Puzzle Toy Review: Cycle Dog 3 Play Hippo

The 3 Play Hippo toy by Cycle Dog is a remarkably appealing toy that can be used in several different ways. It doesn't just float, it floats high in the water so it's easier to spot from dog-paddling height. The head squeaks. and the belly has a slit for hiding treats. This toy is made from post-consumer recycled material. It comes in two colors and two sizes, the one pictured is the mini hippo.

Photo by Erin Koski

I don't know what it is about this pink hippo, but everybody loves it. Whether they are squeaking it, nose-punching it, or lovingly carrying it around the house, all three dogs thoroughly enjoy the happy hippo. Even after the nose cracked and the squeak diminished, they still love it.

I love this toy too. It's adorable! It also comes in blue, and there is a larger size that we probably need to acquire.

Photo by Erin Koski

Puzzle Toy Rating

Capacity: 3/5

I can fit Brisbane's entire meal of 1/4-cup kibble in here, the bigger one probably fits closer to a cup. The slit is also big enough to jam a larger biscuit or two inside.

Loading Speed: 2/5

I can cram a small handful of kibble in here at a time.

Unloading Speed (standard dog): 5/5

It usually still has a kibble or two in it when I find it around the house.

Unloading Speed (superdog): 4/5

Brisbane isn't a huge fan of flexible rubber flap puzzles, but this one is just the right size to be challenging without him finding it unpleasant for whatever reason.

Size: 5/5

The small one is small enough for Ru to play with, the bigger one is big enough for a giant dog.

Durability: 3/5

Most of our flexible rubber puzzles have held up very well, but the nose of our hippo split open pretty quickly and now it doesn't squeak like it used to.

Noise: 5/5

It's soft and it doesn't roll, so it's dead quiet on my hardwood floors.

Locatability: 3/5

Our mini hippo is a prized possession and is almost always being hoarded in a crate or bed somewhere, but at least it doesn't roll under the couch.

Washability: 3/5

I should be able to jam a bottle brush into the belly slit if it needs a good scrub. I subtracted a star though because our cracked toy tend to take on water and there's no cleaning the inside of the head.

Photo by Erin Koski

Versatility: 4/5

Our happy hippo was borrowed from Xhuuya the raven, who enjoys prying nuts out of the belly and pretending she's disemboweling the riverbeast. The size and type of puzzle makes it usable by a variety of critters.

Total: 37/50