PET CHEW TOY FOR DENTAL SELF-CLEANING BY DOMESTIC PETS

1 . A chew toy for pet dental hygiene, comprising:

a) at least one chewing member, comprising:

i) at least one groove running in a longitudinal direction of the at least one chewing member that comprises a plurality of protruding scrubbing elements; and

ii) a plurality of nub shaped elements positioned on an outside surface of said chewing member; and

b) at least one bottom stabilizing portion;

i) wherein said at least one bottom stabilizing portion located at a bottom end of the at least one chewing member and being in a perpendicular plane with respect to the at least one chewing member comprises at least one projection that stabilizes said chew toy when in use.

2 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one groove is generally U-shaped.

3 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein at least one of said at least one groove comprises, on at least a portion of all internal surfaces of said at least one groove, a plurality of protruding scrubbing elements.

4 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein when there are two or more grooves, said two or more grooves are arranged parallel to each other.

5 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one groove is perpendicular to an at least one bottom stabilizing portion.

6 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one groove is substantially the length of said chewing member.

7 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein when there are two or more grooves, said two or more grooves are positioned on opposing sides of said chewing member.

8 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein each said at least one grooves is generally U-shaped in cross section across said chewing member.

9 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one groove generally defines said at least one chewing member with a first and second end.

10 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one groove is sufficiently deep to clean teeth to the gum line.

11 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said protruding scrubbing elements comprise bristles.

12 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said nub shaped elements are smaller in diameter than said protruding scrubbing elements, shorter in length than said protruding scrubbing elements, or a combination thereof.

13 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said chew toy does not comprise said nub shaped elements.

14 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

further comprising at least one aperture.

15 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

further comprising at least one cavity within said chewing member.

16 . The chew toy of claim 15 ,

wherein said at least one cavity is longitudinal as to said at least one chewing member.

17 . The chew toy of claim 16 ,

wherein said at least one cavity begins at an aperture in said first end of said chewing member and runs at least a portion of the length of said chewing member.

18 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one longitudinal cavity is configured to hold at least one substance.

19 . The chew toy of claim 18 ,

wherein said substance comprises toothpaste.

20 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

further comprising at least one dispensing hole.

21 . The chew toy of claim 20 ,

wherein said at least one dispending hole communicates between at least one cavity and said at least one groove.

22 . The chew toy of claim 21 ,

wherein said at least one dispensing hole is perpendicular to said at least one cavity.

23 . The chew toy of claim 20 ,

wherein said at least one dispensing hole is adapted to transfer at least one substance between said at least one longitudinal cavity and said at least two U-shaped grooves.

24 . The chew toy of claim 23 ,

wherein said substance comprises toothpaste.

25 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one projection is substantially flat.

26 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one projection is perpendicular to said chewing member;

27 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said at least one bottom stabilizing portion is configured to stabilize said chew toy in an upright position.

28 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

further comprising at least one space for at least one insert.

29 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said chew toy does not comprise said at least one bottom stabilizing portion.

30 . The chew toy of claim 1 ,

wherein said pet comprises a dog.

31 . 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.