PET CHEW TOY FOR DENTAL SELF-CLEANING BY DOMESTIC PETS
A pet chew toy allowing for the self-cleaning of teeth by domestic pets. The pet toy includes one or more cavities into which a pet's teeth may engage, and the inner and outer surfaces of the cavities may have scrubbing elements designed to enhance removal of plaque and other unhygienic products from a pet's teeth and gums. The chew toy may further include projections to enhance stabilization of the chew toy by the pet, and a reservoir and dispensing system for pet toothpaste or similar additive.
1 . A chew toy for pet dental hygiene, comprising:
a) a central chewing member,
comprising:
i) at least two U-shaped grooves that comprise, on at least a portion of all internal surfaces of said at least two U-shaped grooves, a plurality of protruding scrubbing elements;
a) wherein said at least two U-shaped grooves generally define said central chewing member with a first and second end;
b) further wherein said at least two grooves are arranged parallel to each other and perpendicular, at said second end, to an at least one bottom stabilizing portion;
c) further wherein said at least two grooves are each substantially the length of said central chewing member;
d) further wherein said at least two U-shaped grooves are positioned on opposing sides of said central chewing member;
e) further wherein each said at least two U-shaped grooves is generally U-shaped in a vertical orientation, in cross section across said central chewing member, or a combination thereof;
ii) a plurality of nub shaped elements positioned on an outside surface of said central chewing member;
b) said at least one bottom stabilizing portion, comprising:
i) at least one substantially flat projection that stabilizes said chew toy when in use;
ii) wherein said at least one projection is perpendicular to said central chewing member;
iii) wherein said at least one bottom stabilizing portion is configured to stabilize said chew toy in an upright position when a pet holds said at least one bottom stabilizing portion in its paws;
wherein said chew toy is a unitary structure made of a non-toxic material.
2 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,
wherein at least one of said at least two U-shaped grooves are sufficiently deep to clean teeth to the gum line.
3 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,
wherein said protruding scrubbing elements comprise bristles.
4 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,
wherein said pet comprises a dog.
5 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,
further wherein said chew toy is operable as a toothbrush for use by pets to brush their own teeth
6 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,
wherein when chew toy is in use, multiple teeth and multiple surfaces of teeth are cleaned.
7 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,
wherein said chew toy comprises a single, unitary structure.
8 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,
wherein said whew toy comprises natural rubber.
9 . A method of promoting pet dental hygiene, comprising:
a) providing a pet in need of promotion of dental hygiene;
b) providing a chew toy of claim 1 ;
c) allowing said pet to engage with said chew toy.
wherein the dental hygiene of said pet is promoted.
10 . The method of claim 9 ,
wherein said chew toy comprises toothpaste.
11 . The method of claim 9 ,
wherein said pet comprises a dog.
12 . The method of claim 9 ,
wherein at least one of said at least two grooves are sufficiently deep to clean teeth to the gum line.
13 . The method of claim 9 ,
wherein when chew toy is in use, multiple teeth and multiple surfaces of teeth are cleaned.
14 . A chew toy for pet dental hygiene, comprising:
a) a central chewing member,
comprising:
i) at least two U-shaped grooves that comprise, on at least a portion of all internal surfaces of said at least two U-shaped grooves, a plurality of protruding scrubbing elements;
a) wherein said at least two U-shaped grooves generally define said central chewing member with a first and second end;
b) further wherein said at least two grooves are arranged parallel to each other;
c) further wherein said at least two grooves are each substantially the length of said central chewing member;
d) further wherein said at least two U-shaped grooves are positioned on opposing sides of said central chewing member;
e) further wherein each said at least two U-shaped grooves is generally U-shaped in a vertical orientation, in cross section across said central chewing member, or a combination thereof;
ii) a plurality of nub shaped elements positioned on an outside surface of said central chewing member;
wherein said chew toy is a unitary structure made of a non-toxic material.
15 . A chew toy for pet dental hygiene, comprising:
a) a central chewing member,
comprising:
i) at least two U-shaped grooves that comprise, on at least a portion of all internal surfaces of said at least two U-shaped grooves, a plurality of protruding scrubbing elements;
a) wherein said at least two U-shaped grooves generally define said central chewing member with a first and second end;
b) further wherein said at least two U-shaped grooves are arranged parallel to.
c) further wherein said at least two U-shaped grooves are each substantially the length of said central chewing member;
d) further wherein said at least two U-shaped grooves are positioned on opposing sides of said central chewing member;
e) further wherein each said at least two U-shaped grooves is generally U-shaped in cross section across said central chewing member;
ii) a plurality of nub shaped elements positioned on an outside surface of said central chewing member;
iii) at least one central aperture in said first end of said central chewing member and an at least one longitudinal cavity that begins at said aperture and runs at least a portion of the length of said central chewing member;
iv) at least one dispensing hole communicating between said at least one longitudinal cavity and said at least two U-shaped grooves, wherein said at least one dispensing hole is perpendicular to said at least one longitudinal cavity;
wherein said chew toy is a unitary structure made of non-toxic material.