Abstract: The invention provides a dispenser configured to house one or more freely moveable treats in a hollow interior cavity and to randomly release treats through a limited number of dispensing holes only if a treat is in a limited orientation relative to a dispensing hole. The dispenser is made of a flexible, resilient material into a shape that promotes an irregular bounce when the dispenser contacts a generally flat surface. The dispenser can be used to promote prolonged engagement by challenging a pet to cognitively manipulate the dispenser so that treats inside the dispenser are randomly released.

Abstract: Pet chew articles comprising a consumable body having a shape defined by an exterior surface and comprising a main portion and at least one protrusion extending therefrom with the proviso that the shape of the body is such that no point in the interior of the body is more than about 0.2 inch (? inch) from the portion of the exterior surface nearest to the point. As a result, any pieces of the article that are ingested by a consuming animal are small enough that they will not become lodged within the animal's digestive tract. Also a method for improving the dental health of animals comprising chewing or eating by an animal of such an article.