Sixty-three percent of Americans own at least one companion animal, and sadly, most are virtually unprotected from toxic chemicals. A recent study published in April 2008 showed that  dogs and cats were contaminated with 48 of 70 industrial chemicals tested, including 43 chemicals at levels higher than those typically found in people. You can avoid chemicals leaching into water by not using plastic bottles. We only use stainless steel BPA FREE water bottles now for our dog walks.

In a Harvard School of Public Health study published in May 2009, BPA, the chemical used to make plastics, was found to leach from polycarbonate drinking bottles Into humans. In fact, drinking cold liquids from polycarbonate bottles for just one week increased urinary BPA levels by more than two-thirds. Exposure to BPA, used in the manufacture of polycarbonate and other plastics, has been shown to interfere with reproductive development in animals and has been linked with cardiovascular disease and diabetes in humans.

Plastic Water Bottles May Pose Health Hazard  plastic2 By Emily Sohn, Discovery News April 28, 2009 -- With all of the bad press swirling around certain types of plastic lately, regular old plastic water bottles have maintained a reputation as safe, at least as far as human health is concerned. New evidence, however, suggests that plastic water bottles may not be so benign after all. Scientists in Germany have found that PET plastics -- the kind used to make water bottles, among many other common products -- may also harbor hormone-disrupting chemicals that leach into the water. It's too soon to say whether drinking out of PET plastic bottles is harmful to human health, said lead researcher Martin Wagner, an ecotoxicologist at Goethe University in Frankfurt. But it now appears possible that some as-yet unidentified chemicals in these plastics have the potential to interfere with estrogen and other reproductive hormones, just as the infamous plasticizers BPA and phthalates do. "What we found was really surprising to us," Wagner said. "If you drink water from plastic bottles, you have a high probability of drinking estrogenic compounds." The study adds to growing concerns about products that span the plastic spectrum, added Shanna Swan, an epidemiologist at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York. "This is coming at a good time because the use of bottles for consuming water is getting very bad press now because of its carbon footprint," she said. "It's just another nail in the coffin of bottled water, the way I see it." Wagner and a colleague used genetically engineered yeast to analyze 20 samples of mineral water. Nine samples came our of glass bottles. Nine were bottled in PET plastic. And two were in cardboard, juice-like boxes. The specialized yeast -- which change color in the presence of estrogen-like compounds -- revealed estrogenic activity in seven of the nine plastic bottles (and both cardboard samples), compared with just three of the nine glass ones. Overall, Wagner said, levels of these compounds in the water were surprisingly high. German mineral water comes from natural springs. So, to see if the estrogenic compounds were actually coming from the water itself, Wagner emptied the bottles and replaced the water with a pure snail medium and a tiny species of snail that is especially sensitive to estrogenic compounds. Eight weeks later, female snails living in plastic bottles had more than twice as many embryos inside their bodies compared to the glass-grown snails. "Something from the plastic," Wagner said, "must have leached out and changed the reproductive patterns of our snails." Wagner cautions against jumping to conclusions. Water is still a healthy beverage, he said. And until the compounds at work in the snail study have been identified, it's just not possible to know if PET plastics pose a human health risk. Still, tests in his lab have shown far less estrogenic activity in tap water than in even the most "ultra-pure" bottled waters. "Having done all of these experiments, I started drinking tap water," Wagner told Discovery News. "It might have other stuff in it, but at least it doesn't have estrogenic compounds." It may also be time, Swan said, to reconsider how safe the so-called "safe" plastics really are. "I used to say: '4, 5, 1, and 2. All the rest are bad for you,'" she said, referring to the recycling codes on plastic products. "Now, I'm not saying that anymore. We don't know about 4, 5, 1, or 2. This raises questions about all plastic bottles.

H2O4K9 25-oz. Stainless Steel Dog Bottle & Bowl (with NEOSLING carrying sling)
H2O4K9 is a new 2009 team of creative professionals (all with canine companions) with backgrounds in industrial design, marketing, art and business.

