Pet chew toy for dental self-cleaning by domestic pets

Abstract

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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         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.