The West Paw Toppl takes a different approach to treat-dispensing enrichment. Instead of relying mainly on bouncing, wobbling, or a complicated puzzle mechanism, it gives dogs an open-ended cavity that can be filled with food, treats, soft foods, or frozen mixtures.
That simple design makes the Toppl unusually flexible. You can use it as a lickable enrichment toy, frozen food puzzle, slow feeder, or even combine two different sizes to create a rolling treat challenge.
DogToyChoice may earn a commission when you purchase through qualifying Amazon links. This does not change the price you pay and does not affect our editorial assessment.
The West Paw Toppl is one of the more versatile treat-dispensing toys for dogs that enjoy licking, working for food, and solving simple food-based challenges. Its biggest advantage is flexibility: you can change the filling, freeze it for a longer challenge, use it as a slow feeder, or connect two sizes together.
Flexible
Adjustable
Zogoflex
Enrichment
What Is the West Paw Toppl?
More Than a Basic Treat Dispenser
The West Paw Toppl is an enrichment toy designed around a large, accessible interior cavity. Rather than dispensing treats only through a small opening, the Toppl allows food to remain visible and reachable while still requiring the dog to lick, paw, manipulate, and work around the toy.
This makes the experience different from products such as the KONG Wobbler or KONG Gyro. Those toys are primarily built around movement and dispensing food as the toy is pushed or rolled. The Toppl can move, but its strongest feature is the ability to customize how difficult the food is to access.
A Multi-Use Enrichment Format
West Paw describes Toppl as a multi-use enrichment toy that can be filled, frozen, twisted together, chased, and enjoyed. The company also positions it as a slow-feeding option, which gives the toy more than one practical use around the home.
That versatility is important because the same toy can be adapted as a dog’s experience changes. A beginner can receive an easy-to-reach filling, while a more experienced dog can be given a frozen mixture or a combination of two Toppls.
West Paw Toppl Design and Materials
Zogoflex Construction
The Toppl is made from West Paw’s Zogoflex material. The manufacturer describes the toy as safe and non-toxic and states that it contains no BPA, latex, phthalates, or silicone. West Paw also describes the material as recyclable and manufactured in Bozeman, Montana.
From a practical standpoint, the material gives the Toppl a firm but flexible feel rather than the hard plastic construction found in some food puzzles. That flexibility is useful because the toy can be squeezed and manipulated somewhat while still holding its general shape.
Designed for Moderate Chewers
One important detail is West Paw’s durability classification. The Toppl is listed as being built for moderate chewers, not as one of the company’s toughest chew toys.
That distinction matters when choosing it for an individual dog. A dog that gently licks and paws at enrichment may use the Toppl very differently from a dog that immediately treats every rubber toy as something to destroy.
How the West Paw Toppl Works
Fill It With Food or Treats
The simplest way to use a Toppl is to place food or dog-safe treats inside the cavity and allow your dog to work them out. This turns an ordinary snack into a small enrichment activity.
The advantage is that the filling can be changed frequently. Kibble can create a straightforward food puzzle, while softer foods can encourage more licking. You can also combine textures to make the experience less predictable.
Freeze It for a Longer Challenge
Freezing is one of the Toppl’s most useful features. West Paw specifically recommends filling the toy with wet treats and freezing it for a longer-lasting challenge.
Freezing changes the difficulty without requiring a different toy. A soft filling that is immediately accessible becomes much more resistant once frozen. This gives owners an easy way to adjust enrichment time according to the dog’s experience and the type of food used.
Connect Two Toppls for Another Challenge
Another distinctive feature is the ability to interlock different sizes. West Paw states that Small and Large Toppls can be connected, as can Large and XL versions. Once connected, the pair can become a treat-dispensing puzzle that the dog can chase around.
This makes the Toppl more expandable than a single-purpose food toy. Instead of buying a completely different puzzle, you can change the configuration and increase the challenge.
West Paw Toppl Size Guide
Small, Large, and XL Options
West Paw currently lists three Toppl sizes. The Small measures approximately 2.5 × 3 × 3 inches and holds about 1/4 cup. The Large measures approximately 3.5 × 4 × 3.5 inches and holds about 3/4 cup. The XL measures approximately 3.75 × 4.75 × 4.75 inches and holds about 1 1/4 cups.
Is the Large Toppl a Good Starting Point?
The Large is particularly interesting because it sits in the middle of the current size range and holds approximately 3/4 cup. The Amazon listing supplied for this review is the Large Granny Smith variant.
