Treat dispensing toys

FilleBelle · 06-05-2009, 10:19 PM

I use a Buster Cube to feed Alvin at least one of his meals a day. He loves it and I love that it makes meal time more interesting, but he's gotten too good at it. He can empty the thing in under ten minutes, even on it's toughest setting.

How do other kibble dispensing toys stack up? Anyone have a recommendation?

FourIsCompany · 06-05-2009, 11:24 PM

I love the everlasting fun ball. We don't use it for food anymore, but it's harder to work than the cube, but more fun to chew on.

FilleBelle · 06-06-2009, 12:35 PM

That hole looks pretty big. It works okay with little kibbles?

FourIsCompany · 06-06-2009, 12:51 PM

You can get the smaller ball. That would probably work. I'm not sure if you use a "small bites" formula. Here's a picture. There are little 'nubs" inside the hole to make it harder.

FilleBelle · 06-09-2009, 02:48 PM

Naw, just regular kibbles, but the hole still seemed rather large. I see how those little nubs would help, though.

Thanks!

Got anything else?

PappyMom · 06-11-2009, 11:37 PM

We just use the kong, and stuff it full.. Not sure if that'd work with kibble though..we usually put a couple treats in, so that they don't budge, then put a bit of the stuff'n peanut butter on top..and gizmo goes at it for hours.

Squeeker · 06-12-2009, 11:30 PM

We use a few different ones...

Our favourite is the "tricky treats" ball, but like you, it has gotten too easy for Libby.

The tug-a-jug is too hard.

We have a couple others, one is shaped like a flying saucer and made by the same company that makes the squirrel dudes. It is great, but doesn't hold much food. Another is shaped like a molecule, and is also a bit too easy, but it's small and we use it for travelling.

Shaina · 06-13-2009, 01:49 AM

I "tested" a Buster Cube that my SIL had and Kim emptied it in under 3 minutes on her first shot. Didn't bother buying one.

They have a Tug-a-Jug but it's way too easy...Webster's gotten it well under 10 minutes, Kim's well under 5.

They have this plastic ball that has like a spiral inside so the food pieces have to work their way through the ball bit by bit. Kim cheats because she figured out how to unscrew it, but it takes Webster a little while to do. Trouble is I don't know what it's called because we were given it by an old coworker who gave up his dog...

Nothing beats a Kong full of something wet frozen solid through. I used to plug the end of Kongs w/ peanut butter and pack them with yogurt/pumpkin-coated kibble then fill the full Kong with water and freeze them so the kibble would swell inside and pack really really tight. Lifesaver when Kim was a teen in an apartment lol.

FilleBelle · 06-13-2009, 02:00 AM

Alvin has zero interest in a Kong. While the Buster Cube is definitely too easy for him, I think he find the Kong worthlessly challenging. He'll lick the easy stuff off the outside and then go take a nap.

He still loves his Buster Cube, I'd just like to offer a different challenge. Maybe I'll keep it and buy one other treat dispensing toy and just start switching them up at dinnertime so that he has to adjust to their different styles.

canteloupe · 06-13-2009, 02:05 AM

I just responded to another thread that was talking about treat-dispensing toys as well, but I'll write it here, too.
My neighbor has the everlasting fun ball and it works great for them. I bought one for my next dog. They have that on dog.com at the link that FourIsCompany posted. There's also this other one that looks like a lot of fun:
http://www.dog.com/item/paw-zzle-ball---10-inch/
It has a ball within a ball, and the inner one dispenses treats. I don't own it so I can't recommend it, but the reviewers seem to like it a lot.

Shaina · 06-13-2009, 02:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FilleBelle

He still loves his Buster Cube, I'd just like to offer a different challenge. Maybe I'll keep it and buy one other treat dispensing toy and just start switching them up at dinnertime so that he has to adjust to their different styles.

I don't remember exactly how the buster cube is configured, but if there's a large size kibble of the same thing you feel, you could try that to make it a bit more challenging...larger pieces are more difficult on a lot of those toys.

naturegeek · 06-13-2009, 02:37 AM

Roxy likes the Leo http://www.caninegenius.com/

I jammed her antler in it once and surprisingly she really liked that- I think she had been having a hard time holding it up to gnaw on or something. Kibble and hot dog bits work great and keep her busy quite a while.

