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We worry about toxic chemicals affecting our children, our homes and ourselves, but how about our furry friends?

A study by the Environmental Working Group , called “The Pets for the Environment” project, looked at 43 different chemicals and their impact on pets. According to the EWG website, 

“The Pets for the Environment project was launched in early 2008 when Eddie the dog joined forces with the scientists at Environmental Working Group. Nonstick chemicals from a frying pan had killed Eddie's friend Feathers, so Eddie wanted to know what toxic chemicals he and his feline pal Cleo were also exposed to.The study found that dogs and cats had comparable levels to humans in some chemicals, and even higher levels than humans in others.”

The three groups of toxic chemicals with extremely high concentrations were fire retardants, stain and grease resistant chemicals (i.e. teflon), and phthalates (from plastic). These chemicals have been shown to cause high rates of several kinds of cancer in dogs.

So how can you keep your pet safe?

The EWG recommends the following simple steps to reduce your pooches exposure to these dangerous chemicals:

-Choose pet food without the chemical preservatives BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin, vary cats’ diets to limit their exposure to mercury in seafood, and choose organic or free-range ingredients rather than “by-products.”  

-Use a reverse osmosis, faucet-mounted, or pitcher filter to remove contaminants before filling your pet’s water bowl. 

-Replace older foam pet bedding, and replace or reupholster furniture with exposed or crumbling foam where flame retardants are found. 

-Vacuum often with a HEPA-filter vacuum, and take off your shoes at the door to minimize your pets’ exposure to toxic chemicals in house dust. 

-If you suspect your deck was made with arsenic-treated wood, treat it with a sealant every six months and don’t let pets play or sleep underneath it. Wash with mild soap and water, but never power wash! 

-Don’t get optional stain-proof treatments on couches, carpets and car upholstery— they’re loaded with toxic perfluorochemicals. 

 -Avoid nonstick pans. An overheated nonstick pan can kill pet birds, and it gives off chemicals that may be bad for other pets and people too. Try cast iron instead. 

-Care for your lawn without using insecticides, which may cause nervous system damage in pets that walk on the treated lawn, eat the grass, or breathe in the chemicals. 

-Use kitty litter made of plant sources like wheat or recycled newspaper. Clay-based kitty litter is strip-mined, causing extreme environmental damage during extraction. 

-Get biodegradable, compostable doo-bags for when you go on walks with your