Product Review: Kong Safestix

Kong Safestix offers all the fun of playing with a stick, without the risk of splinters and puncture wounds. These fetch toys are durable, throwable, and they float, too! Safestix are available in a variety of colors and sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

Ok, first lets go ahead and say that this thing looks like a sex toy. A lot. You basically can't mention this thing without saying that. They might as well call it "Safestix - Wow That Really Looks Like a Sex Toy".

Now that we have that out of the way, I can say that I'm surprised how much my dogs like this thing. I bought it on clearance and fully expected them to ignore it because it doesn't really do anything. It doesn't squeak or crackle. There's no place to hide treats. It's just a solid hunk of flexible plastic that happens to look incredibly suggestive.

Photo by Erin Koski

For some reason Zip thinks this is an awesome toy to play fetch with. Let's be clear here, this is a fetch toy and not a chew toy. It's pretty durable, flexible enough that I'm not worried about Zip breaking a tooth on it, but tough enough that she doesn't leave marks on it either. Still, it's not a Nylabone or a GoughNut, it's not meant to give your power chewer hours of gnawing pleasure. That's right, I just used the word 'pleasure'.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros

• Flies through the air like a stick
• Doesn't splinter into splinters like a stick
• Floats
• Tough enough to handle some gnawing

Cons

• Is not ubiquitous in nature like a stick
• Will cause your mother-in-law to raise an eyebrow when she sees it on your kitchen floor
• Not actually intended for serious chewing

Bottom Line

This is a nice safe fetch toy that can handle a good gnaw by most dogs. It is standing up well to my low-level power chewer, but it won't survive a real mission of destruction. If your dog is a major toy destroyer, check out my reviews for GoughNuts, Black Kongs, and SodaPup Magnum toys.

Product Review: Planet Dog Orbee-Tuff Carrot

Recreational chewers rejoice, Planet Dog has added this carrot to their Orbee-Tuff Produce line! This tough toy is just the right shape for holding between your paws for a good gnaw. It's tough, smells like peppermint, and is made in the USA. Like all Planet Dog toys, the carrot is guaranteed, so if your dog manages to destroy it, be sure to let them know!

Planet Dog is Awesome

Photo by Erin Koski

I got to see this toy at SuperZoo 2016, and I knew immediately that the girls would love it. (I ended up buying it on Amazon though, so this is not a sponsored review.) The rep I talked to said the company wanted to add a gnawable shape that dogs could hold between their paws like a bone. 

We're on our way to owning their entire Orbee-Tuff Produce line, because the toys are just so cute. Also durable. They last for years, and you can recycle them when you are finally done with them. They all have space to hide treats of various shapes and sizes, and they are light enough to keep you downstairs neighbors happy if your dog is fond of dropping their toys on your hard floors.

Photo by Erin Koski

Pros

• Durable enough for some serious gnawing
• Made in the USA
• Smells like peppermint instead of rubber tires
• Can stuff an entire biscuit in the end
• Seriously adorable
• Guaranteed!

Cons

• Long skinny shape makes it vulnerable to power chewers



Photo by Erin Koski

• Moderate probability of being mistaken for an adult toy (this might be a pro for some)

Bottom Line

The carrot has seen quite a lot of fetch around here, and we haven't managed to kill it yet! Zip is also fond of gnawing it, and the carrot is holding up well. I was worried at first, but so far it has exceeded my expectations. That said, if your dog routinely demolishes black Kongs/Squirrel Dudes/similar toys, you should probably start with something tougher. Or just let Planet Dog know if your dog kills the carrot, because they do have a guarantee.

What's your dog's favorite chew toy?

Product Review: Nylabone Flavor Frenzy Dura Chew Birthday Bone

This completely innocent-looking bone is part of Nylabone's Flavor Frenzy product line. Made from their hard, firm Dura Chew material, it can really stand up to a lot of play. This cake-scented toy is crowned with a cupcake on the tip. Comes in two sizes.

Photo by Erin Koski

There is absolutely nothing wrong with a blotchy purple chew toy shaped like a traditional dog bone at one end, and a cupcake on the other end. Nylabone is just trying out some new things. It's ok to experiment.

The Flavor Frenzy line contains a variety of new shapes, colors, and flavors to stimulate your dog's interest. Most are either food-shaped or bone-shaped, but the Birthday Bone combines both!

Photo by Erin Koski

I have no idea whether or not this bone actually tastes like birthday cake. It doesn't really smell like it, and Sisci showed it the same interest she does every chew toy.

Pros: Fun and festive! Super cute, and definitely doesn't look like anything other than a cake bone. Tough and durable.

Cons: The hard material can form sharp ridges when chewed. Looks more awkward than the Starmark Pickle Pocket when laying on the floor.

Bottom Line: There are several really fantastic people in Nylabone's product design and approval process. Good work, folks.

Product Review: Starmark Treat Dispensing Pickle Pocket

We recently acquired Starmark's Treat Dispensing Pickle Pocket, so get your mind out of the gutter because the toy looks about as bad as the name sounds. This is one of Starmark's ever growing line of toys that hold their ever growing line of proprietary treats. The Pickle Pocket holds Flavor Wave Treats, that fit perfectly in the grooves. It can also hold kibble, soft treats, peanut butter, and whatever else you feel like jamming in there.

Photo by Erin Koski

To be honest, I wasn't expecting this one to be a hit. It looked like too much work without enough payoff. Silly me, both Brisbane and Sisci love it. Briz likes to lick it lovingly. Sisci enjoys carrying it around the house and dropping it on my head while I'm trying to sleep. The Pickle Pocket it very, very heavy.

The Pickle Pocket is also not much of a pocket. The treat slits are pretty narrow and the toy itself is mostly a solid lump of heavy rubber. This means dogs aren't likely to get their jaws caught in it, but it also means the toy isn't intended for serving kibble meals. Pretty much every treat will have to be jammed forcefully in there.

This toy doesn't give up its treasures easily, either. My dogs have been working on a set of three Flavor Wave Treats for a couple of weeks and there's still some bits in there. It's definitely a toy for a very food-motivated dog and not just a casual snacker.

Pros: Very solid and sturdy. Openings are not large enough to present an entrapment hazard. Can use with any kind of food your dog will work for. Banana chips, carrots, kibble, small training treats, applesauce, peanut butter, jerky chews, chunks of big dog biscuits, raw meat, cheeseburgers, anything. Very sturdy, can handle quite a bit of chewing from most dogs.

Cons: Too difficult for dogs that lack motivation. Too large and heavy for little dogs, though 28-lb Sisci loves carrying it around. Attracts a lot of hair and crud. Jamming treats in takes effort and commitment. Hurts a lot when dropped on your head.

Bottom Line: Worthwhile if your have a puzzle-loving genius dog and don't mind awkward questions from visitors who spot it laying on your floor.