Disclaimer: The toy in this post was provided by West Paw, but we only share products we have tried and believe in. West Paw is not responsible for the contents of this post; all opinions are our own. This post does also contain affiliate links*. If you order through those links, we will receive a small commission – and greatly appreciate your support.
Thankful for Safe, Quality Dog Toys
With so many big pet product companies out there only looking out for their bottom line, it is refreshing to us to have companies like West Paw who care about making safe, non-toxic toys for dogs and cats right here in the USA. They know how much dogs love tennis balls, but that those balls can be made with toxic glues and fuzz that can chewed off and eaten (that was our late golden retriever Sheba’s favorite thing to do with fuzzy balls!). West Paw came up with the new Rando ball as part of their Zogoflex Echo collection, along with the Zwig which you saw here previously. These toys are soft and squishy and have a hollow core. They last a long time, unlike other balls that can be easily destroyed. Luke has destroyed many a ball in his time, and finding balls that he liked but didn’t destroy could be challenging!
Thankful that Luke has a Ball He Can Enjoy Playing With
Longtime readers know that our late beagle Cricket was addicted to playing ball, and she ruled the games. For over 13 years we threw balls almost every day (in the older days it was the original West Paw Zogoflex Huck and Jive), and she would bring them back. Luke may be a Labrador retriever mix, but fetch is not really in his repertoire of games. He prefers to play keep away, and his favorite thing to do when keeping the ball away from us is to chew, chew, chew on the ball. He absolutely loves the the squishy new Rando ball, and I love that it is easy on his teeth. Eventually he’ll stop his chewing and let me take the ball and throw it again. He’ll chase and retrieve it, but then take it off to his favorite places (under the tree if we’re outside, in his crate or on our bed when we’re inside).
The ball is lightweight and bounces well when tossed (too well inside the house sometimes!!). It has now become our nightly routine to play with the Rando ball, and that makes me very happy. It takes away a bit of the sting of not having Cricket to rule the ball games anymore, and of Luke also no longer having his sister Sheba to play with (she is the one who taught him keep away!) It also gets him some extra exercise every day. I can play with him while doing other things, stopping whatever it is momentarily to toss the ball out the door or down our hallway.
Not only does West Paw care about our pets and keeping them healthy and happy, they care about the environment too, using durable, safe materials that are 100% recyclable (Zogoflex can literally be recycled over and over forever). Zogoflex toys are also dishwasher safe and they float for fun water play! Rando comes in small* and large* sizes that fit into ball throwers.
Have you and your dog discovered the joys of West Paw Zogoflex yet?
Thank you to our friends at Brian’s Home for hosting the Thankful Thursday blog hop! Please visit other blogs through the links below.
I need to find one of these in a store so I can look at it up close. Hollow things often don’t last more than a few minutes with Rye’s jaws of steal—one of our treat balls is always flattened and I have to stick my fingers in to pop it back up so Barley can actually roll it around. Rye loves to chase balls and then bring them in the house to chew on them and West Paw toys are her favorites, so I guess it’s time for me to quit shopping online and go track one down!
I think this one might work for her? Luke has been chomping on this a lot, but hasn’t found any way to get a dent in it so far!
I’m so jealous! I wish my dogs–any of my dogs– would play fetch or with a ball. Luke’s a great dog!
Most of our dogs have been fetchers; but it was always surprising to me that our beagle Cricket enjoyed it the most. Our other beagle, Kobi, wanted nothing to do with a ball, or any toys really after he got older.
I don’t know what to do with myself if I don’t have a dog to play fetch, or at least some sort of ball play, with!
Your gonna have loads of fun with that ball.
It will get a lot of use, that’s for sure – it already has!
Luke has that “throw it already” look. Looks like a cool toy.
He thinks Momz needs to learn to take photos faster. LOL.
That sounds like the perfect toy for Luke! I’m glad that you’re all having fun with it!
Glad Luke has a fun and safe toy 🙂
looks like fun!
We love West Paw toys and need a new ball sooo…
This might be the one!! 🙂
Luke is really enjoying his new ball. 🙂
We are big fans of West Paw products, and this looks like a winner!
They keep coming up with new things! We have quite a collection of their toys, especially the balls.
I’d love it if these were lighted. With Delilah’s sight failing, a light up or glow in the dark ball would be great for those times when she WANTS to fetch. 🙂
I love West Paw products.
That would be great for Delilah. I’m pretty sure that West Paw makes a glow in the dark disc, so I’m surprised they haven’t done that with balls yet.
What is it about our Lab mix dogs – your Luke and my Ducky – that they prefer “keep away” to “fetch”? 🤔🤪
I don’t mind. A little game of chase now and then is good exercise for me, too. And, oh! that focus! We need to figure out a way to bottle it!
You’re right about that!
I definitely get my exercise chasing Luke too. Sometimes in the evenings I’m tired and it’s all I can do to get up the energy to do so though! LOL
yes… he sure was ready for the throw… his eyes and his body showed 100% concentration, what a sports start you are Luke
When he is focused on something, he gives it his all!
We got the Zwig and Bailie likes that toy. None of us are into balls at all. Looks like Luke enjoys it.
Our beagle Kobi had no interest in balls either. I think Luke just loves them because his sisters taught him to! 🙂
He loves it. We were in Bozeman last week, and while walking Torrey one morning, I realized we were down the road from West Paw. That was fun to see their company.
That’s so cool! I thought of the company when I read that you were in Bozeman.
It’s so wonderful to see Luke having such a fun time with that new ball. Brother Simon would chase that ball too. Thanks for joining the Thankful Thursday Blog Hop!
Maybe they should start making Zogoflex toys for cats too!