The Tricky Treat Ball By Omega Paw

This post contains affiliate links. For details, please read my Disclosure and Disclaimer page.

If you were to ask me what the single best item I’ve ever purchased for Henry is, I would probably say the Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball.

The first several months after his adoption, Henry suffered through heartworm treatment and was not allowed to exercise beyond short walks. Because I couldn’t tire out my year-old terrier physically, I had to tire him out mentally. A trainer recommended the Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball and the rest is history. 

Keep reading to learn why I love the Tricky Treat Ball to help with mental stimulation, slowing Down Mealtime, and separation anxiety!

The Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball

The Tricky Treat Ball is available in three sizes and is made of vinyl. There are several concave circles on its surface and a single hole that is a little less than an inch wide on the Large size. Inside the hole, there is a long, deep lip. As a result, rolling the kibble out takes much more effort than it would take without this lip. 

I am not a trainer or professional by any means, but I have found the Tricky Treat Ball to be useful for:

– Mental Stimulation and Problem Solving

– Slowing Down Mealtime 

– Separation Anxiety

Mental Stimulation

I feed Henry his meals out of the Tricky Treat Ball when I am not using his kibble for training. It keeps him busy for a solid ten minutes. At first, he really had to work to discover the secret behind it, and, almost a year later, I can still see his mental gears turning when he rolls it. It’s definitely one of his favorite times of the day: food AND fun!

Slowing Down Mealtime

Due to its design, the Tricky Treat Ball forces a slow feeding. Only a few kibbles fall out at once, so Henry must really work to earn his whole dinner. Slow feeding can prevent gastric difficulties, and the Tricky Treat Ball offers more interaction, stimulation, and fun than ridged slow-feeding bowls (which can also simply be tipped over). 

Separation Anxiety

I feed Henry breakfast right before I leave for work in the morning. On my way out the door, I give him his Tricky Treat Ball filled with kibble and a Kong stuffed with frozen wet food. He immediately starts rolling the ball and doesn’t even notice that I’m leaving. After he is done with both the ball and the Kong, he curls up and takes a nap. Whenever I step out of the apartment and don’t leave the ball for him, he barks and whines. With the distraction, everything is ok! 

What Else Should I Know?

Please supervise your dog and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. I leave Henry alone with the Tricky Treat Ball every day, but not until after I knew his routine and personality and knew that he wouldn’t chew it. The Tricky Treat Ball could definitely be a choking hazard  if you left a voracious chewer alone with it. Know your dog and exercise caution!

One con is that it is nearly impossible to scrub the inside of the Tricky Treat Ball – when I do need to clean it, I put a little water into it, cover the hole, shake it, drain it, and let it air dry. It also tends to attract dirt from the floor because Henry slobbers on it — notice how dirty it is in the top photo?

The Takeaway

Who would benefit from the Tricky Treat Ball? Anyone with a dog that doesn’t mind working a little bit for his or her food! Henry is noticeable happier and more relaxed after finishing his meal. I bet most dogs could use a little extra fun and challenge. It is one of the best items I’ve ever purchased in my lifetime, and only set me back about $6 from Amazon!

Rating: Four out of four paws!

Cost: Approximately $5-7

Find it at: Amazon, Chewy, Bed Bath & Beyond,  Pet360, Wag.com, and more!