Abstract: A pet toy is provided having a plurality of graspable protuberances, each formed as an elongated substantially flat surface portion shaped as a rectangle or as a loop. Each protuberance is affixed at a first end to the ball element. Each protuberance adapted further forms an elongated substantially flat surface portion that is gripped in an animal's mouth such that when the spherical portion is gripped in an animal's mouth.

Abstract: A squeaker assembly is configured to reduce/minimize a total number of parts that may become dislodged by aggressive play by a pet. The squeaker includes a reed, and a resonator cup with an arm coupled thereto using a living hinge. The resonator cup is formed with an elongated curved wall that terminates on a flat surface to form a periphery corresponding to the reed's periphery, which may be a race track shape. The living hinge is a thin flexible strip of material integrally formed with the arm and curved wall, for the arm to extend substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the resonator cup, and be pivotable from an un-engaged first position to a second position where it contacts the reed, and where a catch formed on the arm may snap over and engage a tab formed on the curved wall, for the arm to releasably engage the reed.

Abstract: A multi-material pet toy includes a first member having an attractant for making the multi-material pet toy interesting to a pet and a second member for protecting the first member to lengthen a serviceable life of the first member. The toy may be configured so that the first member includes a sound-producing member for making a noise without air movement passing through the sound-producing member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the sound-producing member. The toy may also be configured so that the first member includes a mouth-feel member for providing attraction for the pet with the noise of air movement passing through the mouth-feel member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the mouth-feel member.

Abstract: A multi-material pet toy includes a first member having an attractant for making the multi-material pet toy interesting to a pet and a second member for protecting the first member to lengthen a serviceable life of the first member. The toy may be configured so that the first member includes a sound-producing member for making a noise without air movement passing through the sound-producing member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the sound-producing member. The toy may also be configured so that the first member includes a mouth-feel member for providing attraction for the pet with the noise of air movement passing through the mouth-feel member, and the second member includes a protective member for protecting the mouth-feel member.

Abstract: One embodiment of a treat dispenser for an animal comprises a container having a first interior for receiving treats, a first opening for dispensing treats from the interior, a removable cap for inserting treats into the interior, and a first axis, and a cover at least partially surrounding the container to define a second interior between the cover and the container that receives treats dispensed from the first interior. The cover has a second opening for dispensing treats from the second interior. The cover is preferably slidable and rotatable along the first axis relative to the container. In one embodiment, the treat dispenser is attached to a rollable frame.

Abstract: A pet toy comprising, in one embodiment, a body have an outer surface, an interior and at least one opening in the outer surface extending into the interior, an overmold supported by the body, and a portion of the overmold extending substantially over the at least one opening and further comprising an inwardly deflectable passage to provide access to the interior therethrough. The interior, in one embodiment, may be provided with a plurality of baffles that create a spiral path.

Abstract: A noise producing toy structure includes a toy having an outer wall and a crown raised from the outer wall, the outer wall defining an inner space and the crown defining a chamber; an opening for passing ambient fluid into the chamber; and a noise producing element placing the inner space in fluid communication with chamber. The crown hinders access to the noise producing element to resist unintended removal of the noise producing element. A noise producing toy structure includes a toy having an outer wall, a noise producing element disposed in the outer wall for placing the inner space in fluid communication with an environment; and a wall upright from the outer wall at a position proximal to the noise producing element. The wall has a free end to space a user from the noise producing element to hinder access to the noise producing element.

Abstract: A multilayer pet toy has an inner structure having an inner-structure resilient material; an outer structure joined to the inner structure, the outer structure having a first layer having a first sandwich structure, the first sandwich structure having an outer-structure resilient material and a non-resilient material. Therein, the inner structure resilient material includes a first rubber compound that has a percentage of 30% or less by weight of natural rubber and a remainder being filler. The outer-structure resilient material includes a second rubber compound that has a percentage of 44% or more by weight of natural rubber and a remainder being filler.

