Finding the right toy for your reactive dog can be a huge challenge. Our reactive dogs often need more than just a simple ball to keep them entertained and engaged. So, enter the Pets at Home Treat Tube Tower!
The Treat Tube Tower is a product designed to provide mental and physical stimulation for your furry friend. But is it worth the investment? In this review, we're going to look into the benefits, points for improvement, and details of this intriguing toy to help you make an informed decision.
What is the Pets at Home Treat Tube Tower?
The Pets at Home Treat Tube Tower is a pretty cleverly designed interactive toy that dispenses treats as your dog plays with it. The base of the tower is designed for slow feeding, which helps to ensure your dog eats treats slower aiding in better digestion. The tubes themselves have a variety of openings that allow you to add different-sized treats for your dog. It requires no tools to set it up and takes about 20 seconds to assemble.
One of my favourite aspects about the Treat Tube Tower is that it has multiple tubes to hide treats. We have a Shiba Inu who absolutely loves focusing on the different types of treats in the tube, and it's fascinating to watch his decision-making process on which tube he wants to focus on. The tower is relatively sturdy and made with dog-safe materials. In several months of owning this product, we've had no issues with broken plastic, but we have found that the lid of one of the tubes has loosened over time - but I think this is also because our dog tries to chew them occasionally!
Why is the Treat Tube Tower Good for Reactive Dogs?
When we buy products, we often focus on toys and accessories that will benefit our reactive dogs in some way. For dogs that exhibit reactive behaviours, keeping them mentally stimulated is so important. Some of the benefits of the Treat Tube Tower are:
- Engagement: The interactive design keeps our dog occupied for a decent period of time - usually about 20 - 30 minutes, which helps reduce his anxiety and destructive behaviour.
- Mental Stimulation: Solving the puzzle of getting his favourite treats or kibble out keeps him stimulated. We love actively watching him try to figure out the best way to turn the tubes upside down or spin them.
- Physical Activity: Walks aren't the only way to keep your dog physically fit. The Treat Tube Tower helps encourage movement and exercise, promoting our pups' overall health.
Durability and Safety
One of the main concerns we see with dog toys is their durability and safety. The Treat Tube Tower is built to withstand rough play. Made from decent-quality, non-toxic materials, it’s safe for your dog to chew and interact with. However, always supervise your dog during playtime to ensure they use it correctly. You should always ensure the toys you purchase are suitable for your pet's play preferences, chewing habits and size. Please remember that no toy is completely indestructible.
The Positives and Negatives of the Treat Tube Tower
Positive Feedback
The Treat Tube Tower keeps our dogs engaged for extended periods of time. It's adjustable, easy to move around, and simple to set up. I love that you can adjust the difficulty by utilising the middle tube (more complex) over the others. We've used this interactive toy for months now and there is no apparent damage, even when our dog knocks it over in excitement.
If you have an intelligent dog, they'll be able to figure this toy out quickly, but it doesn't necessarily mean they go through the process quicker. This toy is reliant on a dog's "fine motor skills", which aren't as refined as ours.
Negative Feedback
If you have a larger dog that paws as intended with the Treat Tower Tube, the chance of the toy being knocked over increases significantly. When our 10kg Shiba Inu gets into the groove with pawing, whenever he gets a little bit too enthusiastic, he usually knocks it over. This isn't a huge deal though, as you should be supervising their use of any type of plastic toys, so I can stand it back up. Sometimes I'll use a small weight to keep the tower bottom-heavy.
Is It Worth Buying?
When considering whether the Treat Tube Tower is worth buying, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Engages and entertains dogs.
- Provides mental and physical stimulation.
- Durable and safe materials.
Cons:
- Some dogs may find it too easy.
- It's £14, so a little bit more pricey compared to other toys.
We do think at its current price point, the Treat Tube Tower offers good value for money, especially for dogs that need extra stimulation.
In conclusion, the Pets at Home Treat Tube Tower is, in our opinion, a solid investment for dog owners looking to keep their pets engaged and entertained. Its durable build, interactive design, and ability to provide mental stimulation make it a pretty worthwhile purchase.
While it may not be perfect for every dog, especially those who are quick to solve puzzles, it’s a great addition to any dog’s toy collection. If you’re searching for a toy that can help manage your reactive dog’s behaviour, the Treat Tube Tower is definitely worth considering. You can purchase the Treat Tube Tower directly from Pets At Home.
