I was scrolling through social media the other day and my heart sank. Someone had posted a "cute" video of their French Bulldog gleefully chewing on a LABUBU. Not just any LABUBU, but a misshapen, brightly colored thing that was clearly a knock-off of the Monsters series. The comments were a disaster.
"OMG where can I get one for my dog?!" "I need this dog labubu!" "My pug would love this!"
I run PopNya, an online store that specializes in these figures, and I just knew I had to write this. Because I need to be crystal clear about something.
Pop Mart has never, ever made a LABUBU dog toy.
It's not a product line. It's not a secret drop. It doesn't exist.
What you're seeing in those videos, what's being sold on Amazon, Etsy, and DHGate under the search term "labubu dog toy," is a lie. They are cheap, unlicensed, and potentially dangerous fakes. And this trend is not only a problem for collectors, but it's a real risk for the very pets people are trying to treat.
My Unfortunate Experiment: Buying the Fake
I couldn't just talk about it. I had to see it for myself.
So, I did what any responsible (and slightly obsessed) seller would do. I went onto one of those giant online marketplaces and ordered a "Funny Toy Dog Blind Box Labugo Glowing Squeaky" for $8. The name itself was a red flag, but I needed evidence.
It arrived two weeks later in a flimsy, crinkled plastic bag. No box, no branding, no artist card. The moment I tore it open, the smell hit me. It was an overwhelming, industrial chemical smell, like a tire factory and cheap plastic melted together. It was the kind of smell that makes you want to wash your hands immediately.
This was my first major clue. Real Pop Mart figures have a neutral, clean scent. They smell like… well, nothing. This thing smelled like a hazard.
The "toy" itself was a sad parody of Kasing Lung's iconic design. It was made of a soft, squishy, almost greasy-feeling vinyl. The paint was sloppy, with the white of the eyes bleeding onto the "fur." The colors were garishly bright, not the carefully chosen palette of the official series. And when I squeezed it? A shrill, pathetic squeak.
This wasn't a LABUBU. This was a cheap, factory-churned squeaky toy that happened to be shaped vaguely like one.
The Real vs. The Fake: A Breakdown for Your Dog's Safety
Look, I get the impulse. LABUBU is adorable. Your dog is adorable. It seems like a perfect match. But you are not giving your dog a designer toy. You are giving it a piece of unregulated junk.
Let's break down the real differences, because this is where it gets serious.
Material & Toxicity
Real LABUBU: A genuine LABUBU from Pop Mart is made from high-quality PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and/or ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). These are hard, dense plastics chosen for their ability to hold fine detail and for their durability on a shelf*. They are collectibles, not toys meant for chewing. They undergo testing to be sold in major markets.* Fake "Dog Labubu": The one I bought was a soft, pliable vinyl. These cheap materials, especially from unregulated factories, are notorious for containing harmful chemicals like phthalates (used to soften plastic and linked to health issues) and even lead in the paint. There are no safety standards. No quality control. You have absolutely no idea what your dog is putting in its mouth.
Construction & Choking Hazards
* Real LABUBU: Many LABUBU figures are constructed from multiple, small, individually molded pieces that are then glued together. The ears, the accessories, sometimes even the limbs are separate parts. A dog's powerful jaws can make short work of that glue. An ear could pop off. A tiny accessory from a series like "The Monsters Camping" could be swallowed in an instant. These small, hard plastic pieces are a massive choking hazard. * Fake "Dog Labubu": While the fake is often molded as a single piece, it's not safe either. The soft rubber can be torn into chunks by a determined chewer. And let's not forget the squeaker. That little plastic noisemaker inside is a classic, well-documented choking hazard for dogs. If they tear the toy open and swallow it, it can easily lead to an emergency vet visit.
This isn't an exaggeration. Giving a dog either a real LABUBU or a fake one is a gamble with their health.
Real Talk: This Trend is Bad for Everyone
I'm not just being a gatekeeping collector here. This whole "dog labubu" phenomenon is genuinely damaging.
It's Bad for Your Dog. I think I've made this point clear. It's a safety risk. You wouldn't feed your dog food from an unlabeled bag you bought online, so why give them a toy with a similar lack of regulation?
It's Bad for the Collector Community. This hobby is built on the appreciation of artists like Kasing Lung. Seeing his imaginative, whimsical monster designs reduced to a cheap, crooked squeaky toy is just disheartening. It also floods the market with fakes, which can confuse new collectors. I get messages all the time from people asking if a certain keychain is real, and the proliferation of these fakes makes it harder for everyone. If you're new to collecting, figuring out what's legit can be tough, and these fakes don't help. We even have a whole guide on spotting fake Labubu keychains because the problem is so widespread.
It's Bad for You. You're supporting businesses that steal intellectual property. You're getting a shoddy product. And you're putting your beloved pet in harm's way for a fleetingly "cute" video. It's just not worth it.
So, What Can You Do? (The Safe & Fun Alternatives)
Okay, so I've told you what not to do. But what if you genuinely love both LABUBU and your dog and want to celebrate that? Here are some much better, safer alternatives.
1. Keep Them Separate (The Collector's Way). This is the simplest answer. Your LABUBU collection belongs on a shelf, in a display case, or somewhere safe where it can be admired. Your dog belongs on the floor, the couch, or in your lap. Take photos of your dog sitting near your collection. It's just as cute and infinitely safer.myshopify.com/blogs/labubu/the-unspoken-truth-about-the-labubu-case-a-collectors-confession) to keep them pristine and out of paw's reach.
2. Buy Official, Pet-Safe Merch (If It Exists). While Pop Mart doesn't make dog toys, sometimes artists collaborate on other items. A pillow, a blanket, a tote bag. These aren't chew toys, but they are ways to bring the aesthetic into your home in a safer way. You can also find tons of cool, official Labubu accessories for yourself, not your pet.
3. Get Creative with Fan Art. This is my favorite option. Commission an artist on Etsy or Instagram to draw a portrait of your dog alongside LABUBU! Or design a custom dog tag with a little monster on it. You can even get creative with things like Labubu stickers to decorate their food bin or leash holder. This way, you're supporting independent artists and getting something truly unique and personal, without any safety risks.
4. Find a Real Dog Toy with a Monster Vibe. There are dozens of reputable pet brands that design high-quality, durable, and safe monster-themed toys. Brands like BarkBox, ZippyPaws, and Kong make creative and weird-looking creatures that are actually designed to be chewed on. Go support them! You'll get a better, safer product, and your dog will be just as happy.
Our Take
As someone who runs PopNya, I get asked about the `dog labubu` thing more and more. My answer is always the same, and it's the official policy of our store: we will never, ever stock them. We will never link to them. They are fakes, they are potentially dangerous, and they go against everything we love about this hobby, the artistry, the quality, and the community.
This isn't about being an elitist collector who thinks their toys are too precious. It's about respecting the artist's original creation and, far more importantly, it's about basic pet safety. A real LABUBU is a small piece of art. It's not designed to be covered in drool and torn to shreds by a playful canine.
If you're looking to start your own collection, for yourself, to display on a shelf, we'd be thrilled to help you find the real deal. You can browse our LABUBU collection and see the incredible detail and quality for yourself. Your dog can supervise from the couch. That's a win-win.
So please, the next time you see a "labubu dog toy" on social media, you'll know the truth. Maybe even drop a comment to help educate the owner. Let's keep our collections pristine and, more importantly, our furry friends safe and sound.
Disclosure: PopNya may earn a commission if you purchase through links on this page.
