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We know if you could, you’d play with your pet all day long. But of course, many of us have other responsibilities, which means that sometimes, Fido has to keep himself occupied. Fortunately, there are lots of incredible interactive dog toys that can help him do just that — and experts say they’re some of the best toys on the market for both physical and mental exercise.
“As a trainer, many of the hyperactivity and destruction problems my clients struggle with can be resolved by adding mental exercise to their dog’s daily routine,” says Nicole Ellis, certified professional dog trainer and pet lifestyle expert with Rover.com. “But ‘mentally-stimulating’ activities aren’t things like chess and crossword puzzles. For a dog, it’s mostly just simple, fun games with their owner, like puzzle toys.”
To help you find the best interactive dog toys to keep your pup entertained and engaged, we asked expert trainers for their favorite picks. These fun games — from treat balls to automatic ball launchers — will keep dogs busy while boosting their mental and physical skills. Some even reward them with the best kind of prize: treats. And for even more toys your best friend will love, check out the best dog toys for all types of pups.
Article Summary
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Kong Classic
There’s a reason Kong toys are a favorite among dog trainers and owners alike. Not only do they last for years, but you can also stuff them with treats or peanut butter to keep game time going for hours.
Kong Classic Q&A
Answer: I use a small toothbrush and warm water to clean mine out, then once a week I put it in the dishwasher on the top rack. I stuff mine with tiny milk bones, peanut butter and wet kibble then freeze it. Put a small scoop of peanut butter over the hole before giving it to your dog and they love it!
Question: Does it float?
Answer: They have some that DO float. I don’t think this is one of them … although I’ve never tried it to see. Kong makes some yellow ones specifically designed for the water.
Answer: I soak kibble in water and add some baby food , like sweet potato, carrot, green bean , Sometimes I add the Kong squeeze liver to it, Or small pieces of apple, I used to add Peter Pan peanut butter to it, (its soy free and best for your dog) but my baby is allergic to PB .. opps.
I fill it mostly with wet kibble, and the few teaspoons of baby food, (or all natural apple sauce) I leave a small grain free biscuit sticking out of the end and freeze it over night and it takes him 40-60 minutes to get it all out. .. He does his thing on the sofa, I just cover it with a blanket to keep it from getting soaked.
The small one takes him 15 minutes.
I portion this with his meal to make sure I don’t over feed him.
But Kibble and Applesauce or babyfood is a inexpensive option .. the large one gives me time to catch up on laundry, dishes and a shower!!!!
I fill it mostly with wet kibble, and the few teaspoons of baby food, (or all natural apple sauce) I leave a small grain free biscuit sticking out of the end and freeze it over night and it takes him 40-60 minutes to get it all out. .. He does his thing on the sofa, I just cover it with a blanket to keep it from getting soaked.
The small one takes him 15 minutes.
I portion this with his meal to make sure I don’t over feed him.
But Kibble and Applesauce or babyfood is a inexpensive option .. the large one gives me time to catch up on laundry, dishes and a shower!!!!
Answer: Hey Tracey! Before I purchased my Kongs, I actually went to PetSmart see what size I thought would be most suitable. For a 22lb beagle, you’d probably want to go with a medium or possibly a small. I’d hate to give you inaccurate advice, so if you’re close to a PetSmart go in and look at them. Definitely purchase them off of Amazon though. I got 4 Kong toys off of Amazon for the price I would have paid for 2 at PetSmart. Good luck!
Kong Classic Reviews
iFetch Ball Launcher
Even the most energetic pet owner gets tired of playing catch around the clock. Enter iFetch: It’s pricey, but this gadget will throw your pup a ball until they physically can’t run anymore. And don’t worry about having to retrieve the balls yourself — most dogs will figure out how to bring them back and drop them into the launcher on their own.
iFetch Ball Launcher Q&A
Answer: The iFetch Too launches the ball 10, 25, or 40 feet. It’s easy to switch between those three distances by simply pressing the different buttons on the back, or you can select the variable setting to keep your pup guessing as it launches the ball at a random distance each time. Completely controlled by you!
Question: What is the warranty on the iFetch Too?
Answer: iFetch warrants to the purchaser of this product (“Customer”) that this product will be free from defects in material or workmanship, under normal use, for a period of six (6) months from the date of Customer’s receipt of the product from iFetch or its authorized reseller. The product warranty is non-transferable and shall automatically terminate if Customer resells or transfers the product.
Proof of Purchase must be provided by Customer to the iFetch Customer Care Center before a warranty claim can be honored.
