Mindful Pet Daily is reader-supported: when you buy through links on this page, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more
Our take: a lot of searching per meal: 24 small compartments that turn a cup of food into a long puzzle. Skip it if your dog chews plastic or wants variety in its moves.
The Challenge Slider is a level 3 puzzle from the Nina Ottosson range by Outward Hound. Food goes into 24 small compartments on a tray that slides out from underneath. Your dog slides the pieces on top, back and forth and side to side, to uncover each compartment.
At a glance: Level 3 (maker’s scale) · 24 compartments · Up to about 1 cup of kibble, treats, wet food or spreads · About 14.7 inches square · Plastic, BPA, PVC and phthalate free · Wash with mild soap and warm water
How it works
Pull the tray out from underneath, fill the compartments, and slide it back in. Sliding pieces on top cover the compartments, and the maker describes specific steps in order to reach all the food, so your dog has to work out which pieces to move next. The pieces are built in, so they don’t come off.
You set the difficulty:
- Learning: fill just a few compartments and show your dog the first slides. The maker suggests helping at the start by sliding pieces to show the hidden food.
- Full level 3: fill all 24 and cover them, so your dog has to search the whole board.
- Harder still: put food in some compartments and leave others empty, so your dog has to search, or use wet food or a spread, which takes longer to lick out of each compartment.
Who it’s for
- Dogs who eat their meal in seconds: up to a cup of food spread across 24 compartments
- Owners who want a puzzle that uses part of the daily food ration rather than extra treats
- Dogs who already slide pieces confidently on easier puzzles and need more of it
Skip it if
- Your dog chews plastic. The sliding pieces are the parts a chewer is most likely to damage.
- Your dog flips or bats toys around. The board slides on smooth floors. A non-slip mat underneath helps.
- You want different kinds of moves. It’s sliding all the way through. For locks, drawers and a set order, look at the Dog Casino or the MultiPuzzle (level 4).
What owners report
- Liked: it keeps dogs busy for a whole portion of food, and it works as a step up from easier puzzles.
- Split: some dogs find the sliding easy once they get the idea, others need help at first.
- Disliked: chewed pieces with strong chewers, and the board moving around on hard floors.
Safety
- Supervise. The maker says not to leave a dog alone with a treat puzzle, or let it chew the pieces.
- Put it away when the food is gone, so it doesn’t become a chew toy.
- Clean it after wet food or spreads. Empty and wash every compartment, then let the tray dry.
- Check it before each use and replace it if anything is cracked or chewed.
- Food: count what goes in as part of the day’s food, and check any spread for ingredients that are unsafe for dogs, such as xylitol (sometimes listed as birch sugar).
Challenge Slider vs Dog Casino
Both are level 3 puzzles from the same range that hold about a cup of food.
This page
Challenge Slider
VS · Compare with
Dog Casino
| Feature | Challenge Slider | Dog Casino |
|---|---|---|
| How it opens | Slide pieces back and forth and side to side | Turn a bone, then pull a drawer |
| Compartments | 24 small | 6 drawers |
| Food | Kibble, treats, wet food or spreads | Kibble or treats |
| Best for | Fast eaters, long searching | Dogs who paw and pull |
| Watch out for | Chewers, cleaning after wet food | Chewers, sliding on smooth floors |
Rotating the two gives your dog two different kinds of problem.
FAQ
Is the Challenge Slider good for beginners?
It’s a level 3 puzzle, so it’s best after your dog has mastered a level 1 or 2 puzzle. Filling just a few compartments and showing the first slides makes a gentler start.
Can I put wet food in it?
Yes. The listing says it holds kibble, treats, spreads or wet food. Wash every compartment afterwards.
Is a cup of food a whole meal?
For many small dogs, yes. For bigger dogs it’s part of a meal, so use it for one portion of the daily ration.
Is it dishwasher safe?
The maker’s instructions say to wash it with mild soap and warm water, so we’d wash it by hand.
Similar puzzles
- Nina Ottosson Dog Casino: budget level 3 with drawers and bone locks
- Nina Ottosson Dog Twister: budget level 3, lift a tab then slide a block
- Nina Ottosson MultiPuzzle: level 4, the next step up
- TRIXIE Move-2-Win: level 3 from a different brand, good for rotation
- KONG Classic: for dogs who chew plastic puzzles
Compare all six: Puzzle Toys for Smart Dogs
How we research
This review brings together the maker’s information and patterns in what owners report. More in How We Review.
Last updated: October 29, 2026