Animal play toy
View Patent ↗The invention provides animal play toys that engage an animal in play before and during consumption of a treat. In one aspect, the invention provides an animal play toy having a top portion defining at least one hole therethrough and a weighted bottom portion. The animal play toy is able to stand upright when there is no interaction with the animal play toy. One or more ropes of a consumable product or a non-consumable product can be attached to the top portion of the animal play toy through the hole.
1. An animal play toy comprising:
a top portion defining at least two holes therethrough, the two holes having the same orientation opposite each other on the top of the top portion; and
a weighted bottom portion attached to the top portion, the weighted bottom having an opening for dispensing of an item contained in the animal play toy.
2. The animal play toy of claim 1 including at least one rope of a consumable product threaded through each hole of the top portion.
3. The animal play toy of claim 2 wherein the rope of the consumable product is made of a material selected from the group consisting of meat-jerky, rawhide, gelatin, dough, gelatinized starch-based food compositions, and combinations thereof.
4. The animal play toy of claim 2 wherein the rope of the consumable product includes one or more edible ingredients selected from the group consisting of grains, starches, meat meals, proteins, fibers, sugars, vitamins, minerals, aromas, colors, flavors, oils, humectants, preservatives, and combinations thereof.
5. The animal play toy of claim 2 wherein a plurality of the ropes are packaged in bundle.
6. The animal play toy of claim 1 including at least one rope of a non-consumable product threaded through each hole of the top portion.
7. The animal play toy of claim 6 wherein the rope of the non-consumable product is made from a material selected from the group consisting of fibers, plastic, nylon, resin, cotton, paperboard, and combinations thereof.
8. The animal play toy of claim 6 wherein a plurality of the ropes are packaged in bundle.
9. The animal play toy of claim 1 in the shape of an animal.
10. The animal play toy of claim 1 in the form a single unitary piece.
11. A method for promoting the health or wellness of an animal comprising providing to an animal an animal play toy having a top portion defining at least two holes therethrough, the two holes having the same orientation opposite each other on the top of the top portion; a weighted bottom portion, the weighted bottom having an opening for dispensing of an item contained in the animal play toy; and a rope of at least one of a consumable product or a non-consumable product attached to the top portion through the hole.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein the rope of the consumable product is made of a material selected from the group consisting of meat-jerky, rawhide, gelatin, dough, gelatinized starch-based food compositions, and combinations thereof.
13. The method of claim 11 wherein the rope of the non-consumable product is made from a material selected from the group consisting of fibers, plastic, nylon, resin, cotton, paperboard, and combinations thereof.