We're back after our holiday hiatus and eager to share some new toy experiences. Our reviewers have not been idle and have been dutifully testing, testing, testing. Our guest reviewers have also been busy checking out some new things. As mentioned at Christmas, Lil Mac Vida volunteered to help us out by testing the Fun Kitty Twist 'N Treat by Premier. Premier Pet Products (www.premier.com) offers a wide range of toys and gear for dogs and cats. They are primarily known for their treat dispensing "Busy Buddy" dog toys recognizable by their purple hue. Today we are reviewing a product from their "Fun Kitty" line.
The Twist 'N Treat is a treat dispensing toy for cats. I'm excited about this toy for a couple of reasons. Sure, it can just be a toy for your kitty and a fun way for you as an owner to give treats. What makes the Twist 'N Treat important is that it can function as a food dispenser similar to the canine Kong toy. There are instructions with the toy outlining how to get your cat to enjoy working for his or her meals. Cats are hunters and it can be argued that free-feeding or grazing on food throughout the day is a more natural way for them to eat. How about letting them hunt for their meals by introducing a toy that will dispense treats while being batted around? You can even hide multiple Twist 'N Treats around the house for your cat to "hunt" after they're up to speed on how it works. As I mentioned, Premier gives you a guide on how to get started and a timeline for getting your cat comfortable with the new feeding method. It's about time that some thought was given to environmental enrichment for cats beyond the obligatory cat trees and furry mice.
Enough about the background of the product. Let's talk about how it actually functions. The toy itself is hard plastic and turquoise in color. It consists of two halves that screw together leaving a hollow cavity that can be filled with kibble or treats. Each half has two indentations that when properly aligned form two openings from which treats can escape. The tighter the halves are screwed together, the smaller the openings are and the more difficult it is for treats to exit. The directions instruct the owner to initially set the openings wide so that your cat gets an easy payoff. After your cat gets focused on the treat delivery you can make the openings smaller so he or she has to work a little harder. The shape of the toy when closed is almost like that of a child's toy top and is readily able to be spun, batted and flung around on the floor. In the first video below Lil Mac Vida shows how to approach the Twist 'N Treat and gently coax it to give up it's treasure. In the second video Mack and Pinkie show how the toy functions on a tile floor.
My reviewers rate this toy an Excellent for Playability. The shape of the toy makes it easy to maneuver and the amount of treats dispensed can be controlled. The interior of the toy holds a little bit more than 1/8 cup of kibble so your cat can't get into too much trouble even if the toy is stuffed. Durability is Excellent as it can withstand vigorous cat play and can also be washed and dried (no heat) in the dishwasher. Safety is Excellent as there are no bits for the cat to chew off and ingest. Just make sure that in using the Twist 'N Treat you don't make it available to your dog as it is not dog proof. Premier states that the toy is not considered to be "indestructible"and they advise you to "supervise your pet during initial play." They also recommend inspecting the toy regularly and to "replace if excessive damage is detected."
The Twist 'N Treat is a must have for the Toy Chest as much for it's immediate fun as for it's potential to make a cat's life a little more exciting. We are glad that Premier made this version expressly for cats as a rubber dog version exists in their dog product line. As if the product didn't do enough, they proclaim that it is "Also awesome with catnip." Well, what isn't?