Abstract: A sound-making pet toy includes a shell having an opening and an inner space accessible through the opening and a sound-making body having a reduced state and an expanded state larger than the reduced state. When the sound-making body is disposed in the opening, it has the reduced state and when it is disposed in the inner space, it has the expanded state. The sound-making body has a resilient air-holding body and a sound making device that is responsive to air from the air holding body passing through the sound-making body. When the sound-making body is in the expanded state, it is lodged against the inner surface of the shell. When the sound-making body is in the expanded state, it expels air from the resilient air holding body when a force impacts the shell. In the expanded state, it is larger than the opening.

Abstract: A small animal structure includes several modular units slideably interconnected to form a maze and at least one end cap secured to at least one modular unit. The modular units have a common bottom edge defining an open bottom of the small animal structure. A combination of a small-animal structure and a small-animal cage includes modular units slideably interconnected to form a maze. The modular units have a common bottom edge defining an open bottom of the small-animal structure. The small-animal structure is mounted on a floor of the small animal cage.

Abstract: A sound-making pet toy includes a shell having an opening and an inner space accessible through the opening and a sound-making body having a reduced state and an expanded state larger than the reduced state. When the sound-making body is disposed in the opening, it has the reduced state and when it is disposed in the inner space, it has the expanded state. The sound-making body has a resilient air-holding body and a sound making device that is responsive to air from the air holding body passing through the sound-making body. When the sound-making body is in the expanded state, it is lodged against the inner surface of the shell. When the sound-making body is in the expanded state, it expels air from the resilient air holding body when a force impacts the shell. In the expanded state, it is larger than the opening.

Abstract: A small animal habitat includes a base, a wall extension, and a roof that define an interior space. In the interior space, an animal entertainment device is positioned distal from the base and a platform is spaced from the base providing access to the entertainment device. A climbing structure permits access to the platform. A first animal traversable path from the base to the animal entertainment device includes a first substantially vertical climb and a first substantially horizontal traverse on the platform. A second animal traversable path from the base to the port includes the first substantially vertical climb, a second substantially horizontal traverse on the platform, and a second substantially vertical climb to a port in the roof.

Abstract: One embodiment of a treat dispenser for an animal comprises a container having a first interior for receiving treats, a first opening for dispensing treats from the interior, a removable cap for inserting treats into the interior, and a first axis, and a cover at least partially surrounding the container to define a second interior between the cover and the container that receives treats dispensed from the first interior. The cover has a second opening for dispensing treats from the second interior. The cover is preferably slidable and rotatable along the first axis relative to the container. In one embodiment, the treat dispenser is attached to a rollable frame.

Abstract: An animal entertainment device comprises a guide unit and a wheel that travels on the guide unit.

Abstract: A biodegradable chew toy having a first body that is made of a first biodegradable material have first characteristic. A second body is made of a second biodegradable material having a second characteristic. The second body is overmolded by the first body. The first characteristic and the second characteristic differ by elasticity.

Abstract: A pet toy comprising, in one embodiment, a body have an outer surface, an interior and at least one opening in the outer surface extending into the interior, an overmold supported by the body, and a portion of the overmold extending substantially over the at least one opening and further comprising an inwardly deflectable passage to provide access to the interior therethrough. The interior, in one embodiment, may be provided with a plurality of baffles that create a spiral path.

Abstract: A noise producing toy structure includes a toy having an outer wall, the outer wall defining an inner space; a sealed cavity and a chamber disposed in the inner space; an opening in the outer wall for passing ambient fluid into the chamber; and a noise producing element placing the sealed cavity in fluid communication with chamber. The opening is disposed at an axis collinear with a longitudinal axis of the noise producing element. A noise producing toy structure includes a toy having an outer wall, the outer wall defining an inner space; a sealed cavity and a chamber disposed in the inner space; an opening in the outer wall for passing ambient fluid into the chamber; a noise producing element placing the cavity in fluid communication with chamber; and an inner wall structure for defining the sealed cavity. The inner wall structure has a transverse wall.