Call: (512) 219-3271
Fax: (512) 345-0178
Email: [email protected]
Mail:
Attn: iFetch Customer Care Center
3250 Hatch Road
Cedar Park, Texas 78613 USA
iFetch’s sole obligation under this express product warranty shall be, at iFetch’s option and expense, to repair the defective product, deliver to Customer an equivalent product to replace the defective product, or if neither of the two foregoing options are reasonably available, iFetch may refund to Customer the purchase price paid for the defective product. All products that are replaced will become the property of iFetch.Replacement products may be new or reconditioned. iFetch warrants any replaced or repaired product for ninety days (90) days from shipment, or the remainder of the initial warranty period, whichever is longer. Defective products returned to iFetch under this product warranty may be sent either shipping prepaid or, if pre-approved by iFetch, via United Parcel Service ground transportation with shipping due (which will be paid by iFetch upon receipt), must be packaged appropriately for safe shipment and it is recommended that they be insured or sent by a method that provides for tracking of the package. Responsibility for loss or damage does not transfer to iFetch until the returned item is received by iFetch.The repaired or replaced item will be shipped to Customer, at iFetch’s expense, not later than thirty (30) days after iFetch receives the defective product, and iFetch will retain risk of loss or damage until the item is delivered to Customer.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS:
iFetch will not be liable under this limited warranty if its testing and examination disclose that the alleged defect or malfunction in the product does not exist or resulted from:
Failure to follow iFetch’s operation and maintenance instructions;
Unauthorized product alteration;
Weather conditions;
Damage to the product caused by any animal;
Abuse, misuse, negligent acts or omissions of Customer and/or persons under Customer’s control; or
Acts of third parties, acts of God, accident, fire, or other hazards.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIVE:
IF AN iFETCH PRODUCT DOES NOT FUNCTION AS WARRANTED ABOVE, CUSTOMER’S SOLE REMEDY FOR BREACH OF THAT WARRANTY SHALL BE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, OR REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID, AT iFETCH’S OPTION. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES, TERMS, OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WARRANTIES, TERMS, OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTIBILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND SATISFACTORY QUALITY, ALL OF WHICH ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. iFETCH NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY OTHER PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT ANY OTHER LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF ITS PRODUCTS.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
CUSTOMER ASSUMES ALL RISKS AND LIABILITIES FROM THE USE OR MISUSE OF THIS PRODUCT.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, iFETCH EXCLUDES FOR ITSELF AND ITS SUPPLIERS ANY LIABILITY, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGANCE), FOR INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR FOR LOSS OF REVENUE OR PROFITS, OR FOR ANY INJURY TO OR DEATH OF AN ANIMAL OR PERSON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF ITS PRODUCTS, EVEN IF iFETCH OR ITS AUTHORIZED RESELLER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. iFETCH’S SOLE LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, OR REFUND OF THE URCHASE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT, AT iFETCH’S OPTION. THIS DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IF ANY REMEDY PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL FAIL OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
DISCLAIMER:
Some countries, states, or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or the limitation of incidental or consequential damages for certain products supplied to consumers or the limitation of liability for personal injury, so the above limitations and exclusions may be limited in the application to you. When the implied warranties are not allowed to be excluded in their entirety, they will be limited to the duration of the applicable written warranty. This Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability gives you specific legal rights which may vary depending on local law.
GOVERNING LAW:
This Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, U.S.A., and by the laws of the United States, excluding their conflicts-of-law principles. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is hereby excluded in its entirety from application to this Limited Warranty. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Do not remove (or allow anybody else to remove) any product identification, copyright or other notices.
Proof of Purchase must be provided by Customer to the iFetch Customer Care Center before a warranty claim can be honored.
Call: (512) 219-3271
Fax: (512) 345-0178
Email: [email protected]
Mail:
Attn: iFetch Customer Care Center
3250 Hatch Road
Cedar Park, Texas 78613 USA
iFetch’s sole obligation under this express product warranty shall be, at iFetch’s option and expense, to repair the defective product, deliver to Customer an equivalent product to replace the defective product, or if neither of the two foregoing options are reasonably available, iFetch may refund to Customer the purchase price paid for the defective product. All products that are replaced will become the property of iFetch.Replacement products may be new or reconditioned. iFetch warrants any replaced or repaired product for ninety days (90) days from shipment, or the remainder of the initial warranty period, whichever is longer. Defective products returned to iFetch under this product warranty may be sent either shipping prepaid or, if pre-approved by iFetch, via United Parcel Service ground transportation with shipping due (which will be paid by iFetch upon receipt), must be packaged appropriately for safe shipment and it is recommended that they be insured or sent by a method that provides for tracking of the package. Responsibility for loss or damage does not transfer to iFetch until the returned item is received by iFetch.The repaired or replaced item will be shipped to Customer, at iFetch’s expense, not later than thirty (30) days after iFetch receives the defective product, and iFetch will retain risk of loss or damage until the item is delivered to Customer.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIONS:
iFetch will not be liable under this limited warranty if its testing and examination disclose that the alleged defect or malfunction in the product does not exist or resulted from:
Failure to follow iFetch’s operation and maintenance instructions;
Unauthorized product alteration;
Weather conditions;
Damage to the product caused by any animal;
Abuse, misuse, negligent acts or omissions of Customer and/or persons under Customer’s control; or
Acts of third parties, acts of God, accident, fire, or other hazards.
