So, let's dive deeper together.
Let's Talk About Wunderballs - Are They Safe?
Wunderballs are bouncy rubber balls that are advertised as great for tough chewers. I purchased three XL balls at $17/each (yeah, that's expensive) as another fun toy to bring into the house. When I shared my find on social media, I was surprised by the reaction.
- these are probably made in China?
- these are toxic to dogs
- I would never buy these for my dogs
- I would never recommend these for dogs
- dogs and humans are allergic to these balls
- my dogs shredded one
I'd like to clarify some misconceptions. First, I went to Mr. Google to ask for more information about Wunderball and was stunned by the lack of information - lots of vague statements. Nothing that got to the bottom of my questions.
1. Made in North America - these balls are NOT made in China; they are made in America. But what does this really mean? When we ask for country of origin, we're not just asking about where the product was made. We also want to know the sourcing of the materials.
I scoured their website and the Internet and couldn't find any details beyond that their products are handmade in North America. The material is the left over from the leashes the company makes; instead of throwing away the scraps, they used them to make the balls - hence all the colors.
2. Toys are Toxic to Dogs - these balls are made from natural rubber, which I learned is another name for "latex." People and dogs can have a latex allergy. This can pop up immediately or it can develop over time after repeated exposure. We aren't allergic to latex and, after years of playing with ChuckIt balls (also made from latex), we're comfortable that our dogs don't have a latex allergy either.
The colors are made from natural, pet safe dyes. But, I don't have the sourcing or manufacturer information, so I'm choosing to trust the company until I learn better. There are so many dog toys in this house that are dyed that I think we'd noticed an issue - stuff toys (dyed fabrics), ChuckIt balls (that orange and blue didn't come naturally), and more.
3. Are these Really Tough Toys - I've learned that whether or not a dog toy is "tough" depends on the dog. I've watched Rodrigo shred toys that came with a guarantee that it was indestructible. And I've seen him be gentle with a dog toy that he could shred in seconds. It just depends. So while a brand can make all kinds of claims about their products; we have to be realistic about our dogs' chomping powers.
My Initial Thoughts about Wunderball
I've been waiting for an XL ball to land in my local pet store for so long that I purchased without diving deep into this toy. But I'm thankful to have an opportunity to do that now and, so far, I'm happy with the balls.
What I Like about the Wunderballs
The boys in the house get a kick out of the bouncy ball. Zoey has never shown an interest in dogs, stuffed toys are more her speed. They played with it off and on the first 24 hours we had it in the house (I purchased these last Wednesday).
I purchased three XL balls and was surprised to find that they have some heft to them and are surprisingly loud when bouncing. I thought it might unnerve the dogs, but they were here for it. I've been playing soccer with Scout and Apollo. Rodrigo likes to lay next to his ball.
I'm excited to try it out in the yard. The colors will keep us from losing it and since it floats, Scout can take it in the pond this summer.
What I Don't Like about the Wunderballs
The lack of information online about their products was astounding. I can't tell you the number of websites I combed through to find out where they source their materials and the brand of dye used in their leashes and balls.
I finally sent an email to them with my questions. I'll use their answers to add a more thought out blog post on KeepTheTailWagging.com.
PRO TIP: If you have a trusted local pet store and you're curious about a product, ask the pet store owner or manager. There are three local pet stores I love and I've always been impressed that the management puts a lot of thought into the products they plan to carry and those they pass by. So, take advantage of that local knowledge to make better purchasing choices.
Are Latex Dog Toys Dangerous?
If you ask Mr. Google about dangerous dog toys, you're going to find several websites that will leave the impression that all dog toys are dangerous and, to be honest, that's not wrong. Every toy has the potential to be dangerous - it just depends on the dog and the toy.
When it comes to latex dog toys, this is what I learned...
According to WagWalking.com, "Natural rubber products are created using the sap of the rubber plant (Hevea brasiliensis). Although anaphylactic shock is a relatively common reaction in humans, it seems to be less common in canines. Repeated exposure over time increase this
risk."
There are many dog toys that are made of natural and synthetic rubber (latex). But just because they're on store market shelves doesn't make them safe for your individual dog - that's a determination that each pet parent needs to make on their own.
What About the Chemicals?
I have a question into the brand about any chemicals made in the creation of their balls. Whether it be to soften the balls to make them more pliable or just in the manufacturing.
There are several chemicals that popped up as I was researching the safety of latex dog toys, including phthalates, bisphenol A, lead, chromium, and melamine.
In large amounts (or with repeated exposure), these chemicals can be dangerous for our dogs. But what does "large amounts" and "repeated exposure" mean?
How Can We Know for Sure?
Since it doesn't seem that anyone is minding the store (i.e., no one is testing these products to make sure they're safe), it's up to the individual pet parents to do their own research and testing. I don't plan to send a ball off to a laboratory any time soon, but I am curious what the results will be if I do have these balls tested.
Symptoms of a Latex Allergy
There are many signs that a dog has a latex allergy. The ones that popped up immediately is itching and hair loss. Because we're talking about a dog toy, we'll see this around their mouths and possibly on their paws.
Final Thoughts (for now) on Wunderball
As long as my dogs are playing with these toys safely, then I'm okay with them. We have a basket full of dog toys made from various materials and a separate basket filled nearly to the top with ChuckIt balls (also made from natural rubber). So, I'm not worried that the Wunderballs will make my dogs sick. However, I am thankful to the
information because (1) it puts me on alert in case something comes up and (2) I sent an email full of questions to the brand let's see if they respond.
A few more dog toys we have in the house that are made from rubber include the following...
