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5 Reasons I Prefer The West Paw Toppl Over The Kong

Stuffable enrichment toys or treat-dispensing toys are a great way to keep your dog happy and engaged and they can replace outside activity when the weather is unfavorable. 

They’re a great option for dogs of all ages and sizes, whether puppies or seniors, and you can totally customize them to your dog’s needs and diet. 

I have quite a few of these toys and while they’re all great, I do prefer the West Paw Toppl over most of them and here’s why. 

The West Paw Toppl Is Easier To Fill

The Toppl has a wide opening at the top so it’s easier to get layers into it.

If I have time I always like to layer our Toppls so it keeps the boys interested. 

dogs licking canine enrichment toy

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With a Kong, I would have used a piping bag (DIY) and it was always hard for me to get it to layer, especially if I was using my homemade peanut butter. 

With the Toppl I can use any size spoon and easily add layers. 

Easier to Clean 

Obviously, if it’s easier to fill, it’s easier to clean with a wide mouth. 

No matter how hard I tried, I feel like I never get the Kong completely clean, even if I’m using a bottle brush or a toothbrush.

I feel like the Toppl is also a better choice for those that raw feed because you can really reach inside to clean all the crevices. 

More Suitable For Dogs With With Wide Muzzles

I know it’s not supposed to be super easy for a dog, but with a Newfie’s wide muzzle, the Toppl just seems more practical for them. 

Even Finn struggles a little with a Kong

Portion Meals

The Toppl is a better choice if you have a fast eater that needs to slow down because it has enough room to portion out meals. 

I do use our large Toppl as a feeder for Lou’s lunch and it works great. 

Versatile

You can attach a small Toppl on top of a large Toppl to make it even more of a challenge for your dog.

It’s a bonus that not many people know about!

Cons Of The Toppl

Durability. 

I do feel as though the Kong is more durable for heavy chewers. 

Finn was able to bite off a section of his which I blame on me because I left it with him when he finished working through it.

West Paw does offer a guarantee which allows you to send back a product should anything happen to it, but I did not do this because it was my fault.

Price.

It’s definitely worth the price in my opinion but if you’re buying for multiple dogs it can get expensive.

What To Fill a Toppl With

The options are endless and really depend on your dog’s diet and how much time you have!

Some people get really creative with their stuffing and others use just one filling.

There’s no wrong way but if you’re struggling for some ideas you can follow the #Toppl on Instagram and check out how creative other dog owners get!

I try to keep ours low fat but some of the stuffings I’ve used are homemade peanut butter, mashed bananas, blueberries & yogurt, homemade applesauce, canned dog food, kibble, salmon treats, meat sticks, honey, pumpkin, shredded chicken, etc…..

West Paw has also recently come out with a filling for the Toppl that they sell in some pet stores. 

The flavors are peanut butter & banana and beef liver & pumpkin

I haven’t tried it yet because our local pet store always runs out!

Layering a West Paw Toppl

layering a west paw toppl

There is a little trick to layering a Toppl if you use different fillings and if you want to keep your dog engaged. 

Teaser (top)

A little taste teaser should go on top. 

This should be something that your dog likes and will keep him interested, such as an apple slice with peanut butter or I often use salmon treats.

Filling (middle)

This should be something that your dog will have to work through.

I’ll usually do a combo of something wet and something crunchy.

Maybe a blueberry+yogurt mixture combined with kibble or crunchy treats.

High value (bottom)

Something your dog loves and he wants to get to like peanut butter or chicken.

And don’t forget to plug the hole with something tasty!

I always freeze ours to make it a bit more of a challenge. 

To avoid messes, I usually place them inside a plastic container to catch any drippings or spills and place them in the freezer. 

It’s important to mention that you don’t want this enrichment toy to become a weight issue for your dog. 

If you’re not using this as a replacement meal, you should be adjusting your dog’s calories somewhere throughout the day and/or use low-fat fillings. 

Also, if you’re introducing a new food as a filling, do it slowly over time so you don’t accidentally cause GI problems.

Where To Buy The West Paw Toppl

I’ve seen the Toppl all around the pet store world!

I normally get ours from a local pet store called Pet People but I’ve also seen them at Petco and Pet Supplies Plus. 

They’re also available online at Chewy and Amazon

Prices seem to be pretty much the same no matter where you buy them. 

And don’t ditch your Kong!

Even though I prefer the Toppl, I still have our Kongs because it’s good to offer your dog a variety of canine enrichment toys!

p.s. This is not a sponsored post, I just really like this product and get questions about it whenever we mention it.

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