WARRANTY EXCLUSIVE:
IF AN iFETCH PRODUCT DOES NOT FUNCTION AS WARRANTED ABOVE, CUSTOMER’S SOLE REMEDY FOR BREACH OF THAT WARRANTY SHALL BE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, OR REFUND OF THE PURCHASE PRICE PAID, AT iFETCH’S OPTION. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, THE FOREGOING WARRANTIES, TERMS, OR CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, INCLUDING WARRANTIES, TERMS, OR CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTIBILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND SATISFACTORY QUALITY, ALL OF WHICH ARE EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMED. iFETCH NEITHER ASSUMES NOR AUTHORIZES ANY OTHER PERSON TO ASSUME FOR IT ANY OTHER LIABILITY IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF ITS PRODUCTS.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:
CUSTOMER ASSUMES ALL RISKS AND LIABILITIES FROM THE USE OR MISUSE OF THIS PRODUCT.
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT ALLOWED BY LAW, iFETCH EXCLUDES FOR ITSELF AND ITS SUPPLIERS ANY LIABILITY, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGANCE), FOR INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES OF ANY KIND, OR FOR LOSS OF REVENUE OR PROFITS, OR FOR ANY INJURY TO OR DEATH OF AN ANIMAL OR PERSON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SALE, MAINTENANCE OR USE OF ITS PRODUCTS, EVEN IF iFETCH OR ITS AUTHORIZED RESELLER HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. iFETCH’S SOLE LIABILITY SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, OR REFUND OF THE URCHASE PRICE PAID FOR THE PRODUCT, AT iFETCH’S OPTION. THIS DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY FOR DAMAGES WILL NOT BE AFFECTED IF ANY REMEDY PROVIDED HEREIN SHALL FAIL OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE.
DISCLAIMER:
Some countries, states, or provinces do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties or the limitation of incidental or consequential damages for certain products supplied to consumers or the limitation of liability for personal injury, so the above limitations and exclusions may be limited in the application to you. When the implied warranties are not allowed to be excluded in their entirety, they will be limited to the duration of the applicable written warranty. This Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability gives you specific legal rights which may vary depending on local law.
GOVERNING LAW:
This Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability shall be governed by the laws of the State of Texas, U.S.A., and by the laws of the United States, excluding their conflicts-of-law principles. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods is hereby excluded in its entirety from application to this Limited Warranty. All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. Do not remove (or allow anybody else to remove) any product identification, copyright or other notices.
Answer: I’ve had TWO of these (small) Ifetch launchers and when I put brand new C-batteries in it (ONLY BATTERIES–with no power cord) it only throws a ball 10′ and no further.
I returned the first one to the ebay seller, and this NEW unit does the same THING.
Anyone else have this problem? I bought it to use with only batteries and we’re pretty disappointed! I’d like to hear from Ifetch! If this is normal, then this should be stated in the LISTING!! AND the manual!!
Answer: Yes! We are almost ready to release the iFetch Too, the version for larger dogs. You should see it available in late September.
iFetch Ball Launcher Reviews
“We’ve purchased 4 different ball tossers and this one is head and shoulders above the others. In our case the ball size is perfect as we can use the small balls we’ve been using for some time (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087RBH8XH/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1). Our Pomeranian loves it because the size is perfect for her and it tosses the ball a good ways out so she really has to run to fetch ’em back. She’s always returned the ball to my hand for another toss, so now ALL I gotta do is get her to realize my hand is round and looks like blue colored plastic.”
“This product does just what it is suppose to do. It works fantastic and my little Doxie is in love with it! It really works! Bought a different brand and lets just say it is in the trash. Spend the extra money for this one it works great! Lots of fun for your doggie.
I would purchase it again”
“My dog who is ball obsessed loves this. I did have to place some items…plant pots in my case, around the front and sides to keep her from standing/ loading the launcher from the front/sides. This makes her load it from the back and gives time for the ball to eject.
It took about a week to train her to use it.”
“My dog loves this thing. He barks and bounces around the whole time we are playing with it.”
“Got this for my Border Collie and he’s obsessed. Freaked him out at first but now he stares at it if you even bump it, ready to go. Comes just as pictured. First setting is great for indoors. Second is a little strong. Third almost killed my boyfriend when I was testing it. Definitely best for outside 😉 The reviews are right – if the ball gets way too slobbery then it won’t shoot but that’s after quite a while, just switch to the next ball – there’s three. The machine does get tired if it goes back to back to back to back throws, but then with a 2 minute rest it’s back to full speed. Understandable issues, no biggie, love this product.”