However, capacity alone should not determine the correct size. A dog’s mouth shape, eating style, ability to reach inside the cavity, and overall interaction with enrichment toys should all be considered. West Paw also notes that larger Toppl sizes can be preferable for dogs with flatter faces.
Think About Your Dog’s Behavior, Not Just Weight
Breed or body weight can provide a starting point, but behavior is equally important. A dog that calmly licks food from a toy may be comfortable with one size, while another dog may need a larger opening for easier access.
If you are uncertain, compare the manufacturer’s current dimensions with your dog’s mouth size and feeding behavior rather than selecting a size solely because your dog falls into a particular weight category.
West Paw Toppl for Mental Stimulation and Slow Feeding
Turning Mealtime Into Enrichment
One of the strongest reasons to consider the Toppl is that it can change the way a dog receives food. Instead of placing an entire meal in a conventional bowl, some of the food can be presented through the toy.
This adds interaction to feeding without requiring an elaborate electronic device or a complicated multi-step puzzle. The dog has to investigate the toy and manipulate the food rather than simply consuming everything from an open bowl.
Useful for Dogs That Enjoy Licking and Working for Food
The Toppl’s open cavity makes it particularly suitable for dogs that enjoy licking food from enrichment toys. Soft fillings can spread around the interior, while freezing can make access progressively slower.
This is also where the Toppl differs from some rolling treat dispensers. With a rolling dispenser, the primary behavior is often pushing the toy around to make food fall out. With Toppl, licking and manipulating the food itself can be a major part of the experience.
A Flexible Option for Different Enrichment Levels
Beginners can start with an easily accessible filling. Once the dog understands how the toy works, the owner can increase difficulty by using thicker fillings, freezing the contents, or connecting two Toppls.
That progression can be more useful than a toy with only one fixed difficulty level because the enrichment can evolve as the dog becomes more familiar with the format.
Cleaning and Everyday Practicality
Top-Rack Dishwasher Safe
Cleaning is one of the practical advantages of the Toppl. West Paw states that the toy is safe to place on the top rack of a dishwasher.
That matters with food-filled toys because residue can build up inside cavities and around textured surfaces. A toy that is easy to clean is generally easier to incorporate into a regular enrichment routine.
Hand Washing Is Still Useful
Dishwasher compatibility does not mean every cleaning situation requires a dishwasher. For quick daily use, rinsing and washing by hand can be convenient, especially when the filling was relatively simple.
West Paw recommends allowing Zogoflex toys to dry completely between uses. The company also cautions that unusually high dishwasher heat can damage or melt these materials, so owners should pay attention to their dishwasher’s settings.
Freezer-Friendly Use Adds Convenience
The ability to use the Toppl in the freezer is another practical feature. You can prepare an enrichment toy ahead of time, freeze the filling, and have it ready when needed.
This can be particularly convenient for owners who want to prepare several enrichment portions in advance rather than assembling a toy from scratch every time.
West Paw Toppl Pros and Cons
What We Like About the Toppl
Can be filled, frozen, used as a slow feeder, or combined with another Toppl.
The filling and preparation method can change the challenge level.
The manufacturer states that Toppl is top-rack dishwasher safe.
Small, Large, and XL options provide different capacities and dimensions.
Potential Drawbacks to Consider
West Paw classifies Toppl for moderate chewers, so it should not be treated as a heavy-chewer toy.
Frozen enrichment requires planning and freezer space.
The wrong size may be less comfortable or less useful for a particular dog.
Its main purpose is food-based enrichment rather than focused chewing.
Who Is the West Paw Toppl Best For?
Dogs That Enjoy Food-Based Enrichment
The Toppl makes the most sense for dogs that are motivated by food and enjoy working for part of their meal or treats. The open design gives them a clear reward while still requiring interaction.
It can also work well for owners who want one enrichment toy that can be used in several different ways instead of maintaining a large collection of specialized puzzles.
Owners Who Want Adjustable Difficulty
The ability to change the filling, freeze the toy, or connect two Toppls means the owner controls much of the difficulty. That flexibility can be useful in multi-dog homes or households with dogs that have different enrichment preferences.
Who May Want Something Different?
A Toppl may not be the right first choice for a dog that primarily wants to chew hard and aggressively. West Paw explicitly classifies it as a moderate-chewer toy, while the company’s toughest toys include products such as Qwizl, Tux, Jive, Rumpus, and Hurley.