They have developed the  the first stainless steel water bottle for dogs, so unique due to its lid, which was designed specifically to fit a dog’s natural drinking style.

No more searching for water.
No more "disposable" plastic water bottles.
No more drinking from your hands.
No worries about BPA, phthalates, or other harmful chemicals.

This portable dog water product is characterized by its durability, comfort and style. And, you can *Sling It & Bring It* with the cool NEOSLING, which was created to provide a comfortable and convenient way to carry your H2O4K9 water bottle wherever you go.

You’ve already got your hands full with leashes and dog toys when out with your canine companion, so this sling is a great way to carry your bottle.

With a wide, soft neoprene strap, it fits comfortably over the shoulder, without digging in or chafing. The adjustable strap allows for a custom fit to accommodate all body types.

The neoprene material in the NEOSLING insulates bottles in all seasons from heat or cold, keeping your water or beverage at the temperature you expect it to be for up to four hours.

Establishing the need
The inspiration for the H2O4K9™ water bottle came in the form of a little German Shepherd puppy named Ryder. Like most dogs, Ryder would drink just about any water he would find. After his second bout of Giardia (an illness caused by a waterborne parasite), Ryder’s family realized that there needed to be a better way to have safe, clean water on hand for their dog.

Did you know?
There was a time when it was safe for humans and dogs to drink out of clean rivers and streams, but the Giardia bacteria has been found to be in most natural bodies of water. Humans and dogs are advised not to drink stream and lake water because of illness causing Giardia, viruses, parasites and bacteria. It's important to bring bottled water for you and your dog when you are going on outings.

Salt water is also dangerous when ingested in anything more than a very small quantity, because the salt can raise blood sodium to dangerously high levels, resulting in neurological problems and even death in some cases. Dogs who drink sea or ocean water will often get sick and have loose stools.

H2O4K9 stainless steel water bottles were specifically designed for dogs to drink naturally. This dog bottle is simply perfect for the park, walks, hikes, bike rides, search & rescue, camping, vacations, beach, dog shows, and use in your car. It can get hot out there on walks, and your dog won't always have access to a reliable source of clean water along the way. Provide a safe, chemical-free alternative with this clever bottle-bowl combo.

H2O4K9's GREAT FEATURES

		18/8 Food-Grade Stainless Steel BPA Free Bottle
		Same high quality materials in brands made for humans
		Bottle lid will hold 8 1/2 fluid ounces per serving
		BPA Toxin-Free polypropylene (pp#5) lid
		Environmentally friendly paint finish
		Wide mouth to add ice cubes, easier cleaning
		Securely attached lid with easy twist top to loosen
		Lightweight and easy to carry
		Fits in cup holders, bike cages, backpacks & more
		Entire product is 100% recyclable and sustainable

Please note that the H2O4K9 water bottle cannot be frozen or the welds will break, however the wide mouthed bottle allows you to put ice in to keep the water extra cool. Also, with respect to cleaning, the wide mouthed bottle allows for simple hand washing. For best performance, we recommend washing the H2O4K9 bottle and lid by hand. Also, the neoprene slings may have an initial odor to them. We aired our sling out in the garage for a day or so to remove this.

Buy a H2O4K9 Stainless Steel Water Bottle
Bottles are priced at $15.99 for the 25oz size and $13.99 for the 9.5oz size.

Choose from these 8 H2O4K9 water bottle colors, in either 25oz or 9.5oz sizes:

Jet Black Bumble Bee Yellow Violet Tree Frog Green Racecar Red Denim Blue Baby Pink Pure Stainless

H2O4K9 Stainless Steel Water Bottle & Bowl - 25oz Select Desired Color        Bumble Bee Yellow Denim Blue Baby Pink Pure Stainless Racecar Red Tree Frog Green Jet Black Violet

H2O4K9 Stainless Steel Water Bottle & Bowl - 9.5 oz Select Desired Color            Bumble Bee Yellow Denim Blue Baby Pink Pure Stainless Racecar Red Tree Frog Green Jet Black Violet