Babble Ball
If your pup perks up every time she hears another animal on TV, she’ll get a kick out of this toy. The motion activated ball chirps, grrs, and croaks at her while she barks and chases it around.
Babble Ball Q&A
Answer: I have a 10 lb. Chihuahua-Jack Russel mix who is a very aggressive chewer. The first one I bought was a small size and she loved it. However, she could carry it in her mouth and therefore chew it. It leaves small shards of hard plastic on the ball which hurt her mouth. The next one I got was the medium size and its perfect. It drives her crazy that she can’t carry it or chew on it as easily. She still does a pretty good job of destroying it so I put it inside of socks or other toys to make it more difficult. It is by far her FAVORITE toy and will play with it for hours nonstop. I hope this helps.
Answer: This ball is a hard plastic ball not to be bounced but rolled. My dog is not blind but loves this ball and is her favorite toy. The ball does continue to make sounds for a short time after being pushed and will also makes sounds when barked at within a few inches of the ball. Hope this helps
Question: Are the batteries replaceable?
Answer: Yes but really didn’t work right after
Question: Does it take batteries?
Answer: Yes. It take three LR44 button batteries. (Under $8 for 20 and well worth it if your pets enjoy the Babble Ball as much as my dog and all his canine buddies!) Remove the two screws in the top of the ball. You can use a pair of needle nose pliers to open the battery compartment once the screws are removed. Apply gentle pressure on the pliers and pull the round cover straight out. You will be able to see the batteries once the cap is out. Easy!
Babble Ball Reviews
“Our dog loves to play with this.”
“Dog loves these balls! Have one of each kind”
“Crack ball! Our puppy goes absolutely nuts when this ball is out! We have to limit the amount of time she plays with it.”
“My puppy loves this ball. I’m going to order two more for our other dogs.”
“Its cute..but plain…ita straight hard plastic..get something with a cover on it..but it works great”
iDig
This toy is the perfect indoor solution for dogs who love to dig. Nicole Ellis says it’s one of her pup’s favorites. “I stuff it with his food, his toys, and his blankets,” she says. “Even when he’s got it all out, he keeps on digging until he falls asleep.”
iDig Q&A
Answer: We have a Dachshund and she absolutely loves it BUT she was also able to tear it apart…. in virtually no time, actually. We were quite disappointed with how easily she was able to destroy it.
Answer: Our dachshund loves it! However, the white plastic/rubber pieces that hold the different layers of fabric in place broke off. The fabric itself has held up well. Our dog still plays with it, but we can’t secure the fabric pieces in place.
Answer: The product was designed while watching a Husky puppy dig 🙂
It holds up well and gives dogs a place to dig. We have trainers who can help you teach him to dig in the iDig, not in the yard. Start with lots of praise when he digs in the iDig.
The material is very durable, and we will have flaps made of even more durable ballistic nylon
It holds up well and gives dogs a place to dig. We have trainers who can help you teach him to dig in the iDig, not in the yard. Start with lots of praise when he digs in the iDig.
The material is very durable, and we will have flaps made of even more durable ballistic nylon
Question: Will my 65-pound Husky tear it up?
Answer: I don’t know. My dog weighs about 20 lbs. Go to the vender’s website. It has a lot of information that you may be able to use.
iDig Reviews
“Seemingly indestructible, but not impossible to figure out. This enrichment toy was a hit on Christmas Day and for days after. One dog at a time here, though, ‘cuz my girl resource guards.”
“I struggle to keep my mini dachshund entertained inside since she doesn’t really enjoy fetch and she only plays with toys to destroy them. She also loves to dig. I’ve been eying this toy for a while but was unsure about the price, especially since I didn’t know if she would like it. We decided to buy it for her for Christmas and it has been an instant hit. There are numerous pockets to hide treats in, which keeps her occupied for a good amount of time. I can tell it tires her out because when she’s done finding all the treats, she goes to lay down and take a nap. We’re truly pleased at how much she loves this toy! I don’t know if I recommend the toy for a larger dog or a really strong chewer (our doxie does like to chew but I wouldn’t say she’s a strong chewer, just a determined one). The flaps might get torn easier with a more aggressive chewer, but I can’t be sure. They do seem durable, and the iFetch website (the company who makes the toy) has flaps for sale individually in case something rips. Overall, extremely happy with this toy!”
