
Are you ready to transform playtime into a brain-boosting adventure for our furry friends with the best puzzle toys available for just Β£15 at Pets at Home?
Introducing puzzle toys to our dogs’ playtime can transform their daily routine into an engaging and stimulating experience. In this guide, we compare two of the best puzzle toys for dogs to help you make an informed choice for your furry friend.
Overview of Puzzle Toys for Dogs
Puzzle toys are designed to challenge our dogs mentally and keep them entertained. They promote problem-solving skills and provide a healthy outlet for their energy. These toys can prevent boredom, reduce anxiety, and even help with destructive behaviours. In this guide, we will evaluate the Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle and the Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toys – Advanced Level 3, looking at their features, benefits, and suitability for different types of dogs.
Best Playtime

This interactive puzzle toy offers endless fun and engages your dog’s instincts while also being gentle on their teeth. It’s a popular choice among dog owners looking for a combination of play and mental stimulation.
Best Mental Challenge

This advanced-level puzzle toy is perfect for clever dogs looking to be challenged. It helps redirect destructive behaviours while providing hours of rewarding interaction and mental stimulation.
Hide A Squirrel
Nina Ottosson Toy
Hide A Squirrel
Nina Ottosson Toy
Hide A Squirrel
Nina Ottosson Toy
Overview of Puzzle Toys for Dogs
Puzzle toys play a crucial role in our dogsβ development, offering much-needed mental stimulation. As dog owners, we understand that a well-stimulated dog is a happy dog. These toys encourage problem-solving skills, allowing our furry friends to engage their minds and bodies, which helps alleviate boredom and prevents behaviours like chewing or digging that often stem from frustration.
Benefits of Puzzle Toys
What to Look For
When selecting a puzzle toy, consider the following factors:
Taking the time to choose the right puzzle toy is essential, as it can lead to happier, healthier, and better-behaved dogs. With options available on platforms like Amazon UK and Pets at Home, we have the best tools at our disposal to enrich our dogs’ lives!
Product 1: Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle, XL
The Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel Plush Dog Toy Puzzle is a delightful addition to our dogsβ playtime, specifically designed to engage their natural instincts and provide hours of fun. Priced at around Β£18 on Amazon UK, this toy consists of a plush tree trunk and six squeaky squirrels that our dogs can hunt down and retrieve.
Features
Benefits
Target Audience
This toy is particularly effective for dogs that enjoy interactive play but might not be heavy chewers. We found it especially appealing for younger dogs who love to explore and discover hidden treasures.
Overall, the Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel toy blends fun, interactivity, and mental stimulation, ensuring our furry friends have a blast while indulging their predatory instincts.
Product 2: Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toys – Advanced Level 3
The Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toys – Advanced Level 3 is a fantastic choice for owners seeking to engage their dogβs brain in a fun and stimulating way. Priced at approximately Β£21 on Amazon UK, this puzzle toy is designed for dogs that are ready to tackle more complex challenges.
Design and Functionality
Effectiveness for Mental Stimulation
Personal Review
In our experience, we found that dogs who initially showed reluctance became incredibly enthusiastic as they figured out how to unlock their treats. However, itβs worth noting that the toy may be too easy for more seasoned puzzle players. We highly recommend supervision during use to ensure safe play, but overall, we believe the Advanced Level 3 toy offers an enriching experience that keeps our pups happy and stimulated.
Comparative Analysis: Which Puzzle Toy is Right for Your Dog?
When considering which puzzle toy is best suited for our furry companions, several factors come into play, including features, suitability for different dog breeds and sizes, ease of use, and overall value.
Features Comparison
Suitability for Dogs
Ease of Use and Value
Ultimately, if our dogs are in need of a simple and interactive playtime experience, then the Hide A Squirrel is a perfect choice. For those that require a higher level of challenge, the Nina Ottosson toy is ideal for keeping sharp minds engaged. Choosing the right toy depends on your dog’s personality and play preferences, so evaluating their needs will guide us in making the best purchase decision.
Feature Comparison Chart
Final Verdict: Choosing the Best Puzzle Toy for Your Dog
After our in-depth comparison, we believe the Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Interactive Dog Toy (Β£21) is the superior choice for intelligent dogs needing mental stimulation. However, if you have a playful pup that enjoys interactive plush toys, the Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel (Β£18) is an excellent alternative. Which puzzle will you choose to keep your dog engaged and happy?


I just got the Outward Hound Hide A Squirrel toy for my golden retriever, and she can’t get enough! π It’s adorable watching her dig those little squirrels out. Anyone else tried it? How long do your pups stay entertained? Mine has been at it for a solid 30 minutes!
Glad to hear youβre both enjoying it! The Hide A Squirrel really gets them thinking. πΆβ¨ But just a heads up, some dogs can be quite the destroyers!
We have it too! My lab destroys the squirrels in like 10 minutes, but at least it keeps him smiling, lol! π
I really love how these toys are not only fun but they foster mental engagement. My dog has been a lot less hyper since we got one. But I do wish they were a bit more durable. My puppy has started chewing through some of the plush on the Hide A Squirrel. Anyone else experienced that?
Yeah, my last plush toy ended up as fluff in no time! Stick with the puzzles for something that lasts longer.
Durability can be an issue with plush toys, unfortunately. The Nina Ottosson ones are generally tougher!
These toys seem cool, but I wonder if the price is worth it? I mean, can I just use a cardboard box and some treats at home? π§
True, but nothing beats the squeaky sounds of plush toys! π
DIY is definitely a fun route! But these toys are designed for specific mental challenges that a box alone may not provide. Totally a value for some dogs!
Been thinking about switching to the Nina Ottosson puzzle toys because my dog is way too smart for just squeaky toys. π€ Does anyone know how challenging they actually are? My pup solved a basic one in under a minute. π₯΄
Yeah, level 3 is serious business! My dog figured out level 2 in no time, so I jumped to 3, and wow, it really made him think! Just make sure to supervise initially.
The Nina Ottosson toys vary in levels. The Level 3 is definitely more challenging than basic ones! It’ll keep your pup busy for longer, I believe!
Has anyone combined these toys with treat training? I often see my dog becoming attached to the toys instead of using them for food motivation. π
I started adding some peanut butter inside the Nina toys, my dog loves it! He started thinking more when food was involved! π