Painted Ceremic bowls - Poison to dogs-

[borzoimom]

Yea- if we use ceremics they are made in the US or Canada.

[Catsnclay]

I have been in the pottery business for the last 30 + years and this is one of those "old wives tales" that pop up now and then.


Let me see if I can straighten this out for everyone. Ceramics - earthenware, stoneware & porcelian are completely SAFE. We have strick regulations that we MUST meet if we sell/make anything in the ceramic world. All clays and glazes, if used properly are completely safe. The dinnerware you eat off of every night....safe. The coffee/tea you drink in the am, perfectly safe.

Now, the ceramic you must be aware of is some of the stuff made in China and Mexico. They sometimes do not fire the clay to the correct tempature, and the glazes they use are known to have some lead in them, BUT......it would take years, and years of eating & drinking off of these before anything would happen to you.

I suggest strongly if you are going to buy any type of ceramics at a dollar store or from foriegn countries, to go and buy a lead kit - yes they are out there. It is a little paper stick that you put on the said piece with water (I believe) and if it turns a specific color it either does or does not have lead. Very simple.

Buy your ceramics from stores & people you trust (sorry, I don't trust dollar store ceramics at all!) Yes, the local potters at craft fairs are safe - we have to be or we would all be out of business.

If anyone has any more questions about ceramics, please feel free to PM me, I will be happy to help.

Bunny

[borzoimom]

Bowls in the US are safe. I totally agree! If I use ceremic bowls they are made in the US.
BTW- I use to do ceremics too Catsnclay... Thats pretty cool!!!

[Lady's Human]

Then why, praytell, did you post the urban legend that they are poison to dogs?

[cassiesmom]

But what about ceramics made in Mexico? I've read that Mexican made ceramics are the ones that can carry lead and there are kits that allow you to test for lead content before you use them for food. (Where I read it was in the Frugal Gourmet's cook books.) Cassie Cat's bowls are glass and her water dish is plastic because she's such a fussbudget - I'm just asking about ceramics in general.

[borzoimom]

But what about ceramics made in Mexico? I've read that Mexican made ceramics are the ones that can carry lead and there are kits that allow you to test for lead content before you use them for food. (Where I read it was in the Frugal Gourmet's cook books.) Cassie Cat's bowls are glass and her water dish is plastic because she's such a fussbudget - I'm just asking about ceramics in general.

I have heard that too but I really do not follow anything with that. It was just easier to use metal bowls and be done with it..

[Catsnclay]

Mexico does not care about it's citizens....truly. Lead based paints (for ceramics and wall paint) is allowed in Mexico (and some other countries). The stores "should" have something on the ware that say "Not for food use" or "For dectorative use only" but sadly they don't. ( Usually your local dollar stores - remember you get what you pay for!)

If you buy ceramics from a well known store, you will not have this problem -

Ceramics are completly safe for human & animal consumption - even with COLOR on or in it!!!!


(shesh- this reminds me of the "Swiffer" email that went around - and apparently is still going around )

[Vela]

I use stainless steel bowls for the food and plastic waterers with the jug on top, for water (previously used plastic bowls for water as well). Haven't had a problem with that yet. Haven't ever used ceramic dishes for either food or water, and I don't put food in plastic.