When I first adopted Luna, I was a bit perplexed. EVERY. SINGLE. toy I brought home would be de-squeakered, unstuffed, and shredded within what seemed like seconds. I didn’t want to deprive her of having toys to play with, but I also couldn’t afford to buy a new toy for her every day. And so, I sought out to find some more durable toys that would help supplement “play time” with those soft, squeaking toys.
I also started to work with Luna to not destroy toys as soon as I brought them home. It took time, but eventually she picked up on it! Now she really only destuffs a toy when she wants attention. It’s her way to say “Look at me! Play with me!”
One of the very first brands I stumbled upon was West Paw. I had heard numerous raving reviews for their durable toys from friends and fellow pet bloggers, so I went ahead and ordered Luna a Tux and Hurley despite initially thinking that they were a bit pricey compared to what I had been buying. Guess what? We still have those two toys today. The near indestructibility of the toys (made with the proprietary plastic blend called Zogoflex®) has allowed my dogs to regularly play with them over the past 4 years and made my then $30 investment well worth it.
And that is why I’m am so thrilled to have West Paw as our sponsor for Day 8 of the 2017 Stocking Stuffer Giveaways. These guys are constantly coming up with new innovative ways to bring durable toys to dogs who love (maybe a bit too much) to rough house. This year they launched two new fun lines of durable dog toys – the Qwizl and Rowdies™. And guess what? We’re giving away TEN Rowdies™ to lucky readers. Keep on reading to learn more about why investing in quality made dog toys makes sense and to enter to win!
Why I Invest in Quality Made Dog Toys
Made in the USA
While I’m not trying to say that there are no good things made outside of the States, I do absolutely see if as a benefit. By supporting American made products, you are also supporting the economy much closer to home (if you’re from the US that is!) I personally love that West Paw’s owner and CEO, Spencer Williams, made the decision to keep manufacturing in his home state of Montana rather than outsourcing to Asia, which probably would have been cheaper. Instead he and all of West Paw are investing in local talent!
Eco-Friendly & Sustainable
I’m always happy to support a company that cares about the environment and shows it by incorporating sustainable practices and producing eco-friendly products. We all have to live in this world, so we should take care of it – personally AND commercially. West Paw has a Join the Loop® program, which allows their Zogoflex® dog toys to be infinitely recycled. They also work with eco-friendly materials whenever possible. Examples include stuffing made from recycled bottles, plastic made from old chew toys, and organically-grown hemp, cotton, and catnip. They also carefully cut all their bedding fabric and use scraps to make toys. All of these steps help eliminate the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
Safe and Non-Toxic
Toys that are made with higher quality materials are inherently safer. It also shows that the manufacturer is invested in the enjoyment and quality of life of their furry clients! Cheaper toys are often produced en masse to flood the market without much thought about whether they will be enjoyable or safe. For example, Zogoflex® is completely non-toxic, BPA and Phthalate-free, Latex-free, and even FDA compliant (Yes, that means they are deemed safe enough to eat off of!) This is super important because dogs mostly use their mouths during play time with a toy.
Long Lasting
Generally quality made toys will last longer. It doesn’t mean that they are indestructible, but it means that more attention and care is given to the materials used and the process of making the toys. Fabric may be thicker and stitches sturdier. Toys that cost a few bucks usually only last a week or so in my house. They are easy to tear apart and so Luna does just that. I may pick these toys for seasonal or holiday surprise because they’re cute, but for long term toys I always choose a higher quality product.
A Guarantee or Warranty
Many companies that produce high quality products are so proud of what they make that they guarantee them and some even have a lifetime warranty. When you are paying the premium for a quality dog toy, keep that in mind. You aren’t just paying for the toy this week, but actually for a lifetime! Investing $20-30 in a toy today that will last a lifetime, is a lot cheaper over time than a $50-10 toy every month for life.
West Paw offers a lifetime guarantee to all Zogoflex® toys and pet beds. In addition to that, they have a Love It Guarantee™ for every product they manufacture. If you are unhappy with a West Paw product, they will replace or refund your purchase. To me, this surely shows how confident they are in the durability and safety of their products!
Designed to Be Fun
Companies that produce higher quality toys are more likely to be constantly innovating and designing new toys to meet a specific purpose. Whether it’s durability, interactivity, or some other need in the pet market, these toys are going to be well thought out and designed. They may even be put through numerous rounds of testing BEFORE they make their way to your local pet store. If you buy from a company like this, then you know your pet will be sure to enjoy and benefit from their experience with the toy. I think West Paw’s motto couldn’t say it any better “Made by US. Designed for the love of pets and the planet®.”
About West Paw Rowdies™
West Paw was came to be in 1996 when Spencer Williams purchased a small pet toy company In Montana. Now 20 years later, you can still find West Paw manufacturing pet toys in Bozeman, Montana.
Recently West Paw launched a new line of toys called Rowdies™. These furry and kind of goofy looking toys were built with rowdy dogs in mind. They are quirky, weird, and too cute for words. Each one of these toys is designed so that pups can play a their own unique way. Whether they like bouncing, chewing, flopping, flying, cuddling, shaking, tugging, or some other action verb, there is a Rowdies™ for you pup!
When picking out the perfect Rowdies™ toy for your dog, you can choose from 6 different options. We were lucky enough to play with Fergus, Custer, and Sanders, but you there is also Jefferson, Lincoln, and Rosebud! Each one is available in three colors – Orange, Purple, and Pewter.
Each Rowdies™ toy is made with HardyTex™ fabric that is specifically designed, developed, and tested for toughness over hours of rough play. This fuzzy fabric is reinforced with a mesh backing for extra durability! These fun toys also feature designated “chew zones” made of West Paw’s durable Zogoflex® material. You can find these zones (or nubs as I like to call them) on the extremities of each Rowdie!
If you want to learn more about West Paw, be sure to follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! Don’t forget to check out their website too.
TEN lucky Beagles & Bargains readers will receive a West Paw Rowdies™!
Residents of the United States and Canada (except Quebec) are eligible to enter via the Rafflecopter below. Entries must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on Friday, December 22, 2017. Winners will be notified via email within 48 hours of the giveaway closing and will have 48 hours to respond and claim their prize.
Ten (10) winners will receive one (1) Rowdies™ toy. Winners will be able to select the size and color of the toy pending availability. Winners can choose from Fergus, Jefferson, Lincoln, Sanders, Custer, and Rosebud in Orange, Pewter, or Purple. Estimated value is up to $30.
Don’t forget to check out our Holiday Guide!
And don’t miss any of the 14 Stocking Stuffer Giveaways!
Which Rowdies™ toy from West Paw your dog would LOVE most?
Disclaimer: West Paw Design provided product free to review. I am being compensated to help spread the word about West Paw Design. I received no other compensation or additional benefits for mentioning the brands or products in this post. The opinions and ideas in this post are my own and are uninfluenced by any other person or business. West Paw Design is responsible for all giveaway prizes including shipping.
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