This is not about the use of pee pads being a good idea or a bad one. This is about how many different varieties of pads are now available and what they are made of. The latter part is what I am concerned about and encourage pet parents to do a bit of investigating on their own before using them.
I want to make it clear that I am not claiming to know these products are not safe, but I am not claiming that they are safe. I simply do not know, but I need to know one way or the other. Too many years went by and too many of our precious dogs died because of unsafe products, especially food before the information was brought to the attention of the public, and steps were taken to protect our loving canine family members from ingesting toxic chemicals.
To clarify my concern, I am particularly worried about the puppies and dogs that rip the pads apart and chew or swallow them. Let’s take a look at what is out there for purchase. As far as ingredients or chemicals used in manufacturing and their safety, I found no information on the product packaging or the manufacturers selling sites including mega-size online sellers.
DISPOSABLE PADS:
When we look at the average disposable pee pad, it appears to be constructed of absorbent tissue-like paper adhered to a plastic bottom sheet. They range from 3 layers thick to 6 layers thick. The average sizes by inches range from 21 x 21 up to 36 x 48. Pretty cut and dry! Pun intended. But this is not all there is. Take a look at what a pee pad consists of.
Most of the pee pads available on the market are SUPER ABSORBENT, FLASH-DRY, LOCKS IN WETNESS, LEAK PROOF, ODOR ELIMINATING, ODOR NEUTRALIZING, etc., etc.
How do they do that? The package states that it INSTANTLY TURNS URINE INTO GEL. How do they do that? SODIUM POLYACRYLATE. That’s how! “Polymer technology “does NOT mean the plastic lining on the bottom.
Sodium polyacrylate is an absorbent polymer that can absorb up to 400 times its weight. It is found in many absorbent products, such as diapers. But children don’t ingest their diapers.
If your dog chews and swallows parts of the pee pads that contain Sodium polyacrylate, how safe is that? Are we looking at a health issue that should be addressed before it becomes a major issue? I’m trying to find answers. If you are a chemist, or have a medical, or veterinary license and can contribute information or shed light on this subject, please do.
This is a warning label from a container of Sodium Polyacrylate that is for sale online. If you can’t make out the warning label, it states:
DO NOT INGEST OR INHALE. Keep away from Babies, Children of all ages. Keep away from drains of all kinds. Not a toy! Wash hands with soap and water after use. Use eye protection. (The yellow warning sign is on the container.)
A new addition to the pee pad invasion is a CARBON-ACTIVATED pee pad. It is dark gray rather than white so it will also disguise the obvious yellow stains left by urine. Activated carbon or activated charcoal, the two terms used in marketing these pee pads, have activated my inner alarm and sent me on a mission to find out how truly safe these products are if ingested by our puppies. This is the part I’m concerned about and would like some answers to.
Once again, I ask that pet parents do some extensive research before using these products. If you are a chemist, or have a medical, or veterinary license and can contribute information or shed light on this subject, please do.
Look for follow up posts on Pee Pads.
