This is a unique toy that combines several existing ideas in a new and innovative way. The toy is a malleable rubber tube, that smells sweet. One end has a small hole, and the other has a flexible opening. They come in two sizes, small (shown) and large. Both are designed to be stuffed with water or pop bottles, the small with an 8oz mini bottle, the large with a standard 16.9 oz bottle. Many dogs and almost all puppies love the feel and sound of crunching plastic. Crinkits allow for this pleasurable activity, without the risk of the dog ingesting plastic, and with the added rubbery texture for maximum tooth-grip. The water bottle can be filled for a fun sloshy outdoor game, and even frozen for hot dogs or teething puppies. Additionally, you can use the toy sans-bottle as a treat or kibble dispenser.
I thought it would be interesting to test this toy on Miles, who is drawn towards squeaky furry toys and hard treat stuff-able toys, and on Ziggy, who gravitates towards hard balls and noisy toys. Miles and Ziggy are best friends with very different preferences, which makes them a good test group. First I wanted to see if they’d enjoy playing together with Crinkits. I knew it would be a good test, because they love each other so much that only a really fun toy can keep their interest when they are together. The funniest part was that when I pulled out the toys, Anka gave a skeptical look. First of all, they looked plain, and second of all, despite being smalls, they seemed huge compared to Ziggy’s mouth. I should have put a bet on it before I put the toys down…
Miles & Ziggy play with bottle-stuffed Crinkits
Ziggy took his blue Crinkit home. Despite going for incredibly long walks every day, he tends to get restless before bedtime. Anka said that evenings have been great lately, because instead of Ziggy constantly dropping the ball in her lap, he sits by the end of the couch “crunch, crunch, crunching” his bottle-stuffed Crinkit. Miles took his pink one home, and I am now using it to feed him his dinner, and filling it with treats when I am busy and would rather he be occupied than underfoot. Does it sound silly that the gentle “bop, bop” sounds of Miles having a great time brings a smile to my face?
Miles plays with a treat-stuffed Crinkit
A new favorite
As Anka learned, the unassuming-looking toys are often the most impressive and end up being the go-to toys. Crinkits are fantastically versatile. They are irresistible to dogs when stuffed with a crunchy water bottle. You can also stuff them with a furry toy (I like to stuff Miles’ with a squirrel toy with only the tail sticking out), or thread them onto a rope toy to make an extra squishy and durable tug. What surprised me most is that as a treat-stuffable toy, Crinkits hit all of the bases: they are quiet (apartment-friendly), easy to fill, easy to empty and clean, and they dispense food at a nice pace. Crinkits definetely hold a place beside the Treatstik, my other favorite treat/meal dispensing toy.
In function, versatility, ease of use, and appeal to dogs, Crinkits get a solid 10/10 by me, Anka, Miles and Ziggy.
Love it! Gotta get our Welsh one! Thanks.
Gail your wild wiry will definetely like this one. It is as if they made it with Welsh terriers in mind.
Where can I buy another crinkit? My dog had one for years but my grand dog got a hold of it and chewed it up.