We have a tricky treat too. Say "kibble ball" around here and you will have a fast friend.

hulkamaniac · 06-14-2009, 03:10 PM

Brutus loves the tug-a-jug. Takes him a couple of hours to empty it. He's not the smartest dog though.

Skeeski · 06-16-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naturegeek

Roxy likes the Leo http://www.caninegenius.com/

I jammed her antler in it once and surprisingly she really liked that- I think she had been having a hard time holding it up to gnaw on or something. Kibble and hot dog bits work great and keep her busy quite a while.

We have a tricky treat too. Say "kibble ball" around here and you will have a fast friend.

I'm going to second the "Leo" our dogs love theirs. Stuff the lower part with kibble and the long part with peanut butter and they're set for the evening.

GottaLuvMutts · 08-08-2009, 04:07 AM

I'm reviving this thread because I'm ready to purchase one of these toys. I'm sick of meals disappearing in under a minute and I'm scared of bloat!

Here are my requirements:

Must fit 1 cup of kibble - regular size, not small bites.
Must be easy to fill. Unless she's getting her tongue in it, cleaning won't be a big deal because it's only taking dry food.
Must be relatively quiet on a hard floor, but will probably be taken outside, too.
Must be relatively comfortable to chew on.
The more challenging, the better. I guarantee there will be no giving up.

So...any suggestions? Looking through these I'm thinking maybe Everlasting Fun Ball? Would the small size (2.75 inch diameter) fit a cup of kibble?

FilleBelle · 08-08-2009, 02:47 PM

In doing some research, I have found that the Omega Tricky Treat Ball comes at least a little more highly recommended than the Everlasting Fun Ball. Overall, reviewers say it lasts about 20 minutes, even for driven dogs.

I still haven't actually made a purchase, though, so I don't know.

winniec777 · 08-08-2009, 03:24 PM

The Chill Pill might work. It's hard to get open and the holes in the end prevent the kibble from falling out too easily. Holds about 1/2-3/4 of a cup of large kibble. Not sure how much of the small.

http://www.poshpuppyboutique.com/pro...lt-sw148cs.htm

GottaLuvMutts · 08-08-2009, 05:32 PM

Thanks for the replies!

The chill pill looks good, but after reading about it, I decided against it. The website says the dog is supposed to learn how to open it, and I definitely don't want my dog hitting the jackpot - just getting one or two kibbles out at a time steadily for as long as it lasts. I also found a review on that one from a very unhappy customer that said her pointer chewed it to bits in minutes: http://www.viewpoints.com/Loopies-To...l-review-664b0. Uh, no thanks, not at that price.

Looked up the Tricky Treats ball yesterday and thought it was hard plastic. On second look, it's actually made of vinyl! Now I'm leaning towards that one, but Squeeker said above that it had gotten too easy for Libby. Based on other threads, though, I get the impression Libby's pretty smart...hmmm.

Any other input before I buy one? I'll post Kit's time after it comes in the mail and we try it out.

Squeeker · 08-08-2009, 06:17 PM

The Tricky Treats ball is still our favourite.

However, we just got a new one - the Dog Pyramid. It's a Nina Ottosson toy, but not one of those that has blocks that slide and pegs that come out and stuff. This is a plastic cone (but with rounded edges) and the bottom is weighted (think weeble-wobble). There is a hole on the side near the top. The dog has to tip the toy at the right angle to get the treats to dispense.

http://www.gear4dogs.com/nina-ottoss...nteractive-toy

I wish it weren't hard plastic, but it's a great toy in that it takes a lot longer than the tricky treats. Libby has only used it twice now, but it takes significantly longer than the Tricky Treats.

GottaLuvMutts · 08-08-2009, 11:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squeeker

the Dog Pyramid

Wow, that one's pricey! I think I've seen something similar at Petco, but not too sure.

When you say that Libby has gotten good with the Tricky Treats one, how long are we talking and for what amount of kibble? With Kit I'm shooting for ten minutes or longer for a cup of kibble (her full meal), but would settle for 5 minutes. Right now we're under a minute with a brake-fast bowl and that scares me - especially the giant burp that comes afterwards!