Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy – Complete Review for Curious Dogs | FetchyFriends
The Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy is one of the best-selling interactive plush toys for dogs — and in this review, we’ll explore what makes it so engaging and fun for your furry friend.
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Last Updated on May 13, 2025
🐿️ Overview of the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy
The Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy is a soft and interactive toy designed to challenge your dog’s mind and keep them happily entertained indoors. With plush squirrels to hide and discover, it turns simple playtime into a problem-solving adventure.
Loved by curious dogs and their humans, this toy is ideal for small to medium breeds that enjoy plush textures and mental stimulation. Its unique hide-and-seek format helps reduce boredom while encouraging natural instincts.
🐿️ Key Features of the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy
What Makes This Toy a Bestseller
- Interactive hide-and-seek design: Includes a plush tree trunk and multiple squeaky squirrels your dog can find and pull out.
- Mental stimulation: Encourages your dog to use their nose and brain to uncover the hidden squirrels.
- Soft and safe: Made with plush, non-toxic materials ideal for gentle chewers and cuddly pets.
- Multiple sizes available: Comes in various sizes (Junior to Ginormous) to suit dogs of different breeds and activity levels.
- Great for solo or shared play: Perfect for indoor fun and bonding games between dog and owner.
✅ Pros & ❌ Cons
✅ Pros
- Excellent for mental stimulation and problem-solving
- Soft, squeaky squirrels are fun and safe for indoor play
- Encourages natural hunting instincts
- Available in different sizes for all dog breeds
- Perfect for solo play or bonding time with owners
❌ Cons
- Not designed for aggressive chewers
- Squirrels may get damaged with rough play
- May require supervision with highly energetic dogs
- Can become repetitive for dogs who prefer variety
- Not ideal for outdoor use (plush material absorbs moisture)
📦 What’s in the Box?
When you open the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy, you’ll find a soft tree trunk plush along with multiple squeaky squirrel toys inside. The number of squirrels varies by size (Small, Medium, Large), providing an appropriate challenge based on your dog’s size and play style.
🧸 Designed for Safe Indoor Play
Each squirrel is made with soft, durable fabric and a built-in squeaker to keep your pup engaged. The plush tree trunk includes multiple holes to hide and retrieve the squirrels — turning every play session into a mini puzzle adventure. It’s lightweight, washable, and safe for indoor use.
📏 Available Sizes – Which One Fits Your Dog?
🐶 Small
- ✅ 3 squeaky squirrels
- ✅ Ideal for small breeds
- ✅ Compact & easy to carry
🐕 Medium
- ✅ 6 squeaky squirrels
- ✅ Fits most dogs
- ✅ Best value for average pups
🐕🦺 Large
- ✅ 6 larger squirrels
- ✅ Better for big breeds
- ✅ More space & fun
⚙️ How Does the Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Work?
The Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy is simple yet stimulating. To begin with, just stuff the squeaky squirrels inside the plush tree trunk and let your dog sniff, paw, and pull them out one by one. As a result, this interactive game engages your pup’s natural hunting instincts and satisfies their curiosity.
After the squirrels are out, your dog can enjoy them as individual plush toys — each with a fun squeaker inside. Furthermore, you can refill the tree trunk to restart the challenge anytime. Overall, it’s the perfect combination of hide-and-seek and cuddly fun!
🎬 Real-Life Performance Test
To truly understand how the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy performs, we tested it with curious pups in a real-life setting. As shown in the demo, the toy’s plush design and squeaky squirrels captured the dogs’ attention instantly — encouraging them to sniff, dig, and pull out the hidden surprises one by one.
Overall, the Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy turns a simple play session into a mentally stimulating adventure. It promotes natural hunting instincts and keeps pets engaged for longer periods — making it an excellent tool for both enrichment and bonding time.
🏡 Best Use Cases for the Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy
The Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy is ideal for dogs that love soft toys, mental stimulation, and nose work. Whether you’re looking for a way to keep your pup occupied indoors or simply want to add variety to their toy box, this plush puzzle delivers interactive fun in a gentle, non-destructive format.
✅ Recommended Use Scenarios
- ✅ Ideal for: Dogs that enjoy plush toys, sniffing games, or gentle indoor play
- 🚫 Not recommended for: Heavy chewers or dogs that destroy soft toys quickly
- 🎯 Best scenario: Rainy days, crate training, or when you need your dog to stay calm and focused
🏁 Final Verdict: Is the Hide-A-Squirrel Worth It?
A Fun and Stimulating Puzzle for Curious Pups
If your dog loves plush toys and sniffing out hidden treasures, the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy is a fantastic pick. Its engaging design, multiple squeaky squirrels, and puzzle-based interaction make it a favorite among both dogs and their owners.
While it’s not built for aggressive chewers, it excels as an indoor toy that promotes problem-solving and reduces boredom. Whether used for solo play or interactive sessions, this toy adds fun and enrichment to your dog’s routine — and that’s worth every squeak.
⭐ Our Rating: 4.8 / 5
🧼 Cleaning & Maintenance Tips
Keeping your Hide-A-Squirrel Puzzle Toy clean is simple and ensures your dog stays safe and healthy during play. The plush squirrels and tree trunk can be spot cleaned with mild soap and warm water to remove dirt or saliva. For a deeper clean, place the toy pieces in a mesh laundry bag and wash them on a gentle cycle. Let all components air dry completely before giving them back to your pup.
To maintain its durability, avoid using the toy with heavy chewers or in outdoor environments where it may get muddy or torn. Regular cleaning helps preserve the squeakers inside and extends the life of the toy.
