We've all bought one -- perhaps the classic rolled-up newspaper or maybe the piled-high cheeseburger. Vinyl dog toys are everywhere, and many dogs love them. For starters, most of these toys squeak, a delightful quality to most canines. Soft and easy to chew, vinyl toys may seem like a great choice for playing fetch or easing the pain of puppy teething. What many pet owners don't realize, however, is that vinyl contains some dangerous chemicals.

Phthalates is an umbrella term for the additives used to make plastic soft and pliable. Even if your dog doesn't have any vinyl toys, he almost certainly encounters vinyl, also known as polyvinyl chloride (or PVC), in his everyday life. Countless items are used with this material. Flooring, shower curtains, window blinds, even sneakers are made using vinyl. It's almost everywhere.

So what's the problem with vinyl? When phthalates are added to vinyl, their molecules do not bond with the plastic. Instead, they move through the plastic freely -- this property is the very reason phthalates are so useful: they create flexibility.

Unfortunately, these chemical molecules don't just move within the plastic. They also move out of the vinyl and into the areas surrounding it. In the case of toys, this area is your dog's mouth: the gateway to the rest of his body.

Certain factors speed up the rate at which phthalates are released from vinyl. Heat (including body heat), mechanical pressure (like chewing), and liquid (such as saliva) can all increase the rate at which phthalates are released from vinyl objects. Like children, pets are virtually programmed to inspect new objects by putting them into their mouths. This makes any vinyl object your pet encounters a possible health threat.

In recent years vinyl toys made for children have come under particular scrutiny. Studies have shown that the toxins released from vinyl can damage a child's physical development. Nine major governments around the world have banned or advised against the use of vinyl in children's toys and childcare items because of this ominous data. Unfortunately, no such laws have been put in place yet to protect our pets. Want to know the scariest part? This information about the potential risk for children has been gathered by testing the effect of phthalates on animals.

The best way to protect your pet from the dangers posed by vinyl is to avoid purchasing products (either for your dog or your home) that contain PVC. Reading labels is a smart step, but the quickest way to identify a product made from vinyl is by giving it a quick sniff. If the plastic has a strong "plastic" smell, it is likely made from vinyl. Although some toys are labeled as "nontoxic vinyl" or "phthalate-free," testing has shown that even these items do indeed contain phthalates. Avoiding vinyl whenever possible is your safest bet.

Remove as many vinyl items from your home as you can. And remember to think outside the toy box. All sorts of pet products, not just toys, are made from vinyl. Pet beds, rain coats, and boots are frequently made from PVC. Many pet carriers are made from this common material, also. Replace your own vinyl raincoats with garments made from water-resistant nylon, and remember to keep your running shoes where your pet can't reach them. Even the dashboard and seats of your car may contain PVC, so consider using a towel or blanket for your pet to lie on if you take him for frequent rides, especially on hot days.

Regular cleaning and vacuuming is a great way to reduce phthalates in your home environment. Dust has been shown to contain an astounding amount of phthalates. If you can't remove all the vinyl items from your home -- and most likely you can't, clean as often as you can and limit your dog's exposure to areas of particular concern. You may not be able to completely eliminate the threat posed by phthalates, but you can certainly reduce it.

This article is provided by our friends at PetDoc, the nation's leading resource for pet care information.