Outward Hound Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado Dog Toy Treat Puzzle, 9.8"

Why it's worth it

The Nina Ottosson Dog Tornado is a Level 2 spinning puzzle with stacked layers of treat compartments and removable bone-shaped covers. It holds half a cup of kibble, so you can serve an entire meal through it instead of a bowl.

Most puzzle toys are a one-trick novelty. This one earns daily use because it works as a feeding vessel. Pour half a cup of your dog's regular kibble into the compartments, spin the layers shut, and breakfast becomes a ten-minute problem instead of a nine-second inhale. That's genuinely useful if you've got a gulper or a dog who needs to lose a few pounds.

The difficulty is adjustable, and you'll need that. The Tornado ships with white bone-shaped caps that plug individual compartments, plus a tips sheet for making it harder. Owners of smart dogs report their pups solving the open configuration on the first try, then needing the caps to stay interested. Good Housekeeping's testing found the Tornado held dogs' attention about 12 minutes per session — longer than any other non-electronic puzzle they looked at.

From our review of 7 interactive dog toys, by James Bennett, Associate Editor

What we like

• +Most puzzle toys are a one-trick novelty
• +The difficulty is adjustable, and you'll need that
• +It's sturdy plastic with rubber feet, and it cleans up with a rinse
• +It's also a good fit for a senior dog

What to know

• –Clever dogs flip it. The rubber feet keep it from sliding, but they don't anchor it, and more than a few owners report their dog…
• –Some owners find the bone caps fit too tightly, which stops the layers from spinning freely