Under $50 scores: The West Paw Toppl should replace your dog’s Kong

The West Paw Toppl is essentially a better version of the classic red Kong toy. At $21 to $30 depending on size, the Toppl is more expensive than a Kong, but the benefits easily make the price worth it. I’ve tested Toppl toys and Kongs on various dogs, and the Toppl always comes out on top. Here’s why:

How I found the West Paw Toppl

I found the West Paw Toppl from Bri Benton’s (aka sostarbcs) page on TikTok shortly after I adopted my first dog, Miso. I habitually watched Bri’s enrichment stuffing videos and lives, watching her fill a massive amount of Toppl toys with kibble, raw food and fun toppers for her 10-plus dogs. She regularly put them in the freezer and fed them to her dogs in their crates, giving them extra mental stimulation during mealtime compared to just pouring food into a bowl. She utilized the stuffed, frozen Toppls on busy days when she knew she couldn’t give her dogs as much physical exercise as usual, and I started doing the same with Miso.

I began making similar enrichment meals for Miso in the Kong I already had, but noticed there was always some food left over that she couldn’t get to. I finally gave in and bought a Toppl while it was on sale at Amazon and never looked back. I’ve since bought three more large Toppls and use them for both of my dogs for enrichment. I still have Kongs but find myself reaching for the West Paw version way more often.

Why it’s a score

The Toppl has a much wider mouth than Kongs and other similar stuffable enrichment toys, making it easy to fill and even easier to clean. The main issue with using a Kong as an enrichment toy (especially if you’re stuffing it with frozen kibble or wet dog food) is that often, dogs can’t reach the food in the back of the Kong. That means you’ll likely need to pull out the leftover dog food yourself (gross) when your dog inevitably gives up on it.

I found that because of their small openings, Kongs don’t always get clean in the dishwasher, even when run through multiple cycles. West Paw Toppls, on the other hand, always come out perfectly clean on the first go — that’s also usually because my dogs can get all the food out of the Toppl before it even goes in the wash.

But just because the Toppl has a wider mouth than other enrichment toys doesn’t mean it’s not still a challenge for dogs. When you add soaked kibble, wet dog food, yogurt, chicken broth, peanut butter or any other treat your dog loves into the Toppl and freeze it, it becomes the world’s best slow feeder. Some proof of that: My dog, Miso, usually eats her full bowl of food in about 30 seconds. When I soak the kibble, stuff it into the Toppl and freeze it, it extends mealtime to about an hour. Miso finishes her breakfast activity tired, and I’m happy because I’m free to take video calls or get some work done while the dogs lick their Toppls.

The Toppl is also a good choice for dogs who like edible chews but can’t have them. Whether it’s a medical reason like a sensitive stomach or a safety reason (ie: your dog will choke on a chew), Toppls give dogs similar enrichment in a safer vehicle. If your dog doesn’t digest chews like bully sticks or beef cheek rolls well, you can use their normal food and some water to stuff the toy with.

Another great reason to choose the Toppl over another stuffable enrichment toy is that it fits an entire meal. The large size fits one full cup of dried kibble, which ends up being 2+ cups after it’s soaked in water and expands. You can fit even more if you put dry kibble in first, plug the hole with a Toppl Stopper, and then pour in a liquid like water or bone broth. The Toppl comes in three sizes (small, large, and XL) and the biggest size fits nearly 2 full cups of kibble. You’re bound to find a size that works for the amount of food your dog eats daily.

In addition to freezing a single Toppl with food or treats in it, you can also use two Toppls together for dry food or treat enrichment. The small and large sizes lock together, and the large and XL sizes lock together to create a rolling puzzle toy that drops treats as your dog nudges it around, similar to the Kong Wobbler.

Though West Paw toys are marketed for moderate chewers, I’ve given these toys to chew-happy Malamutes without any damage. If a toy is damaged or isn’t working how you’d like it to, West Paw honors a “love it guarantee.” The brand will replace toys, treats or other accessories once within six months of purchase, as long as you have valid proof of purchase. West Paw will even replace it with something more suited to your dog’s play/chewing style if the first one wasn’t durable enough for them.

Aside from making great dog enrichment toys, I also love that West Paw is a certified B Corp and makes dog products with end-of-life in mind. For example, the Zogoflex material the Toppl is made out of can be repurposed into other Zogoflex toys indefinitely, keeping dog toys out of landfills.

I’ve only experienced a few downsides while using a Toppl. First, if you put in a very wet mixture, it will sometimes ooze out of the side hole before it’s done freezing. I’ve also had my Toppls tip over in the freezer, spilling out some of their contents and making a mess. The best way to get around these problems is by using the brand’s Toppl Stopper — a combination plug and stand that sits in your Toppl while you prep and freeze it. Just remember to take it out before giving the toy to your dog. You can also plug the hole with baby carrots, treats or other food if you don’t have a stopper.

These small qualms aren’t dealbreakers, and the West Paw Toppl is absolutely worth it for any dog who likes enrichment toys, games and puzzles. It’s durable, versatile and way easier to clean than similar products, making it well worth the price for most pet parents.