Puzzle Toy Review: The Ethical Pet SPOT Seek-a-Treat Slide 'n Swivel

The SPOT Seek-a-Treat Slide 'n' Swivel by Ethical Pet is a board game style puzzle toy for dogs. The toy has a total of eight different hidey holes for treats, covered by sliding and swiveling lids. The center sliders are particularly challenging as they all slide into the space in the middle and therefore only one can be opened at a time. The Slide 'n Swivel has puzzle-piece attachment points on each side that allow it to be connected to other puzzles for more fun. Ethical Pet makes one other puzzle with this feature, the Flip 'n Slide.

Photo by Erin Koski

Brisbane figured out this toy right away, as usual. The only issue we had was that he was quite certain the blue sliders were meant to be pulled off with his teeth. They have openings that allow him to see and smell the food, and also to get a good grip and yank. Close supervision was required so I could redirect him when he really looked like he might break the thing.

Puzzle Toy Review

Capacity: 1/5
Each compartment holds a few kibbles, I might be able to get a little more than a quarter cup in here. This is definitely an interactive project and not for independent play.

Loading Speed: 5/5
It's really, really easy to load up a tiny amount of kibble.

Unloading Speed (standard dog): 4/5
This was the first board game puzzle Sisci has encountered, and it took her several minutes to figure it out.

Unloading Speed )superdog): 1/5
Even with his desire to rip off the blue sliders, Brisbane emptied this toy in mere minutes. The photo above was the first time he had ever seen the Slide 'n Swivel, and he figured it out immediately.

Size: 3/5
This toy is not heavy and does not have any large moving parts, even Ru would be able to use it if he actually liked food. Briz and Sisci were both able to use it easily, but they could also lift and toss it if they felt inclined. A large dog may have trouble moving the small parts.

Durability: 2/5
It held up to some light biting and pulling, but the plastic feels pretty flimsy and I'm not sure how well it will hold up to further abuse.

Noise: 2/5
It slides along my hard floors, and rattles a little bit. The plastic is much harder and noisier than our other puzzles.

Locatability: 5/5
Close supervision means we never lose it.

Washability: 3/5
All the small moving parts make it a bit annoying to clean, but I can reach all the nooks and crannies to get it really clean.

Versatility: 4/5
We borrowed this one from our friend Xhuuya the raven, she likes all the little moving bits and foraging for nuts. Medium and large parrots can probably use it, and rats and ferrets may also enjoy it.

Total: 30/50