Poison Pets (Zhu Zhu)

[TupperMom7]

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,579551,00.html

Exactly when was it that we all decided to blow off the concept of teaching our children responsibility by acquiring an actual pet? When did we decide that it was ok to call a piece of plastic trash out of China a "pet", even though it is inanimate and requires nothing from us?

Perhaps you do not remember Neo Pets? I'm not sure if they are still around or not, but when my daughter had one she really got into taking care of it. If you didn't "feed" it, it would die, etc. So I had to take it to work with me. When it beeped, I'd take it out of my purse and "feed" it or whatever it needed and then stick it back in my purse. The responsiblity was dauntingAfter a day or two of that, I told her it just was not going to work out and I'm not sure what happened - if it died or she took it to school.


I'm sure that children and adults all know the difference between a live animal and a toy. They are not interchangeable just because a toy is called a "pet", we all know they are not alive, but pretend. The batteries die and so does the toy. From what I've seen of some pet owners, they should have gotten the battery operated kind.

 

[CinRell]

I'm vice president of a puppy mill rescue in Ohio. My niece and nephew attend events with me time to time at age 2 and 6. They help care for foster dogs who need socialization (only the safe tested ones obviously).. they know how to ask to pet an animal, how to do so, how to safely play with ALL animals (obviously I'm an animal lover), how to feed and care for an animal...

I got them each a zhu zhu pet for Christmas. I assure you.. donating countless hours, sweat and tears and money into this rescue, my kiddos who I purchased these for are VERY educated both hands on and off about the proper care for an animal.

The author of the article lost a lot of people who might've been interested in the warning with such ignorant remarks. I actually came on this board to see what others thought of the accusations of the unsafety of the Zhu Zhus because I was a bit concerned yet skeptical of their validity. After reading what the author said, I"m leaning strongly twd keeping the zhu zhus for the kiddos!

 

[CinRell]

From what I've seen of some pet owners, they should have gotten the battery operated kind.

AMEN to this statement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[summerrluvv]

Did anyone look at the links the OP posted? They were posting the article from one of the links...not their personal opinion. I think the OP was just trying to make everyone aware that the pets could be harmful.

EXACTLY! People need to read.

I've heard about the toxic materials in them so now I'm on the fence about not giving my DD the one I have for xmas.

 

[Juliee8]

I also bought some of these to give to my kids for Christmas. I am now rethinking that and will wait and see what the final report is. I also wanted to say that antimony can also be found in flame resistant bedding and pj's.

 

[plummer925]

OP - I agree with you!!!

 

[WeDisney4]

"Babies!" Our DDs each have a baby! Doll.

 

[lattemomof3]

Any more info on the supposed poison of the Zhu Zhu's? I got my 3 kids each a Zhu Zhu, and a bunch of accessories, but I will return them if there is any truth to this. There have been many toys from China deemed dangerous for kids to play w/ bec. of lead or other substances. I take this seriously also. I think my kids would have a blast playing w/ these, but I need to know they are safe 1st.

 

[Schachteles]

I also bought some of these to give to my kids for Christmas. I am now rethinking that and will wait and see what the final report is. I also wanted to say that antimony can also be found in flame resistant bedding and pj's.

EXACTLY and remember ALL kids pj's are flame retardant!! And think about how much kids (little kids) chew on their clothes.

I am personally not concerned...my kids are well beyond the chewing stage. I am with CinRell's mom who thinks someone didn't get the Zhu Zhu's they wanted and are upset.

 

[Schachteles]

Any more info on the supposed poison of the Zhu Zhu's? I got my 3 kids each a Zhu Zhu, and a bunch of accessories, but I will return them if there is any truth to this. There have been many toys from China deemed dangerous for kids to play w/ bec. of lead or other substances. I take this seriously also. I think my kids would have a blast playing w/ these, but I need to know they are safe 1st.

It is amazing the amount of "toxic toys" out there. I just got a notice in the mail from Mattell is still dealing with their lawsuit for bad toys, so it is everywhere!

 

[Va-bear]

While I am taking the posibility that the toys may be hazardous seriously (I work in an environmental health dept and think too many people ignore risk when they find dont find it convenient ...), I will wait for more info before I decide about them. But, I also dont think my "pet" rock of 30+ years ago hurt my love of animals (we have many REAL pets), joy of taking a hike in nature, nor my ability to use my imagination.

 

[True North]

I'm a bit confused, there are a lot of stuffed animals of cats and dogs that kids play with. Is the anger over the fact that these have the word "Pet" in the name?

When I was a child in the 80's I had a "My Pet Monster" doll. No one in my family, including my younger siblings, confused him with a real pet. When we took family pictures the dog was invited in the photo, however My Pet Monster was not. While my parents could have bought me a real monster, it was both easier, and more fun to own this stuffed doll instead.

 

[Purseval]

Wow OP...it is just a toy...breathe!

I have a better idea...learn to read. Neither of those articles have my name on them, they are links I posted.

Did anyone look at the links the OP posted? They were posting the article from one of the links...not their personal opinion. I think the OP was just trying to make everyone aware that the pets could be harmful.

At least one person gets it.

 

[CinRell]

I have a better idea...learn to read. Neither of those articles have my name on them, they are links I posted.



At least one person gets it.

In all fairness your original post did NOT look to be a quote from an article and those who do not prefer to click on links would have no idea you were quoting an article and not following up on what you read with your thoughts. The quote was neither in quotations, italicized nor given credit aside from the link (which not all of us can click)....

As a journalist (and a person who knows the proper way to note that something is a quote)... I think your statement of "learn to read" goes along with the voice of the original "quote" that you put in your OP.... judgmental and rude.

 

[okeydokey]

I have a better idea...learn to read. Neither of those articles have my name on them, they are links I posted.



At least one person gets it.

Kind of hard to tell with the way it was posted. Learn to lighten up.

 

[Planogirl]

A reporter on one of the morning shows said that the recommended level of this substance is actually 1/10 of what is considered harmful and in this case the highest level claimed would still be WAY below harmful. If true, I can't see how these things could hurt anyone.

 

[rentayenta]

Fox news.

 

[luvmy3]

This was posted on another board I frequent. Cepia has madepublic their test results.

http://www.zhuzhupets.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=41:newscorrection

 

[jacksmomma]

I have a better idea...learn to read. Neither of those articles have my name on them, they are links I posted.

No I did not read your links, just the text that was in your original post. However if your goal was truly just to inform the masses of the potential problem with the toy you could have chosen articles with just factual information and not so many opinionated statements. I stand by my original comment...to the author of the statements from your original post and others who agree with them...it is just a toy! If it is truly dangerous that is one thing, but if you are debating the intellectual possibility of the toy, let me be an informed consumer for my child.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Wow, OP, thanks for the warning! This could signal the end of humanity!

Zhu zhus replace our pets....

Other "toys" replace our husbands/boyfriends...

Dolls replace our children...

THE END OF THE WORLD!!!