“It works awesome she dig!! you can hide treats in it love it except that the accessibility to the inner structure that stretches it is covered in plastic and she can get to it and will eventually chew it up it should be secured inside the bottom area, but it’s not”
“We have a very energetic 8month old GR in an apartment (no garden) and decided to get her idig to see if it’ll keep her entertained. I was a little hesitant because of the price but it’s worth it. She loves it. Literally started digging in it the second we got it out of the box and it will keep her busy for half an hour uninterrupted, which is a win with this furball. Not only does she dig for treats but she also tries to hide her treats that she gets from us in there. Funny to watch. Goes through a little tantrum every time she can’t get out the awesome smelling yum yums 🤩 so, our dog definitely gives it 5 stars 💫✨💫🔝”
“It didn’t stop her from digging in the garden but it is a nice toy. She can dislodge the fabric folds that hold the treats but it is simple to slot them back in. She can get the treats right away so I have to curb it because I don’t want her to eat too many treats. She stops using it right away when I don’t load it with treats.”
Aïkiou Feeder and Playset
The Aïkiou feeder requires pups to think hard in order to open its compartments for treats and kibble. Certified professional dog trainer Russell Hartstein, founder of Fun Paw Care Dog Training in Los Angeles, says that’s a good thing. “[Most] healthy animals would rather work for their food than simply be given it in a bowl,” he says.
Aïkiou Feeder and Playset Q&A
Answer: Oooh… good question. Probably, but my dogs have snouts so it is easy for them to use. I have a pit bull and a chow . the “finger” compartments are approx. 2″ x 2″ and about 2″ deep. the compartments in the middle are a tad larger. I also have another dish that looks like a maze, that one might be better for you.
This might a bit uncomfortable for your dog to get the food out of the little compartments – it is great to slow down my pitti from snarfing her food, but overall I’d say no for a flat face dog.
This might a bit uncomfortable for your dog to get the food out of the little compartments – it is great to slow down my pitti from snarfing her food, but overall I’d say no for a flat face dog.
Aïkiou Feeder and Playset Reviews
“Dogs absolutely love it. Holds up to them beating it around They figure it out easy enough that they werent discouraged. They love it!”
“We have a ton of enrichment toys, but this is one of my dogs’ favorite. I’m not sure why she likes it so much since it makes a bit of noise when you slide the things on the toe parts and she typically doesn’t like that, but she loves this thing. I like that it’s easy to fill and she can’t chew on it like she does with some of the other puzzle feeders. My other dog, though, does not like this one at all, so I think it’s a tossup if your dog might like it.”
“Our dogs inhale their food, this slows them down about 10 seconds… okay, maybe a little more than 10 seconds, but I love that it holds their entire serving. I only use with dry kibble (dinner), but I’m sure would work with wet, but way more mess than what I want to deal with. We used other methods to slow down breakfast which is the wet meal.”
“Gave as a gift. My son and his dog love this bowl. He has a Large Dog and this eating bowl really slows the dog down when he is eating and not just gobbling his food. would buy again as gift.”
“At first my pup wasn’t sure about this dog bowl, but now she barks and hops with excitement when she sees us preparing it for her. She absolutely loves it!! She is so adorable opening and closing the compartments.”
Idepet Dog Toy Ball
This rubber toy works double duty: You can fill it with kibble to create a puzzle your dog can solve by himself, or use it to play a traditional game of fetch.
Idepet Dog Toy Ball Q&A
Answer: Not at all unfortunately. Can’t find much for tough constant chewers.
Answer: The package does say mint flavored and you’re right, it doesn’t mention it anywhere in the description. Just got mine and my dog is not a fan yet, wondering if it’s because of the mint.
Answer: Depends on how you want to use it. It is about 3-4” across and as a ball to play fetch with it may be a little large for a mini schnauzer but as an enrichment/“busy” toy it is a great size. I stuff kibble or pieces of cheese into the grooves to give my dog something to do on a rainy day.
Question: Was this made in the USA?
Answer: My guess is “no” based on the fact that it doesn’t state “made in the USA”. Also, I looked up the Company (idepet) on the web. Their web page doesn’t indicate where their products are made. Plus there is some very bizarre language near the bottom of their web page- I can’t figure out what language it is.
On a side note- although my dog likes this ball, it has an awful chemical odor that doesn’t go away. So I’m not convinced that the ball is “not toxic”
Idepet Dog Toy Ball Reviews
“Our dog absolutely loves this ball, possibly because he loves treats too. Treats and a ball are a big hit!”
“These are great for a growing puppy”
“Love this ball, soft and easy to put treats in. Dog loves it too. I have a active puppy and this ball does the trick. Keeps him busy for a while. It’s a durable ball, I believe it’s chew proof.”
“These are awesome for occupying my dogs. They are brutal on toys and rip the stuffed ones apart in a matter of hours. I fill these up with soft training treats and put dog biscuits and peanut butter in the center. I can toss these into the yard and by the time the pets come back in I’ve got my stuff done. Perfect.”
