WestPaw Toppl Treat Dispenser Reviewed by Dog Trainers
Hear Directly from an expert dog trainer what they think about the WestPaw Toppl dog toy. Our dog trainers get to demo pretty much every dog toy on the market! That makes them excellent sources of information and product reviews on dog toys and other dog related products. This is an incredible toy that allows you to keep your dog busy for hours. Keep reading for our full product review and a special West Paw discount code for our readers!
What is the WestPaw Toppl
The Toppl is probably the most popular dog toy created by West Paw. It is a silicone/rubber puzzle toy feeder made out of the company's unique Zogoflex material. It is most similar to a Classic Kong toy, in that the main use is filling the toy with treats/dog food and allowing your pup to play with the toy to slowly get the prize! Important: Zogoflex is BPA free and non-toxic.
This class of dog products is considered a treat dispenser or toy more than a full-on slow feeder device. We review other options for slow feeding such as; Kong Wobbler, Keegud Puzzle Bowl, Livekey Snuffle Mats. The main difference between slow feeders and dog puzzle toys is that you wouldn't put your pup's entire meal in a puzzle toy. Instead, this would be in addition to their normal meal and really meant to keep your dog busy. In addition to using Toppl as a treat toy, it is great for playing long games of fetch as the toy has a tendency to bounce really well.
How does the WestPaw Toppl Work
The Toppl is extremely easy to use. To prepare your Toppl, simply pick your dog's favorite treats and other food stuffing options and place them in the main cavity of the Toppl. Once all loaded up, it is recommended that you place the Toppl in your freezer to solidify the mixture and make it last longer for your pup. Keep reading for recipe options for filling your Toppl.
What can You Fill the Toppl With
The list of pet safe items that you can add to your dog's Toppl is endless. We do however have a bunch of favorite recipes that we think you should check out!
WestPaw Toppl Recipes
Toppl PB Pumpkin Surprise
In our video review of the West Paw Toppl our trainer Holly, shares our favorite Toppl Recipe For PB Pumpkin Surprise. Ingredients:
- Smooth peanut butter
- greek yogurt
- canned pumpkin
- beef lung dog treat
Toppl Banana Cheesecake
Another great recipe we have found is for Banana Cheesecake! Before whipping this one up for your Toppl, ensure that your pup doesn't have issues with dairy products...
- Banana Puree
- 1/2 sliced Banana
- 1 Tbs Plain Cream Cheese
- West Paw Pork Super Food
If you are looking for more recipes check out the West Paw Toppl Blog for all sorts of ideas!
What sizes does the Toppl Come In
The WestPaw Toppl comes in two sizes Small, Large, and XL. If you are looking for more capacity, the small actually fits inside the large and the large fits inside the XL. This greatly increases the total amount of food that you can fit for your pup!
What size WestPaw Toppl is Right For My Dog
Toppl Small - West Paw Toppl Small holds around 1/4 cup of food mixture. This is a good size treat for a mini to small dog. This size is also most appropriate for play with dogs of this size range.
Toppl Large - Toppl Large holds around 3/4 cups of food mixture. This size is good for medium size dogs.
Toppl XL - West Paw Toppl XL holds around 1 and 3/4 cups of food mixture. This can be used for medium to large size dogs. Remember we feel the Toppl is best as a treat toy and not for your dog's entire meal. If you want to give a bigger treat, try combing two Toppl's by placing them on top of each other.
Make sure to go to the bottom of the page for a Promocode to buy the West Paw Toppl!
Is the WestPaw Toppl Durable
As we mentioned the Toppl is made from something that West Paw calls Zogoflex. This makes the material soft enough to not hurt your dog's gums and mouth, but durable enough to not shred or rip apart. The material also seems to withstand many freezing and thawing sessions, before any signs of wearing out. The Toppl might not be for all dogs, if your dog is a power chewer, we would not recommend leaving them unmonitored with the Toppl. We have had customers where their pup was able to rip the Toppl completely in half. For power chewers check out our Goughnut Product Review.
Cleaning and Caring for Your WestPaw Toppl
Cleaning the West Paw Toppl couldn't be any easier! The West Paw Toppl is dishwasher safe. Our trainers have had good results with the Toppl coming clean in just about any dishwasher. It also seems like they can survive hundreds of wash cycles without becoming damaged.
What is the Biggest Downside of the Toppl
From using the West Paw Toppl hundreds of times, there are 2 main complaints that our trainers have come across.
- Food Mixture Oozing - The mixture of food can ooze out of the smaller side hole on the Toppl before it has fully frozen. This can make a bit of a mess in your freezer. The problem seems to be worse when you place a wetter mixture in the Toppl. We recommend putting a small piece of parchment paper under your Toppl when freezing to avoid any messes.
- Toppl Falling Over - The bigger mess that can happen with the Toppl is when it fall over in the freezer before your food mixture is fully frozen. This can be a much bigger problem than the oozing from the small side hole. When the Toppl rolls over it allows a much larger amount of food to come out the large top hole. This can lead to the food and the Toppl being frozen to the bottom of your freezer. The main issue here is the rounded nature of the Toppl's base. This makes it hard for the Toppl to stand on it's own. You can prop the Toppl up against other items in your freezer to keep this from happening.
WestPaw Toppl Plug and Stand
If the solutions above don't help, try this great product that fixes both issues! A Silicone Plug and Stand designed specifically for the West Paw Toppl! We love this plug because it is made of a flexible silicone which makes it easy to remove once the Toppl is frozen. Oh yeah, did we forget to mention the plug is Super CUTE!!! Always make sure that you remove the plug before you give the Toppl to your dog!
Alternatives to the WestPaw Toppl
Other Dog Puzzle Toys
Toppl Vs. Classic Kong
We prefer the Toppl over the Classic Kong. Both are great toys that provide you a way to keep your dog busy while you are away. The Toppl is easier to load with the larger opening, this also makes it less likely that your pup gets their tongue stuck while getting our their favorite treats. The one advantage of the Kong is a wider range of materials they are made from and a larger array of sizes.
Other Slow Feeder Options
Kong Wobbler
The Kong Wobbler is considerably larger than the Toppl and the Kong Classic, it allows you to put an entire meal in it. We consider it a cross between a slow feeder and a puzzle toy for your dog.
Snuffle Mat
A Snuffle Mat is a slow feeder enrichment tool for your dog. It keeps them busy and active while eating their food, while also slowing them down!
Does the Toppl Float
Yes, the West Paw Toppl also floats! This makes it an excellent toy for dogs that like to swim and play fetch. Pack the Toppl for your day on the lake and ensure your dog will have a great day of playing fetch for hours on end.
WestPaw Discount Code
We are pleased to offer an exclusive WestPaw discount code. Simply Click this link to the West Paw Homepage and enter the code WESTPAW10 at check out to receive 10% off your order.
