Product Review: Starmark Treat Dispensing Football

Starmark's Treat Dispensing Football is a crunching toy that can be filled with treats for added fun. It is, or was, available in two different sizes, but does not currently appear on the company's website.

Photo by Erin Koski

The girls got this toy for Christmas because I found it in a clearance bin, but so far it has been a major hit. It makes a crackling noise similar to the Kong Squeezz Crackle Ball, but is much, much more durable. IT is currently the favored fetch toy in the house, and they haven't managed to fetch it to death yet.

There are a lot of reviews of this toy that mention dogs being able to pull the treat-dispensing bits out of the ends. It's possible that is why the ball is not currently described on Starmark's website.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros

• Makes a crunchy sound
• Pretty durable, will handle endless squishing/crunching
• Can be stuffed with treats

Cons

• Treat-dispensing ends may be easy to rip off (my dogs have not though)

Bottom Line

As a fetch toy, this thing is pretty awesome. We've had it for over two months and they have not managed to fetch it to death yet. It might be the most durable crackle toy out there.

Product Review: Kong Squeezz Crackle Ball

The Kong Squeezz Crackle Ball is a new take on Kong's translucent toy line. It's a firm ball with a good solid crackle when squeezed firmly. There's no squeak, and the sound it makes is not particularly loud or jarring. Other toys in the line include a dumbbell, bone, and stick.

Photo by Erin Koski

This ball is unique among our vast toy collection. It doesn't squeak, and it manages to be flexible, firm, and crackly all at the same time. Sort of like a plastic soda bottle inside a rubber Halloween mask. Does that make sense?

Of course, Brisbane can't stand crackly toys so he won't touch the Crackle Ball. Sisci, on the other hand, thinks it is marvelous. It's bigger than a tennis ball, so it's not a choking hazard for large breed dogs.

Photo by Erin Koski

Though it's made by Kong, it's important to distinguish between the company's 'interactive' toy lines, and their classic rubber toys. Like the Jumbler, Tuff N' Lite Pig, and the Squeezz Jels, this is a toy that is intended for supervised, interactive play between you and your dog. It is not meant to be gnawed lovingly for hours, or left with your power chewer while you are at work.

Pros: Provides a unique sensation when chomped. Big enough for big dogs to enjoy. Makes a fun and appealing sound that won't interrupt your important business phone call.

Cons: There seem to be durability issues, many users have reported that the flexible outer skin inevitably splits at the seams.

Bottom Line: Great for non-destructive dogs that like to fetch, catch, and carry their toys around. Not so great for dogs that destroy toys on a regular basis.