“Dog got too smart and then proceeded to shred it
Ballistic Hide ‘n Treat
The Ballistic relies on Velcro to keep its treats inside. “While this isn’t a super difficult treat toy, the pups love it,” says Ellis. “I wouldn’t give it to a strong chewer, but for the small-to-medium crew and puppies, it’s a huge hit.”
Ballistic Hide ‘n Treat Q&A
Answer: The manufacturer does not state it is machine washable, but several other users have commented on their experience washing the toy.
Question: Do the treats fall out?
Answer: Treats stay in the toy. Your pet has to figure out how to get into it when the petals are velcroed together. Mine spent about 10 minutes trying to open it then just chewed open the side of one of the petals to get to the treats.
Answer: I don’t see a loop. This hide a treat toy has essentially three side that Velcro together together, hiding a treat that you’ve placed.
Question: Does it float?
Answer: I don’t think so, or at least not for long. It would soak up water and sink pretty quick I would think.
Ballistic Hide ‘n Treat Reviews
“My dog loves this, whether it has treats in it or not. It does sometimes fly open, but she is pretty ruthless to it too.”
“My little shih tzu can’t be bothered with toys and running around, lol, so this is perfect! I fill it and give it to her as I’m leaving for work and she starts going at it right away, which distracts her and helps to avoid the sad face and cry when I leave—perfect!”
“What a great way to occupy two dogs at the same time. Together they worked hard to get this open, then to find the treats. Only thing, if you have a heavy chewer, let them get the treat then pick it up. My one dog kept going at the flavor of the pocket and he can chew through anything! Nothing is too hard for this dog. Other than that, it is a great product!”
“Our dog loves these puzzles. He’s not terribly food motivated, but he really enjoys opening up these puzzles and digging out all the food bits we put in for him. It’s a great way to get his mind engaged, and get him moving and active without us having to entertain him. Sometimes he’ll even dig it out of the toy basket to play with even when there aren’t any treats in it. The velcro and edging don’t last as long as the body of the toy, but they aren’t expensive, so replacing them now and again is a small price to pay for how much fun he seems to have with them.”
“My dog loves them, we have three and she frequently receives her meals in them after I hide them around the house. I like them because they’re quicker and easier to fill than a traditional Kong rubber toy, and work well with dry food alone. They’re also easy to hand wash occasionally, they may even be machine washable but I haven’t tried that.”
Hide-A-Squirrel
Stuff this plush toy with tiny squirrels for your dog to sniff out. Once he masters the game, the little stuffed animals are perfect for fetch.
Hide-A-Squirrel Q&A
Answer: I have an Aussie cattle. And he loves this toy but demolished the trunk by dissecting it. The squirrels are all in tact except a few hairs and ears.
Answer: I didn’t purchased the L. I only have the ginormous size. The log is big enough for my 100 lb boxer. But the squirrels are pretty small. I imagine they are the same sized squirrels as the L. I hope this helps!
Answer: I purchased a “large”. I have a 13 pound poodle/dachshund mix. But my neighbors 70 pound standard poodle plays with it as well.
Answer: My dog was about 55lbs and 6 months old. He ripped all the little squirrels open, more like chipmunks really. He likes to pull out the stuffing. He didn’t ingest anything, just shredded the chipmunks. The tree is still pretty much intact. The jumbo size doesn’t have bigger chipmunks, just a bigger stump that has more chipmunks. My dog loved this toy.
Hide-A-Squirrel Reviews
“Loves the idea. Bought 2 and neither lasted 2 weeks. A corgi and a beagle both 2 years old gutted the things”
“my dogs absolutely love this toy! even after they have devoured and killed all the squeaky little squirrels that come inside the stump, they still run around playing with the tree stump Heidi house that they came in!
to be honest, the six little baby squirrel squeaky toys it come inside the tree stump house didn’t last very long, but I have a dire husky and a German Shepherd Husky crossbreed that are both known four destroying even indestructible toys in record time. So I do not fault outward hound on this. The squirrels actually feel like they be quite fun for any dog and squeak well. They just don’t last long once my two dogs get done fighting over them, Although my one likes to take them and hide them so they’ll mysteriously show up out of nowhere weeks later… But anyway…”
“Fun toy for a senior golden retriever. Keeps him busy for a few minutes. The squirrels are easy to shred. Trunk of toy is more durable. It’s one of those toys we bring out every once in awhile. I’m not comfortable leaving it out all the time. Squirrels are small, easy to tear up and could be ingested.”
“Bought this for my chocolate lab who was on the mend from a knee injury and needed something to keep her busy since she couldn’t play fetch for a while. My normally destructive 3-year-old dog LOVES THIS. Great find!”
