Abstract: A pet muzzle includes a muzzle body, including a cage, and a strap system. The strap system includes a neck strap section and two pairs of side strap sections, each including an upper and a lower section that are connected to each other at proximal ends and connected to the muzzle body at distal ends thereof. The connection locations on the muzzle body are arranged around a periphery of an open end thereof. The cage includes a plurality of elliptical or oval openings, including a mouth opening. A scavenger grille may be coupled in the mouth opening. The muzzle and grille are formed of material that is at least partially transparent.

Abstract: A self-righting stick-type object holder for pets includes a set of fixed structure, that include a top shell and a bottom shell, ballast disposed in the bottom shell, and a collet disposed in the interior of the holder and having a plurality of collet jaws. The top and bottom shells are adjustably coupled to one another and define an interior of the holder. The bottom shell has an exterior having a spherical or semi-spherical profile to facilitate a smooth or relatively-smooth rolling function when the holder is placed upright on a flat surface. The fixed structures include tapered internal surfaces. The jaws have inward-facing contact surfaces that collectively define a central receptacle and outward-facing tapered surfaces that interact with the tapered internal surfaces.

Abstract: A semi-hollow ball for pet play includes a thick outer shell and a hollow interior. A plurality of passages through the shell include interspersed intake passages and exhaust passages, each extending a distance through the shell. The intake passages have a wide entrance on the exterior side tapering to a substantially narrower exit on the interior side, and the exhaust passages have a wide entrance on the interior side of the shell tapering to a substantially narrower exit on the exterior side. The interior is in fluid communication with the intake passage exits and the exhaust passage entrances. The intake passages facilitate air being drawn into the ball during breath intake and air being forced into the ball during breath expelling, while the exhaust passages facilitate air being expelled from the ball during breath expelling, and air being drawn out of the ball and into the mouth during breath intake.

Abstract: A pet muzzle includes a muzzle body, including a cage, and a strap system. The strap system includes a neck strap section and two pairs of side strap sections, each including an upper and a lower section that are connected to each other at proximal ends and connected to the muzzle body at distal ends thereof. The connection locations on the muzzle body are arranged around a periphery of an open end thereof. The cage includes a plurality of elliptical or oval openings, including a mouth opening. A scavenger grille may be coupled in the mouth opening. The muzzle and grille are formed of material that is at least partially transparent.

Abstract: A pet muzzle includes a muzzle body, including a cage, and a strap system. The strap system includes a neck strap section and two pairs of side strap sections, each including an upper and a lower section that are connected to each other at proximal ends and connected to the muzzle body at distal ends thereof. The connection locations on the muzzle body are arranged around a periphery of an open end thereof. The cage includes a plurality of elliptical or oval openings, including a mouth opening. A scavenger grille may be coupled in the mouth opening. The muzzle and grille are formed of material that is at least partially transparent.

Abstract: A releasable coupling device for use with a pet includes a body, having an aperture, and a sleeve that is positioned at least partially around, and moveable relative to, at least a portion of the body. The sleeve is moveable between an open position in which at least a portion of the aperture is at least partially unoccluded so as to permit coupling of the device to an attachment receivable within the aperture, and a closed position in which at least a portion of the aperture is at least partially occluded so as to resist decoupling of the device by removal of an attachment from the aperture. The device defines a track configured to guide an attachment receivable within the aperture along a movement path.

Abstract: A releasable coupling device comprises a body comprising an aperture and a sleeve positioned at least partially around, and moveable relative to, at least a portion of the body. The sleeve is moveable between an open position in which at least a portion of the aperture is at least partially unoccluded so as to permit coupling of the device to an attachment receivable within the aperture, and a closed position in which at least a portion of the aperture is at least partially occluded so as to resist decoupling of the of the device by removal of an attachment from the aperture. The device defines a track configured to guide an attachment receivable within the aperture along a movement path.

Abstract: The invention includes pet toys made of multiple layers of material, and more particularly, to pet toys with an exterior constructed with multiple layers assembled in an offset manner resembling protective armor. The body or core of the pet toy is made of a plurality of armor plates or pieces that overlap one another in a desired configuration to present the desired armor. A central core or spine element may serve as a threading element to secure armor plates to one another. One embodiment includes armor plates that are stacked upon one another and are therefore disposed along a longitudinal axis. Another embodiment includes armor plates that are placed laterally or side-by-side with one another to form a row, and a plurality of rows are then connected to one another. The invention also includes a method for entertaining an animal with the pet toy having the multiple layers of material.

Abstract: The invention includes pet toys made of multiple layers of material, and more particularly, to pet toys with an exterior constructed with multiple layers assembled in an offset manner resembling protective armor. The body or core of the pet toy is made of a plurality of armor plates or pieces that overlap one another in a desired configuration to present the desired armor. A central core or spine element may serve as a threading element to secure armor plates to one another. One embodiment includes armor plates that are stacked upon one another and are therefore disposed along a longitudinal axis. Another embodiment includes armor plates that are placed laterally or side-by-side with one another to form a row, and a plurality of rows are then connected to one another. The invention also includes a method for entertaining an animal with the pet toy having the multiple layers of material.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel pet puzzle toy and food dispenser in which treats are located in receptacles wherein retrieval requires the pet to both spin and rock the puzzle in order to obtain the food. Much like a child's teeter totter, the food will end up in the receptacle with the greater weight as a result of pressure applied by a pet. The pet is both rewarded and entertained.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel pet toy and treat trainer wherein plastic interlocking pieces simulate vertebrae of perceived prey. Edible discs are integrated alternately with the interlocking vertebrae so that an animal can “catch and consume” the simulated prey. The pieces reside on an inner frame of rope so that the entire toy is pliable. An animal head and tail make up the front and rear interlocking pieces and are also constructed of chewable, but non-edible materials.

Abstract: A method of providing a cognitive performance snack food to a user includes producing a multitude of snack food pieces, placing the multitude of snack food pieces in snack packaging adapted to be self-standing when placed on a general horizontal surface, and providing a saleable performance snack food item to consumers for use during computer or video game activity. Some snack food pieces include a snack food base, a mixture of cognitive performance additives; and in some cases an outer shell. The snack pieces and snack packaging together define the saleable performance snack food item, which can be consumed with one hand and while operating computer or video gaming equipment.