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Guide to Enrichment Toys: Comparing the Honeypot, Toppl, KONG, and Pupsicle!
Are you looking for ways to keep your pup entertained and mentally stimulated? Enrichment toys and dog puzzle toys offer a perfect solution!
In this guide we will compare some of the top enrichment dog toys on the market. We’ll cover the Honeypot by SodaPup, Toppl by West Paw, KONG Toys for Dogs. Plus the brand new and exclusive to WOOOF.co.uk, the Pupsicle Toy & Treat Tray by Woof.
From treat-dispensing to interactive play, we’ll explore the features of each dog puzzle, the benefits they provide, and which toy is right for your pup. So sit back, relax, and get ready to learn how to choose the perfect enrichment toy for your furry friend!
unsplash.com, Ayla Verschueren
What are enrichment toys and why are they important?
Enrichment toys are designed to provide mental stimulation and physical exercise for your pup. They are essential for keeping them engaged and entertained so they don’t become bored.
Enrichment toys come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and styles. Some dispense treats when your dog interacts with them, while other puzzle toys for dogs require interactive play between you and your pup.
No matter which type of toy you choose, enrichment toys are sure to keep them entertained for hours! Not only will these toys improve your dog’s mental well-being, but they’ll also help reduce destructive behaviours caused by boredom. So if you want to keep your pup happy and healthy, an enrichment toy is a great choice!
What are the benefits of enrichment toys?
Enrichment toys not only give your pup something to do when they are bored, but they also provide mental stimulation. This helps reduce boredom-related behaviours like excessive barking, destruction of furniture and belongings, plus more.
Enrichment toys can also help your pup develop problem-solving skills as they figure out how to access treats or other rewards inside the toy. Since these toys require physical interaction, they can even help promote physical activity.
Finally, enrichment toys make great bonding tools between you and your pup! Not only does playing with a toy together create quality time for the two of you, but it also builds trust between you and your pet.
A Closer Look at the Honeypot by SodaPup
The Honeypot by SodaPup is an interactive treat-dispensing toy that encourages natural foraging behaviours in dogs. It is made out of extra-durable rubber and has a unique shape that allows it to bounce unpredictably when thrown - making it more fun for your dog to play with!
Once you have filled the pot with items such as kibble, banana, peanut butter, and / or natural yoghurt, it can be frozen for a few hours to increase the challenge and duration of the activity. If your dog is a speed eater, you can serve your dog's meals inside to slow them down.
A Closer Look at Toppl by West Paw
The Toppl by West Paw is very similar to the Honey Pot as it's an interactive treat-dispensing toy that encourages natural foraging behaviours. The shape of this enrichment toy also allows the Toppl to roll and bounce unpredictably too.
The Toppl's soft, rounded inner 'teeth' contain a contoured cavity to hold treats in place until your dog nudges them out. The durable, non-toxic material can withstand a lot of chewing, is dishwasher safe, and it floats!
For puzzle masters, or dogs who just need an extra outlet for excess energy, connect the small and large sizes (sold separately) for an even more challenging puzzle.
A Closer Look at KONG Toys for Dogs
KONG Toys come in a variety of shapes, sizes and densities, so there’s something for every dog whether they a puppy, senior or a power chewer.
KONG Toys are made from durable rubber, which is both resilient to chewing and easy to clean. Their patented design allows you to stuff the toy with treats, while the outside ridges stimulate your pup’s senses as they try to get the treats out.
As your pup chews and plays with their KONG Toy, they’ll be kept entertained as they forage for the snacks!
A Closer Look at Pupsicle Toy by Woof
Exclusive to WOOOF.co.uk, we are excited to introduce the Pupsicle toy!
The Pupsicle Toy was created by the brilliant Woof. It's the ultimate interactive dog enrichment toy on the market that not only mentally stimulates through the dispensing of treats, but also is built to withstand the toughest of chewers!
The Pupsicle toy comes with a Treat Tray that you can fill with your pup's favourite goodies, freeze, and then unscrew the Pupsicle toy to pop your frozen treat in. Once you have done this, you can give the Pupsicle toy to your furry friend to enjoy hours of interactive play.
Better yet, this enrichment toy is known for being super easy to fill and clean. The method of freezing also takes up a lot less space in the freezer!
Green Pupsicle Enrichment Toy also available in black.
Comparison of the Top Four Enrichment Toys
All four brands and their toys encourage natural foraging behaviours and their shapes allow them to roll around and bounce unpredictably, making them really fun toys. That's even before we get to the most exciting part of filling and freezing them (for more longevity of play).
The Honeypot by SodaPup is an affordable £14.99 at WOOOF.co.uk and we believe is a staple enrichment toy that is both aesthetically adorable and durable. Unfortunately it has a one size fits all policy, so it is not suitable for a short snouted breeds*. If you love the Honey Pot, they recently released some new colours to enjoy!
The Toppl by West Paw acts as a good upgrade to the Honey Pot. It has its' internal teeth / compartments which add to the fun by holding treats inside. You can also buy different sizes then connect them to up the difficulty.
The only downside is that you do need to fill the hole with a Toppl Stopper if you want to fill the toy with liquid. Unlike the HoneyPot and its' affordable price, the West Paw range from £21.99 - £38.99 at WOOOF.co.uk. However, they do come in a variety of sizes and colours. The Small size works for short snouted dogs.
KONGS are available in an array of sizes, densities, colours, and for all dog life stages. They are undeniably the most popular enrichment dog toy out there, and most people will own a kong at some point during their dog's life. This is because KONG's come in a range of sizes (and strengths) to suit the more aggressive chewer, a puppy, or senior dog. The only downside with KONG is that it's known to be harder to clean and fill with treats compared to the Honey Pot, Toppl, and Pupsicle toy.
Similar to the Honey Pot, the Pupsicle Toy is super easy to fill with multiple treats and easier to clean. It also will take up much less space in the freezer compared to KONG toys. However, the only catch is that Pupsicle is a little more expensive at £25.99. But customers say it's worth the price due to its durability. The Pupsicle Toy is also available with the Treat Tray to help with making your dog treats, so that's an extra bonus!
How to Choose the Right Toy for Your Dog
When it comes to choosing the dog puzzle toys for your your pup, there are a few important things to consider. First, think about the size of your dog and what kind of dog puzzles they’ll be able to handle. For example, if you have a small dog, you shouldn’t buy them a large Kong toy — it won’t fit in their mouth!
Next, look at how interactive the toy is. Does it easily offer treats or require some skill? Do you need the toy to offer long periods of entertainment or short lived rewards? Finally, consider how durable the toy needs to be for your pup. Is your dog a power chewer, a puppy or a senior? By taking these three factors into account, you can decide which type of enrichment toy is best suited for your furry bestie.
Dog Enrichment Toys from WOOOF
Enrichment toys can be a great way to keep your dog active, engaged and entertained. With the right toy, your pup can have hours of fun and mental stimulation. The Honeypot by SodaPup, Toppl by West Paw, KONG Toys and Pupsicle by Woof, are all great options for enrichment toys, each with their own benefits.
Weighing the pros and cons of each enrichment toy can help you decide which is best for your dog. Lastly, when selecting an enrichment toy for your lovable canine, be sure to consider the size, activity level, and chewing habits of your pup to ensure a safe and fun experience.
*If you have a short snouted breed, take a look at our selection of lick mats. They are a great enrichment toy to keep your dog calm and mentally stimulated. Simply smash a banana into the grooves (and freeze for longer entertainment), or get creative with toppers, nut butters, and fruit and veg - the possibilities are endless!