“My doggo loves it but the little squirrels come out a little too easily. The top hole is really wide, if he has it in his mouth and does a shake they can fly out the top hole. Side holes are a lil smaller but still easy to pull the critters out of. Could be more of a challenge with less holes and smaller but it captures his attention for now”
Nina Ottosson Treat Maze
Both Ellis and Hartstein recommend Nina Ottosson’s puzzle toys and games. This interactive one is great for independent play, although you can also toss it to your dog to make it a game for two. Reviewers on Chewy said the toy entertained their pups for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
Nina Ottosson Treat Maze Q&A
Question: Ιs this made of, plastic, pressed board?
Answer: It’s plastic. Also very durable. I have an 80 lb American bulldog. He likes to lift the flaps, grab a hold of the flaps, and “throw” the game to the side. He learned most treats fall out that way. Lazy cheater. Regardless, the game is still fully in tact, and flaps easily pop back on. Some of the white bone middle covers have been chewed on, and still fit perfectly for intended use.
Answer: This is meant as an interactive game that you play with your dog/puppy. It helps their brain to grow and presents them with various different challenges, depending on which game you get. They are not meant to be left alone, unsupervised, with these puzzles. They are not meant to be chew toys. I have every one of these games, and they have lasted YEARS. They will not last if left unsupervised with aggressive chewers or puppies. With creativity, you can continue to make these more challenging by wrapping them in blankets putting them up on a stepstool, setting them in a box, just for a few examples. Get creative, shake things up, and your dog will have years and years of interactive fun with you.
Answer: Yes. My 5lb chihuahua loves this puzzle. The pieces are lightweight to open and slide. Her biggest challenge is the white center caps, but only mentally challenging. She has to nudge it up with her nose then pulls it out with her paw. It does take a little while for her to get them so I only use 2 of the white caps. If I want to keep her occupied longer I can use all 4.
Question: Is this toy dishwasher safe?
Answer: Hello and thank you for your question! This product is not dishwasher safe. We recommend washing it with warm soapy running water and rinsing thoroughly.
If you have any additional questions please let us know!
Thank you,
Outward Hound Team
Nina Ottosson Treat Maze Reviews
“My dog loves this! He caught on super quick and gets so excited every time I bring it out! It’s super durable, and I know cause he’ll pick it up and throw it around to get into the toy!”
“I purchased the Level 2 Hide and Slide for my 2 year old Husky and my almost 1 year old German Shepard. They have only played with the treat dispensing balls so I got the Level 2 game and it was super easy for them. I just purchased the Level 3 Twister for them to increase the difficulty. Still love and use the Hide and Slide but I want to expand the mind games for my dogs.”
“We bought several of these for the hounds and Tabbies for Christmas, and this was the one they could interact with the best and liked the most. Thanks!”
“I bought this for my nine-month old Border Collie, a clever and easily bored breed of dog! At first he was a bit scared of it and although I showed him how it worked, he left it in the middle of the room for a couple of hours. Curiosity got the better of him and although I had put two of the white bricks in, it didn’t take him more than a couple of minutes to work it out. A bit frustrating at first and he tried to eat the bricks! By the third try he pretty much had it worked out but it keeps him occupied checking that he’s found everything. People may be concerned about the number of treats given but I put slices of carrot, broccoli, etc., in there, which he likes. The instructions suggest putting string through the holes in the bricks. I did so and the dog did use it sometimes. If you’re going to suggest that though, manufacturer, perhaps put a length of string in the box. It adds to the cost to buy some.”
“I bought this for my nine-month old Border Collie, a clever and easily bored breed of dog! At first he was a bit scared of it and although I showed him how it worked, he left it in the middle of the room for a couple of hours. Curiosity got the better of him and although I had put two of the white bricks in, it didn’t take him more than a couple of minutes to work it out. A bit frustrating at first and he tried to eat the bricks! By the third try he pretty much had it worked out but it keeps him occupied checking that he’s found everything. People may be concerned about the number of treats given but I put slices of carrot, broccoli, etc., in there, which he likes. The instructions suggest putting string through the holes in the bricks. I did so and the dog did use it sometimes. If you’re going to suggest that though, manufacturer, perhaps put a length of string in the box. It adds to the cost to buy some.”
Busy Buddy Calming Toys
For the anxious dog, this toy is important for two reasons. It challenges her by slowly releasing kibble as she rolls it around and soothes her at the same time with a calming chamomile scent.
Busy Buddy Calming Toys Q&A
Question: Is their a large size?
Answer: Great question! The PetSafe Busy Buddy Calming Toys are only available in the small and medium sizes.
Answer: Thank you for this question, Ariel! This package does contain both toys.
Question: Does the squirrel squeak?
Answer: Thank you for your great question, Katie. Neither of these toys squeak.
