
However, there’s a threshold. When too many toxins accumulate faster than the body can eliminate them, the barrel overflows. This overflow can manifest as health issues: allergies, skin problems, digestive disturbances, or more serious conditions like cancer or autoimmune disorders.
This concept, known as the “barrel theory” in holistic health circles, helps explain why some environmental exposures might not cause immediate problems but can contribute to health issues over time. It also explains why reducing your dog’s overall toxic burden, even in seemingly small ways, can have significant health benefits.
The barrel theory was one of the first fundamental concepts I encountered during my studies in holistic nutrition for humans. It’s a powerful framework that applies equally well to our canine companions, helping us understand why a comprehensive approach to reducing toxic exposures is so important for long-term health.
The Sanctuary of Home: Addressing Environmental Toxins Where It Matters Most
For us lucky ones, our homes are our sanctuaries. Sacred spaces where we rest, play and enjoy life’s precious moments with those we love, including our canine companions. Our personal havens are where we spend the majority of our time, breathing the same air, touching the same surfaces and sharing the same environment day after day. That’s why addressing environmental toxins at home is both so important and so impactful for our collective wellbeing.
The journey toward a less toxic home environment begins with awareness. Each room and routine activity presents opportunities to reduce chemical burden and create a healthier living space. Consider these key areas where toxins commonly enter our homes, affecting both human and canine health in ways that may not be immediately apparent but can accumulate over time.
Commercial Cleaning Products
Those lemon-fresh, pine-scented cleaning products that make your home smell “clean” often contain chemicals that can harm both humans and canines alike. Many conventional cleaners contain:
- Phthalates in fragranced products, which can disrupt hormones
- Perchloroethylene in spot removers and carpet cleaners, a neurotoxin
- Quaternary ammonium compounds ("quats") in fabric softeners and dryer sheets, linked to respiratory issues
- 2-Butoxyethanol in multi-purpose cleaners, which can cause liver and kidney damage
Remember that dogs experience these chemicals more intensely than we do. They walk barefoot on freshly cleaned floors, lick their paws and are breathing lower to the ground where heavier chemical vapors can concentrate. What seems like a mild scent to us can be overwhelming and potentially harmful to them.
Healthier alternatives: Opt for certified non-toxic cleaners from reputable brands such as Dr. Bronner’s (opt for its scent-free products) and Seventh Generation in North America, Ecover in the UK, or Sonnett and Sodasan in the EU. Simple steam cleaning with water is also highly effective for many surfaces.
A Word About Essential Oils
While essential oils can be wonderful alternatives to synthetic fragrances, they require special consideration when you have dogs (and pets, more generally). What smells pleasant and therapeutic to humans can be overwhelming or even toxic to our canine companions.
Essential oils when it comes to dogs is serious business. Dogs have much more sensitive noses than humans and their bodies process these concentrated plant compounds differently. Some oils that are perfectly safe for humans — such as tea tree, cinnamon, citrus oils, pine, wintergreen and ylang-ylang — can be harmful to dogs.
Before diffusing oils in your home or using them in homemade cleaning products, research which ones are dog-friendly. Even with safe oils, always:
- Ensure proper ventilation
- Provide an escape route so your dog can easily leave the area
- Use diluted oils rather than full strength
- Watch for signs of discomfort like sneezing, coughing, watery eyes, or lethargy
- Never apply essential oils directly to your dog without veterinary guidance
Feeding Bowls: Not All Materials Are Created Equal
That colourful plastic bowl or even the shiny metal one might be leaching unwanted chemicals into your dog’s food and water:
- Plastic bowls can contain BPA, phthalates, and other endocrine-disrupting chemicals that leach into food, especially when scratched or heated
- Some metal bowls, particularly cheaper varieties, may contain lead or release nickel and other heavy metals
- Ceramic bowls with improper glazing can leach lead and other toxins
Healthier alternatives: High-quality stainless steel (food-grade 304 or 316), certified lead-free ceramic, or glass bowls are your best options. Replace bowls when they become scratched or damaged.
