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| Photo by Erin Koski |
This cute little puzzle toy was spotted by a reader who shared it with me a while back. I found it the next time I visited a Target store, and I was pleased at how sturdy and inexpensive it was.
Similar to the Starmark Treat Dispensing Chew Ball, the Treat Urchin has a hole on either side with little flaps that prevent all but the smallest kibbles from just falling out.
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| Photo by Erin Koski |
Puzzle Toy Rating
Capacity: 2/5
This is the smaller-sized toy for dogs up to 50 pounds, and it holds maybe half a cup of food.
Loading Speed: 2/5
Break out the soda funnel for this one, otherwise it will be loaded one kibble at a time.
Unloading Speed (standard dog): 5/5
Foster puppy Xena can't actually get all the kibble out of this toy, ut I don't think she's trying very hard either.
Unloading Speed (superdog): 2/5
Briz can empty it pretty quick, but he spends a while getting that last kibble out.
Size: 3/5
The small size is small enough for 6-pound Ru to use, but big enough to keep 40-pound Brisbane busy. The larger one looks big enough for a Labrador or similarly large dog provided they aren't a serious chewer. I would not give either toy to a giant breed dog.
Durability: 4/5
This is a very solid rubber toy. I'm sure a serious chewer could shred it right away, but it should hold up just fine for normal play from a dog that isn't on a mission of destruction.
Noise: 4/5
Soft rubber means no horrible noises on my hard floor, but the Treat Urchin is surprisingly heavy and solid, so it makes a big boom when tossed or dropped on elevated floors.
Locatability: 1/5
Fits under the couch. Fits under the coffee table. Small enough to be carried. Rolls with some effort. The Treat Urchin is somewhere in my house right now, but I've no idea where.
Washability: 3/5
It's a hollow rubber toy with a simple chamber inside, so I should be able to jam a scrub brush in there.
Versatility: 2/5
Xhuuya the raven can fit the tip of her beak in here, but the lack of easy cleaning limits the options for treats that can go inside.
Total: 28/50
You got it! I found it concerning when I first squeezed it and the seams "cracked" from whatever was holding it together. Just an FYI! The kibble I use make it difficult for my dog to get it out. I've seen a few other "puzzle toys" at Target too, but they seem pointless, theres one that's hourglass shaped with a hole going straight through it and a starfish with just holes through it.
ReplyDeletei froze water inside and she was fascinated for hours trying to figure out why she couldn't get the ice out as it melted away. In her short 7 month life, this is the only toy she has not destroyed by chewing and eating it. she loves it and doesn't want to hurt it
ReplyDeleteThat is adorable! I will try that with my foster puppy as soon as I can find ours. It's probably under the couch.
Deletei froze water inside and she was fascinated for hours trying to figure out why she couldn't get the ice out as it melted away. In her short 7 month life, this is the only toy she has not destroyed by chewing and eating it. she loves it and doesn't want to hurt it
ReplyDelete