Whether it is Christmas, holidays, or your fur baby’s birthday, beautifully wrapped gifts are a big attraction for pets. The neatly wrapped gifts lure your canine companion into swatting and chewing the ribbons and the wrapping paper.
Perhaps, you do not know that the traditional glitzy wrapping papers contain metals. As a pet parent, your dog’s safety should be your primary concern.
You can protect your fur baby from potential harm with edible wrapping papers. Haven’t heard of it before? Read along to find out about the pet-friendly edible wrapping papers.
What Is Edible Wrapping Paper for Dogs - Say No to Conventional Wrapping Paper
A gift becomes more attractive and special if it is beautifully wrapped. However, when it comes to wrapping a treat or gift for your fur companion, the glitzy wrapping papers can cause serious harm. Do you know how Christmas gift wrapping papers get their characteristic shine?
Well, these wrapping papers usually get chlorine and bleach treatment. In addition, some heavy metals are used in treating the conventional wrapping papers, including zinc, lead, copper, chromium, manganese, lead, iron, and nickel.
Eating a small piece of traditional wrapping paper may not affect your furry friend’s health. However, can you imagine the horror if he ingests an entire piece? Your pet’s body will treat it as a foreign object, and the wrapping paper may lead your dog to intestinal obstruction.
Many pet parents use these harmful papers for wrapping their pet’s gifts without realizing the consequences. You cannot stop your doggie from ripping or chewing the wrapping paper from the gifts. However, you can avoid an emergency visit to a vet with edible wrapping papers.
What is Edible Wrapping Paper for dogs Anyway?
Are you planning to throw a birthday party for your pooch on his big day? Great! However, make sure to wrap the presents and treats in an edible wrapping paper for dogs. Edible wrapping paper mimics the conventional wrapping papers in terms of appearance.
However, edible wrapping papers are a form of compressed food. Most of the edible wrapping papers for dogs are made of natural potato starch and edible natural inks. It’s important to ensure that the edible wrapping paper has AAFCO-approved flavors.
The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO) is the association that regulates the pet consumables. AAFCO with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also set compliance standards for the disclosure and labeling of many pet products.
What Stuff Is Used In Edible Wrapping Papers?
The safety of his or her pets is what every pet parent wants. The good news is that most edible manufacturers use edible wafer paper for wrapping papers. Wafer paper is the same stuff that is used for printing cartoon characters, such as Disney princesses, on cakes.
A wafer paper is essentially made of potato starch. In case you don’t know, potato starch is one of the major ingredients found in all grain-free dog feeds. It’s better to buy an edible paper made of wheat and gluten-free potato starch.
Besides potato starch, edible wrapping papers also contain edible inks (approved by the US Food and Drug Administration) and natural flavors. Some manufacturers even mix the flavorings with soybean and flaxseed oil products –particularly formulated for healthy pet coats. The additional layer of omega numbers and vitamin letters serve as the cherry on the top for your dogs.
Is Edible Wrapping Paper Safe for Your Dog?
Most of the stuff used in edible wrapping papers is AAFCO compliant and approved by the FDA. As mentioned above, the main ingredient in the edible wrapping papers for a dog is potato starch. Not to mention, potato starch is the basic ingredient in the majority of the pet products you may find in a pet store.
However, it is important to know that edible wrapping paper is neither a pet food nor a daily treat. Therefore, you cannot use edible wrapping papers as a source of nutrition for your canine companion.
Fun Fact: Edible inks are not only safe for your furry baby, but also for humans. So, putting a small piece of edible wrapping paper in your mouth may feel like licking a milk bone.
Allergy Alert
Many pets develop allergies to certain starches and grains. Perhaps, for this reason, the pet industry is moving away from grain-based foods and using potatoes as an alternative carbohydrate source.
If your pet enjoys pet feeds containing potatoes, and does not show any sign of sensitivity, then edible wrapping papers are safe.
However, if your fur baby follows a strict diet, it is better to consult your vet before offering a treat wrapped in an edible wrapping paper.
How to Wrap a Gift in Edible Wrapping Paper
Edible wrapping papers for dogs have almost the same consistency as the regular wrapping paper. However, edible wrapping paper is a little oily and more textured. When it comes to wrapping a gift or treat, edible wrapping papers are as easy as you may like.
All you have to do is crease and fold the edible wrapping paper just as you do a conventional gift-wrap. In case you don’t know, edible wrapping papers are water-soluble. Therefore, you may either lick the paper or wet your finger and rub on the edges for sticking.
You don’t even need a tape for edible wrapping papers. Just wet the edge and seal the paper. The FDA-approved flavoring is sure to entice your dog to open his gift without getting into any trouble.
The novelty of some edible wrapping papers for dogs is their biodegradability. However, it is important to know that edible wrapping papers are not suitable for wrapping boxed items. Also, don’t wrap other presents that your canine friend may not be able to bite directly.
Final Words
So, the next time you plan to surprise your canine friend with a present, make sure to wrap it in edible wrapping papers. These pet-friendly wrapping papers do not have toxic chemicals; therefore, they are safe to use and eliminate choking or intestinal obstruction hazards.