Non-Toxic Materials in Dog Toys: What to Look For
Dog toys can introduce unwanted chemical exposures into our homes, as many are manufactured with industrial compounds that can leach out during play and chewing. Unlike children’s products, pet toys face minimal safety regulations, allowing toxins another pathway to affect our four-legged family members.
When shopping for dog toys, prioritize these safer materials to minimize your pet’s exposure to harmful chemicals:
Best Non-Toxic Materials
- Natural rubber - Durable and biodegradable
- Food-grade silicone - Easy to clean, BPA-free
- Cotton (preferably organic or naturally dyed)
- Hemp - Naturally antimicrobial for rope toys
Practical Tips
- For budget options, look for toys labeled “BPA-free” and “phthalate-free”
- Simple cotton rope toys from pet stores are generally safe and affordable
Remember that the best toy depends on your dog’s chewing style and preferences. Replace toys when they show signs of significant wear. Even with non-toxic materials, always supervise play with new toys.
Top Non-Toxic Toy Brands
Look for these trusted non-toxic dog toy brands in your region: Beco Pets, Hevea and Laboni Design in the EU and UK; West Paw and Simply Fido in North America.
Flame Retardants: The Hidden Danger in Furniture
That cozy couch where you and your dog snuggle might be harbouring harmful chemicals. Flame retardants, particularly PBDEs (polybrominated diphenyl ethers), are commonly found in:
- Upholstered furniture
- Pet beds
- Carpeting and carpet padding
- Electronics
These chemicals don’t stay put, instead they migrate into household dust that both you and your dog inhale and ingest. Studies have linked flame retardants to thyroid disruption, cancer and neurodevelopmental issues in both humans and animals.
Healthier alternatives: Look for furniture labeled “flame retardant free,” choose natural fibers like wool (naturally flame resistant), organic cotton, hemp, or linen and regularly vacuum with a HEPA filter to reduce dust.
Environmental Exposures Beyond Your Home
Lawn and Garden Chemicals: A Hidden Threat Underfoot
That perfect green lawn might come at a high cost to health. Pesticides and herbicides like glyphosate (found in Roundup) have been linked to cancer and other serious health conditions in both dogs and humans.
Dogs are particularly vulnerable because they:
- Walk directly on treated surfaces
- Often eat grass or chew on sticks from treated areas
- Groom themselves, ingesting residues from their paws and fur
If you do spray your own lawn, consider waiting 72 hours or longer before letting dogs (or humans) on it, especially puppies, senior dogs, or dogs with health conditions. After the waiting period, rinse your dog’s paws after walks on treated areas.
Even if you don’t chemically treat your own lawn, be aware of public parks, neighbors’ yards, and other green areas where your dog walks that might be treated with chemicals.
Healthier alternatives: Embrace natural lawn care using organic fertilizers, beneficial nematodes for pest control and manual weed removal. Consider creating a dog-friendly yard with hardy, non-toxic plants and grasses that require fewer interventions.
Agricultural Field Exposures
In rural areas, particularly in the UK and similar regions, it’s common to walk dogs along public footpaths that run alongside or even cut through active agricultural fields. While these walks can be beautiful, they come with hidden risks.
Crops in conventional farming are regularly treated with pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides. When your dog walks through recently sprayed areas, these chemicals can transfer to their paws and fur, later being ingested during grooming or absorbed through the skin.
If you live near agricultural areas:
- Learn the spraying schedules for nearby fields when possible
- Wait at least 3 days after spraying before walking your dog on paths near treated fields
- Consider walking in the early morning when dew might reduce dust and residue
- Rinse your dog’s paws after walks near agricultural areas
- Consider using dog booties for added protection during high-risk times
Beach and Waterway Pollution Concerns
Beach walks are wonderful exercise for dogs and tremendously healing for humans, but some coastal areas come with their own set of potential toxin exposures:
- Sea foam: While most sea foam is natural and harmless, foam in polluted areas can contain concentrated pollutants including PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) – industrial chemicals known as “forever chemical” because they persist in the environment for decades without breaking down – as well as pesticides and detergents. If you see unusual foam where waves hit the shore, particularly near industrial areas or after heavy rains that cause runoff, it’s best to keep dogs (and humans) away from it.
