Non-toxic, polymeric plush animal toys with incorporated natural food flavor compositions are shown and described. The flavor compositions are microencapsulated in a natural protein shell, and the microcapsules are incorporated in a mesh liner. Along with a plush outer layer, the mesh liner defines a fabric enclosure that encloses a compressible fill material. When an animal bites into the toy, the microcapsules rupture, and the food flavor composition diffuses through the mesh liner and plush outer layer.

The invention comprises a pet plush toy wherein an animal character is attached to a “stalk” as a monkey would cling to a tree, and which provides a dental benefit when pets chew a portion of the tree stalk created from braided jersey fabric that is removeable from the stalk portion to provide extra play as well as dental benefits when a pet chews the strands of the braid. Elastic in the arms of the animal character allow it to be slipped over the stalk portion, and also contains noisemakers in both the animal and the stalk or portion they are elastically clung to. The toy is thus 2 pieces that an animal may remove from one another and individually play with each piece. The braided jersey piece may be reinserted an infinite number of times to reengage pet play.

In one embodiment, a chew toy includes a first portion that can removably couple to a second portion of the chew toy. An outer surface of the first portion has a first opening to the interior of the chew toy. The second portion includes a first end, and the first end of the second portion includes a first surface for supporting the base of a chew that is larger than the first opening in a plane parallel to the first opening. When the second portion is removably coupled to the first portion the first surface is disposed in the interior of the chew toy and is offset from the first opening along a direction perpendicular to the plane of the first opening.

A wearable animal training apparatus may include a casing having an inner wall, and an outer wall. The apparatus may include a flexible first wire disposed against a proximal surface between the inner wall and the outer wall of the casing, and a flexible second wire disposed against a distal surface between the inner wall and the outer wall of the casing. The apparatus may also include a power source having a positive terminal and a negative terminal, and an electric motor. The first wire may be connected to the positive terminal of the power source, and the second wire may be connected to the negative terminal of the power source.

A dispenser includes an outer shell and diaphragm pumps that can be operated by an animal to dispense materials, such as a gel, with a flow viscosity between 1-100,000 cps. The outer shell houses a pressure-actuated sound generator and has outer surfaces with tongue cleaners. The outer shell includes receivers wherein diaphragm pumps can be installed. The diaphragm pumps are of a prescribed volume between 0.1 ml and 50 ml so that the amount of oral gel ejected into a dog's mouth can be determined. The outer shell is sufficiently flexible to be compressed by an animal's jaws such that the oral gel is pumped via actuation of the diaphragm pump. Gel is ejected or pumped to the teeth of the animal and in combination of sounds being generated, more or less simultaneously with the distribution of oral gel in a prescribed and measured volume.

The present disclosure relates to edible animal chews. Embodiment disclosed include an edible animal chew and processes for producing an edible animal chew comprising at least two extruded layers, wherein at least one extruded layer comprises: animal skin protein, wherein the animal skin is porcine or bovine, animal fat, wherein the animal fat is porcine or bovine, and soybean protein, wherein there is an air-gap between at least a portion of the at least two extruded layers, and a processes for forming an edible animal chew.

A pet chew article comprising luffa fibers and a polymer composition. The pet chew article may be formed by supplying luffa fibers, supplying a polymer composition combining the luffa fibers with the polymer composition and forming the pet chew article from the luffa fibers and the polymer composition.

A securing device that secures an animal chew to prevent animal choking. A chew with one or more boreholes may be inserted into the cavity. A pin is inserted, through the body until it passes through the borehole. A latch obstructs the head of the pin so that the animal cannot work the pin free while enjoying the chew. To remove the pin, the animal's caretaker can apply force to the end of the pin to push it free past the latch.

An animal dentistry apparatus is provided and comprises a jaw assembly. The jaw assembly comprises a lower jaw and an upper jaw, and is configured such that the lower jaw and the upper jaw can move apart and together in a mastication action. The upper and lower jaw comprise at least one tooth. The apparatus further comprises a means, such as a motor, to effect the mastication action. The animal dentistry apparatus may be used to assess a chewable product, and such methods are also provided.

A pet treat holder and dispensing system to be used preferably with rigid and semi-rigid pet treats is disclosed. The pet treat holder and dispensing system is used to protect a pet from choking on a pet treat and other hazards, keep the pet treat in one place and provide a protective shield around the pet treat that makes it more conducive to the pet's enjoyment. The pet treat holder and dispensing system includes a housing having a transverse mouth opening therethrough and inner and outer portions. The housing is sized and shaped to facilitate access by a pet to a pet treat that is received and kept inside in the transverse mouth opening. A support located and attached to a bottom part in the inner portion of housing is also in the pet treat holder and dispensing system, the support having bottom and upper portions and including an oval shaped finger support part in the upper portion. The support allows the holding by a person of the pet treat in the transverse mouth opening.