Overview

The ZippyPaws Zippy Burrow Monkey 'n Banana takes the same hide-and-seek concept that made the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel a hit and packages it in a smaller, more playful format. A plush monkey serves as the burrow, and three squeaky banana plushies tuck inside, waiting for your dog to extract them one by one. The mechanic works because it aligns with dogs' natural desire to pull things out of enclosed spaces, a behavior so deeply wired that most dogs engage with it immediately and enthusiastically. The compact design makes it easier to store and travel with than larger burrow toys, and ZippyPaws sells replacement banana inserts for when the originals inevitably wear out. The limitations are significant and predictable: the plush construction will not survive moderate-to-heavy chewers, the toy comes in only one size, and the banana inserts are small enough to pose a choking risk for larger dogs. This is a toy for small-to-medium dogs with gentle-to-moderate play styles, and within that specific audience, it is a genuinely delightful enrichment option.

Features Deep-Dive

The Burrow-and-Extract Mechanic

Like all burrow-style toys, the Monkey 'n Banana works by exploiting a deeply satisfying canine behavior: pulling objects out of holes. The monkey plush has an opening in its top, and the banana inserts sit inside, accessible but requiring the dog to work them free. The extraction process involves nosing, pawing, and gripping, which engages multiple senses and motor skills simultaneously. Each banana contains a squeaker that provides auditory feedback during the extraction process, reinforcing the behavior and sustaining interest. What separates burrow toys from standard plush is the replayability. Once all three bananas are out, you stuff them back in, and the game starts over. A dog that gets five minutes of engagement from a standard plush toy will often spend fifteen to twenty minutes cycling through extraction rounds with a burrow toy. The challenge is not difficult enough to frustrate most dogs, but the physical act of pulling is satisfying enough to keep them coming back.

Compact and Travel-Friendly Design

Where the Hide-A-Squirrel's tree trunk is substantial and designed to sit on the floor, the Monkey 'n Banana is compact enough to toss in a bag. The monkey burrow is soft-sided and compresses easily, making it one of the few enrichment toys that works well for travel. Waiting at a vet's office, visiting friends, or staying in a hotel, the Monkey 'n Banana provides familiar enrichment in unfamiliar settings, which can help anxious dogs settle. The compact size also means it takes up minimal space in a toy box, which matters for owners who are already managing a collection of dog toys. The trade-off is that the smaller format means the toy is really designed for small-to-medium dogs. A large breed can still play with it, but the burrow and bananas may feel undersized, and the small banana inserts become a genuine swallowing risk for dogs with large mouths.

Replaceable Inserts and Ongoing Value

ZippyPaws sells replacement banana inserts, which is critical for a toy where the inserts are the most vulnerable component. Dogs chew on the bananas far more aggressively than the burrow itself, and the squeakers in the bananas are typically the first point of failure. Being able to buy a fresh pack of bananas without replacing the entire monkey extends the toy's useful life significantly and keeps the ongoing cost reasonable. Some owners also mix and match inserts from other ZippyPaws burrow toys for variety, since many of the inserts are roughly similar in size. This modularity is not officially supported, but it works well enough in practice and adds variety to the play experience. The availability of replacement parts transforms the Monkey 'n Banana from a disposable plush toy into a longer-term enrichment system.

Pricing Analysis

At $19.99, the Monkey 'n Banana sits at the upper end of the plush enrichment category. It is five dollars more than the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel Large, which offers a similar mechanic with four squirrels instead of three bananas. The premium buys you the ZippyPaws build quality, the compact form factor, and an arguably more charming design, but functionally, the play mechanic is nearly identical. The value equation improves considerably when you factor in the replacement insert system. The initial $19.99 buys the burrow plus three bananas. Subsequent banana packs cost less and extend the toy's life without requiring a full repurchase. Over six months of regular use with one or two banana replacements, the effective monthly cost lands around four to five dollars, which is reasonable for a toy that provides active enrichment rather than passive chewing. For owners of small-to-medium dogs who engage with the burrow mechanic, the per-play-session cost is quite low. For owners of dogs that simply chew through the monkey on day one, the $19.99 is a complete loss.