Answer: I use the Mickey Mouse shaped one as a treat dispenser (I put dog food kibble in it because their kibble is small enough), and I use the snowman shaped one as a peanut butter lick . My dogs are happy with them and it keeps them distracted when we leave the house.
Busy Buddy Calming Toys Reviews
“I somehow didn’t realize 2 came in the package. My dog really enjoys them so far.”
“our EXTREMELY food motivated 3 month old mini Aussie was able to flip this over and figure it out in no time, even though it’s heavy. Our 2 year old mini (who has other slow feeders she’s figured out) didn’t want to put forth the effort required since there are no side holes. We did trim the flexible prongs some, which is helpful. I do like that you can insert different sizes of kibble in the holes. It’s quite sturdy. Also, the bone shaped grooves on the outside would be convenient to spread peanut butter, pumpkin, etc in to provide another way to use it. In that regard, it’d be nice if the grooves were a little deeper to allow more food to be spread in there. Since one of the dogs found it useful, I changed my rating from 3 stars to 5.”
“My buddy Bailey is a six month old puppy with lots of energy. When he gets bored he gets a little wild. We give him the busy buddy stocked with a few of his favorite treats and he stays busy for 30 minutes sometimes. He loves it, and we love the quiet for awhile!”
“Have an 80 lb American Staffordshire who can chew through about anything. These are amazing and she hasn’t made any teeth indentations at all!! Highly recommend for an active chewer!
“I got this for a senior hunting dog I rescued. He gets bored easily. I put his kibble in it and it keeps him busy.”
Mad Scientist
Okay, so it’s not exactly chemistry, but your dog will have to figure out how to flip these treat-filled beakers for his experiment to be a success.
Mad Scientist Q&A
Answer: Hi, there is a cap on top of the cups. It had a smaller opening to control how much kibble comes out, or you could leave it off if the opening is to small. The down side to that is one spin and all the kibble would come out of that specific cup.
Answer: We buy the little training treats or break up dog biscuits into smaller pieces. We tried putting dog food in at first, but couldn’t interest any of the three dogs we tried it on. We got their attention with the treats.
Answer: I’m not sure if he would be big enough. My small Schnauzer is 12 lb. and stands about 10 inches at her shoulder and it scares her, but she would be able to make it work otherwise. My bigger guy is 21 lb and stands about 14 inches at the shoulder and he does quite well. He did drag it over on it’s side when he first learned to play with it. I’m thinking your Maltese might be too short. Good luck.
Question: Is this too small for Standard poodle?
Answer: Not sure how tall standard poodles are but I think it would be OK and if not secure it to something a little taller. This is the best Trixie product we’ve had and our dogs continue to work it a couple of months in
Mad Scientist Reviews
“My peanut-brained chihuahua can’t figure this one out. He will guard it from the cat all day even though he can’t get the treats out. I think the design is executed well and will try it on my boyfriend next.”
“My cat eats like his life depends on it every time we feed him, and it often made his tummy upset. Our vet suggested some sort of puzzle for his food and this is great! We feed him wet food and dry food. For the best ease of cleaning, I highly recommend putting wet food in the little trays and dry food in the rest of the puzzle. We tried putting wet food in the main part first and not only did he struggle to eat that, (and not in a good way), but it made it a nightmare to clean. If you follow my recommendation, its definitely easy to clean. I’m also surprised by how well it stays rooted to its spot. Our cat realllyy has to push to move it.”
“Birthday gift for our little Westie. She loves hide and seek ( finding hidden treats) and is very treat orientated. She loves this little game. With the extra tubes and lids its great value. 10 minutes is about long enough as its very tiring. All in all very glad I bought it”
“I love this toy because you can see my dogs really thinking how to open and get to there treats. This is helpful if you have a smart puppy or dog.”
“My pup caught on quickly and the product worked well. My only complaint is that it would start to tip over when she got vigorous with trying to get the treats and she’s only 12 lbs. I’ll add more weight to the base in the future and it should be fine.”
“This toy is a must have. Fill it with peanut butter, treats, a bully stick. Work to entertain my puppy and senior dog.”
“Used for my 6 month old black lab/pitbull pup. Great for teething and game play with her. Very durable and keeps the dogs interest.”
“Dogs love this. It keeps them occupied for hours sd the chew on it and work to get the bacon flavored spread out.”
“I have gifted one of my friend’s dog a KONG product each Christmas for several years. Their dog really likes them! I always get one that is strong without any noises! His owner specified to get him the Kong brand dog products. Thank you, Kong!”
“So far so good! My lab pup loves it and it’s helped me train him with walking on a leash. Keeps him occupied when he has the zoonoses and he loves rolling it around and trying to get out the treats. It’s been great for him and a great tool for us with training.”