Lately, I’ve been exploring various feeder toys for the pups. I’m especially interested in options designed for flat-faced dogs like Babes, our Boston terrier. For a long time, we’ve relied on a specific puzzle feeder toy from Outward Hound Nina Ottosson.

These toys are incredible and extremely durable! I have small dogs, so I can’t say how a 70 lb Pittie or Shepherd would handle them, but my pups are tough on all their toys, and these have truly stood the test of time. They also hold up well in the top rack of the dishwasher. The one shown above has been used almost daily for three years!

What I’ve begun to notice is that Babes the Boston Terrier seems to get frustrated with this toy. Having a flat face limits here and it’s not as easy for her to open the covers. Also, she never quite mastered picking up the bone-shaped pieces to access what’s underneath. Alf, is a Westie and like most West Highland Terriers he has a good size snouts and can empty this out in a few minutes!

So I recently just started another feeder toy and I think this one is going to work well. It’s a three-level toy, but the food reservoirs are pretty shallow.

I’ve actually used it with just the first (blue) level and she’s just getting used to it. She seems to like it. Babes does not like gulp her food much and she’s a decent chewer so it’s not so much slow feeding with her like it is with Alf, as much as making it so that she can easily get the food in her mouth. And variety. I’m so thankful we have they excellent products to add novelty and variety to our dogs daily lives!