Customer Reviews

Buster Food Cube Large Size (Colors May Vary)

5 star:		(43)
4 star:		(31)
3 star:		(18)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

We have a Buster cube, a Pawprints giggle treat ball, and several Kongs (and similar toys). Our smart mutt (who seems to be some kind of herding dog) loves this toy. I pull it out whenever he seems bored or depressed. It has never failed to cheer him up. He immediately starts playing with the cube, usually for 15 minutes to about 40 minutes at a time.

Our lab has never figured the Buster Cube out, though. We bought a Pawprints treat ball (easier to use than the Buster Cube) for the lab but he chewed it up to get the treats out instead of hitting it around. (He did learn to hit the Pawprints treat ball around after we taped the hole he chewed in it but he gives up pretty quickly.)

Our mutt likes all kinds of treat toys but he likes the Buster Cube the best bc it's the most challenging. He'll play with it for about a while, then come back later (if we put more treats in ;). He likes the other treat cubes, too, but generally gets bored with them faster than he does the Buster Cube.

The cube is very durable. We've had the same one for several years. Our lab hasn't chewed through the Buster Cube in the 3 years we've had the lab, even though he destroys most dog toys (even the TireBiter toys), sometimes in a minute or two.

Downsides: the toy is noisy on hardwood or tile floors. Also, the dog bangs it into walls, furniture, etc. It's hard to clean and hard to open. I don't bother to open it, i just pour treats in the middle, shake them through the hole, and turn the cube several times.

Overall, an excellent toy for smart dogs who don't mind working for a treat. Your dog will probably either love it or ignore it. If your dog likes challenges, go for it. S/he'll probably play with this toy for hours.

I totally disagree with the above review. My dog, and other dogs I've petsat have loved the buster cube. I've used both sizes and they were both equally effective. It's hard plastic and large size (not even close to 7" in width by the way) makes it really tough for even the most zealous dogs to destroy or even damage. It keeps my current dog busy for up to thirty minutes and she sits excitedly waiting as we load it. It can even be used outside in the yard. This is one of the few toys our dog enjoys and is distracted by.

My dog loves this toy. She bats it around like crazy. Unfortunately, it is loud on the tile and hardwood floors, so we give it to her to play with outside. With that, it gets dirty. But like a few others, I was having a difficult time opening the cylinder to clean out the old food and treats. I went to the website and tried to follow the instructions:
For filling and easy cleaning the central cylinder can be removed. Put your finger into the hole of the cylinder and turn towards MAX. Turn anticlockwise again until you hear a sound.
I had a really difficult time turning until I heard the click. There is a hole on the inside of the cylinder toward the top, on the side. I stuck a screwdriver in there just for leverage and turned counter clockwise. Alas! I heard the click! So I don't have to throw it out after all! According to their website, they made it difficult to remove so the pet can't remove it, and only recommend removing it when absolutely necessary. But for those like me that need to clean it more often, hope this helps. Just be careful b/c whatever tool you use to help you open it can mar it. But I'm willing to sacrifice that to get more use out of it.

The cube is filled with dog food and/or treats. The idea is that the dog is supposed to roll the cube around to get the food/treats out of the cube. There is a tube with a hole it in to restrict the rate at which treats fall out of the cube. The idea is to make your dog work for his food, which will keep him from getting bored.

My dog knows there is food in the cube, and he wants the food. If I put the cube tube side down, he will flip it over and eat the food, then stick his tongue in the hole to get as much out as possible. After that he gives up. Apparently working the cube is instinctive for some (herding?) dogs. It looks like I'll have to teach my dog how to use the cube...

We are buying our third for our dog. (First one was chewed up as our doggie figured out how to get the center piece out!) This purchase is due to the fact that the second one melted in our dishwasher (the interior). IT IS NOT DISHWASHER SAFE. Otherwise, it is a fantastic toy!

I bought my first Buster Cube about 10 years ago for my shepard/lab, Dimitri. Dimi adored this toy and never tired of it. He was large enough to pick it up in his mouth but it managed to look as good as new after 6 years of use. We just got a new dog and I tried other treat balls but our pup was smarter than the manufacturer and was able to dismantle the balls to spill the treats out all at once (and then he proceeded to destroy the plugs rendering the balls useless). I purchased another Buster Cube and love the one piece construction. It keeps my dog's interest and he loves batting it around and picking up the treats.

Our dog loooooves this toy, and it keeps her entertained for much longer than any other toy. While she really enjoys it, the piece in the center that is supposed to come out for easy access to fill it, does not come out easily, or without causing a bit of pain to the fingers. It still works, but it's a minor annoyance. It's also very loud, if your dog is anything like ours, but she runs it around slamming it into walls and finds it most entertaining to play with it on tiled, rather than carpeted floors. Your dog might be more gentle.

All in all it's worth it because she likes it.

We originally got our buster cube for the labrador retrievers that crossed our threshold (my family used to raise guide dogs). Our family dog never caught on to how to use the toy, but we kept it around. We now have a Yorkie that's very insistant on what he wants, and one day, he wanted the buster cube. Now, keep in mind, this was a buster cube meant for a labrador retriever, not for our "teapot" (larger than average) Yorkie. But he loves it! He whimpers for it when he wants it, and we've recently had to remove it from his vicinity and wash it well so he can't smell it, or else he'll drive us nuts! But it does occupy his time, and it's a great mental exercise for extremely intelligent dogs.

I have a very active American Bulldog weighting about 100 pounds. The Buster Food Cube (5") didn't last 2 hours. I left the house, and when I came back, the cilinder in the middle of the Cube was already removed and crushed by my dog. I'm not dissapointed actually, because the maker of the toy is not claiming that the toy is undestructible, that's why I'm not giving a bad review. Also I have to say that when I gave my dog the toy he reacted happily and inmediately got the idea and started pushing and throwing the toy. I'd say this is a toy for a more quiet dog.

In concept it is a good idea but in practice there is some work needed. Neither my husbands nor I have been able to open it to clean and as such I stopped using it. I also believe that this is not a toy for big dogs inside the house. Dogs really enjoy it, yes; however the hard plastic is extremely loud, slides on hardwood floors and gets caught under furniture and dog just plows through it to get to it.

Update: Took the cube to the pet store and they were unable to open it as well. As a matter of fact we did try 3 other cubes in stock and were able to open only 1 of them. A better option in my opinion is the Omega Paw Tricky Treat Ball.