It may also be less interesting to dogs that prefer active ball play and have little interest in food-based enrichment.
West Paw Toppl vs. Other Treat-Dispensing Toys
Toppl vs. KONG Wobbler
The KONG Wobbler is built around an upright wobbling and rolling action. It dispenses food when pushed or moved and can also be used as an alternative to a conventional food bowl. The Toppl approaches enrichment differently by emphasizing filling, licking, freezing, and customizable difficulty.
If your dog enjoys chasing and pushing a large food dispenser around the floor, a Wobbler-style toy may provide a different experience. If your dog enjoys licking frozen food or working through a filled cavity, Toppl’s design is more directly suited to that activity.
Toppl vs. KONG Gyro
The KONG Gyro relies more heavily on rolling and flipping to release food. Toppl can also become a rolling challenge when two pieces are connected, but its primary appeal is the open-ended filling system.
This distinction is important for SEO shoppers comparing these products: Toppl is not simply another rolling treat ball. Its biggest differentiator is how many different enrichment formats can be created from the same basic toy.
Toppl vs. West Paw Qwizl
The Qwizl is designed around holding treats such as bully sticks and dental chews and is categorized by West Paw as a toy for tough chewers.
Toppl is more focused on soft and frozen food enrichment and is classified for moderate chewers. That makes the two products complementary rather than interchangeable.
Is the West Paw Toppl Worth It?
The Case for Buying a Toppl
The strongest argument for the West Paw Toppl is versatility. It is not locked into a single method of play. You can use it with dry food, soft food, frozen mixtures, slow-feeding routines, or another Toppl.
Its three available sizes also make it easier to select a capacity that fits the dog and the type of enrichment being prepared. The Large version in particular offers a useful middle ground with approximately 3/4 cup of capacity according to West Paw’s current specifications.
Reasons to Think Twice
The Toppl is not a universal solution for every dog. If your primary goal is a toy specifically designed for intense chewing, its moderate-chewer classification should be taken seriously.
It also works best when owners are willing to experiment with fillings and preparation. Dogs that are not food motivated or that strongly prefer chasing conventional toys may not get as much value from it.
Our Overall Assessment
Based on its design, manufacturer specifications, cleaning options, size range, and different ways of using it, the West Paw Toppl stands out as a flexible enrichment option rather than a conventional chew toy.
For dogs that enjoy licking, food puzzles, frozen treats, and working for meals, the ability to adjust the challenge without changing toys is a meaningful advantage. For powerful chewers, however, owners should consider products specifically classified for tougher chewing behavior.
The West Paw Toppl is a highly adaptable food-enrichment toy with multiple filling options, freezer use, three sizes, and the ability to connect two Toppls together. Its main limitation is that it is intended for moderate chewers rather than dogs that need the toughest possible chew toy.
Is the West Paw Toppl a chew toy?
It is primarily an enrichment and treat-dispensing toy. West Paw classifies it as being built for moderate chewers, so it should not be treated as an indestructible chew toy.
Can you freeze a West Paw Toppl?
Yes. West Paw specifically recommends filling Toppl with wet treats and freezing it to create a longer-lasting enrichment challenge.
Is West Paw Toppl dishwasher safe?
Yes. West Paw states that Toppl is top-rack dishwasher safe. The manufacturer also recommends drying toys completely between uses.
What sizes does the West Paw Toppl come in?
The current Toppl range includes Small, Large, and XL. They hold approximately 1/4 cup, 3/4 cup, and 1 1/4 cups respectively.
Can two West Paw Toppls be connected?
Yes. West Paw says Small and Large Toppls can interlock, as can Large and XL Toppls. This creates another treat-dispensing configuration that dogs can chase.
Is the West Paw Toppl good for mental stimulation?
It is designed for food-based enrichment and can encourage dogs to lick, manipulate, and work for access to food. Freezing and connecting two Toppls can increase the challenge.
Is the West Paw Toppl good for aggressive chewers?
It may not be the appropriate choice for dogs that aggressively destroy toys. West Paw categorizes Toppl for moderate chewers, while some of its other products are specifically placed in tougher-chewer categories.
For dogs that enjoy food-based enrichment, licking, frozen treats, and adjustable challenges, the Toppl offers several ways to turn ordinary meals and snacks into interactive activities.
Product specifications can change by manufacturer or listing. Always check the current product information and inspect dog toys regularly for damage before use.