Who Is This For?

• Small-to-medium dog owners seeking portable enrichment: If you travel with your dog or need a toy that works in small spaces, the Monkey 'n Banana's compact design makes it one of the easiest enrichment toys to bring along. It packs flat, sets up instantly, and provides genuine engagement in any setting.
• Owners of gentle players who lose interest in static plush toys: If your dog carries a plush toy around for two minutes and then ignores it, the burrow mechanic adds an interactive dimension that sustains attention significantly longer. The extraction challenge converts passive toy ownership into active problem-solving.
• Dog parents looking for a calorie-free enrichment alternative: If you have been relying on treat-dispensing toys for mental stimulation and want to reduce the treat intake, the Monkey 'n Banana provides comparable engagement through squeaky toy extraction instead of food reward. It is one of the few enrichment toys that does not require edible motivation.

Who Should NOT Use This

• Large dog owners, especially breeds with big mouths: The banana inserts are small. Specifically, they are small enough that a Labrador or similar-sized dog could conceivably swallow one whole if they are enthusiastic and not carefully supervised. For dogs over 50 pounds, the individual banana dimensions start entering the concerning range for potential choking or intestinal blockage. Stick with larger burrow toys for big dogs.
• Moderate-to-heavy chewers of any size: The plush construction on both the monkey burrow and the banana inserts is standard-weight plush with no reinforcement. A dog that actively chews through plush toys will destroy the monkey itself before the enrichment mechanic has time to engage them. This toy requires a dog that interacts through pulling and mouthing, not sustained biting.

Bottom Line

The Monkey 'n Banana is a charming, well-designed burrow toy that delivers real enrichment value for the right dog. That right dog is small to medium in size, gentle to moderate in play style, and responsive to the pull-and-extract mechanic that drives burrow toy engagement. For that audience, the compact design, replaceable inserts, and squeaky feedback create a toy that earns repeat play sessions and justifies its price. For everyone else, the durability limitations and single-size format make it a poor fit. Know your dog before you buy.

FAQ

How does this compare to the Outward Hound Hide-A-Squirrel?

Both use the same burrow-and-extract mechanic, and both work well for the dogs that respond to it. The key differences are size and format. The Hide-A-Squirrel is larger, comes in multiple sizes, and offers more inserts per set. The Monkey 'n Banana is more compact, more portable, and has a slightly different aesthetic. If you need to accommodate a large dog or want maximum engagement time per session, the Hide-A-Squirrel is probably the better choice. If you value portability and have a small-to-medium dog, the Monkey 'n Banana fits that niche well. Many owners end up with both and rotate them.

Are the banana inserts really a choking hazard?

For small dogs, no more so than any other small squeaky toy. For large dogs, yes. Each banana is roughly four to five inches long and relatively narrow, which is fine for a 15-pound dog that has to work it around in their mouth, but concerning for a 70-pound dog that could swallow it without much effort. If you have a large dog and want to try a burrow toy, opt for the Hide-A-Squirrel Jumbo or Ginormous size, where the inserts are proportionally larger.

How many play sessions do the bananas typically last?

For gentle players, the bananas can last several weeks of daily play sessions. For moderate players who mouth the bananas after extracting them, expect one to two weeks before the squeakers start failing or the fabric shows meaningful wear. Rotate the bananas you put in the burrow each session if you have replacements, so no single banana takes all the abuse.

Can I stuff treats inside the monkey instead of bananas?

Some owners do hide small treats or kibble inside the monkey alongside or instead of the bananas, turning it into a food puzzle. This works and can increase engagement, but be aware that dogs who learn the monkey contains food may start chewing the monkey itself to access treats faster, which accelerates the burrow's destruction. If you go this route, use it sparingly to keep the extraction mechanic, not food access, as the primary motivator.