- Sewage contamination: Unfortunately, some beaches and waterways experience periodic contamination from human sewage, especially after heavy rainfall in areas with combined sewer systems. This can introduce harmful bacteria and viruses that pose health risks to both humans and dogs. Check local water quality advisories before beach visits and avoid areas with posted warnings or unusual odours.
For UK residents, the UK-based marine conservation charity Surfers Against Sewage (SAS) offers an invaluable resource for monitoring beach pollution. Their free Safer Seas & Rivers Service app provides real-time alerts about sewage discharges and pollution incidents at over 400 UK beaches and bathing spots. The app sends notifications when water quality may be compromised, helping you make informed decisions about when it’s safe for you or your dog to swim.
- Algal blooms: Some algae produce toxins that can be harmful or even fatal to dogs who swim in affected water or lick their fur afterward. Be cautious of water that appears discolored, has a surface scum, or smells unusual.
After beach visits, rinse your dog thoroughly with clean water, paying special attention to paws and any areas they might lick later.
Drinking Water Quality: The Fountain of Health
The tap water that both you and your dog drink daily can contain concerning contaminants:
- Agricultural runoff (pesticides, herbicides, fertilizers)
- Industrial chemicals
- Pharmaceutical residues (including hormones from birth control)
- Heavy metals like lead and arsenic
- Chlorine and fluoride additives in the US and Canada
Dogs drink more water relative to their body weight than humans do, making water quality especially important for their health.
Healthier alternatives: Invest in a high-quality water filtration system, ideally one that removes pharmaceuticals, heavy metals and agricultural chemicals. Options range from gravity filters like those made by Santevia, to reverse-osmosis under-sink systems, to whole-house filtration. Remember to change filters as recommended to maintain their effectiveness.
Creating a Lower-Toxin Lifestyle: Small Changes, Big Impact
Reducing your environmental toxic load doesn’t require moving to a remote mountain cabin (however lovely that may sound). Small, consistent changes can significantly lower the level in both your and your dog’s “barrels”. Here are a few tips to help you get started:
- Start with one part of the home at a time - Begin with the floors, or the areas where your dog spends the most time.
- Replace products as they run out - No need to throw everything away at once; as cleaning products are used up, replace them with non-toxic alternatives.
- Focus on air quality - Open windows when possible, use HEPA air purifiers, and bring in air-purifying houseplants (ensuring they’re non-toxic to dogs, such as Spider plant and Money plant).
- Create post-walk routines - Wipe paws after walks, especially in areas with potential chemical exposures.
- Remove shoes at the door - This simple habit reduces tracking in pesticides, lawn chemicals and other outdoor pollutants.
- Dust and vacuum regularly - Many toxins bind to household dust, so regular cleaning with a HEPA vacuum helps reduce exposure.
- Choose organic when possible - This applies to both your food and your dog’s, reducing pesticide exposure through diet.
- Read labels carefully - Look beyond marketing claims like “natural” and “green” to actual ingredient lists.
The Ripple Effect of Healthier Choices
When you reduce environmental toxins for your dog’s sake, you create a healthier environment for everyone in your household. Children, who have developing systems and spend time on the floor, particularly benefit from these changes.
Additionally, choosing less toxic products sends a market signal that consumers want safer options, potentially driving broader changes in manufacturing practices.
The More You Know
At Sundog we believe that nutrition is foundational to health, but it’s just one piece of the wellness puzzle. By expanding your awareness of problematic substances beyond just what goes in your dog’s bowl to include environmental factors, you’re embracing a more holistic approach to health for both of you.
Remember that perfection isn’t the goal. In our modern world, eliminating all toxin exposures is impossible. Instead, you’re invited to focus on reducing the overall burden on the “barrels” of both you and your dog through thoughtful choices and gradual improvements.
Your dog gives you unconditional love and companionship. By creating a healthier home environment, you’re returning that love in a powerful way that supports their wellbeing for years to come — and improving your own health in the process.
Would you like to learn more about specific non-toxic products we recommend or how to create a personalized plan for reducing environmental toxins in your home? Contact us for a wellness consultation on creating a pet-friendly, low-toxin home.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes and to help pet owners become more informed consumers.