Cooling pet chew toy with edible inserts

Abstract

The principles of the present inventive concepts relate to pet toys in general and, in particular, to a chewable pet toy such as those commonly used by dogs. The chew toy may be constructed and adapted to allow the toy to be cooled or frozen to provide a cooling effect to the animal during the chewing process. The toy may be further constructed and adapted to incorporate at least one recessed or open area that is configured to receive and retain an edible food product therein which may be dislodged and consumed by the animal during the chewing process. The chew toy may comprise a main body, which may consist of two half-sections defining a sealed interior volume that encases an inner core. A non-toxic fluid may also be contained within the interior volume to allow the toy to be frozen. An external surface of the main body may comprise a plurality of small protrusions to provide a cleaning or massaging effect to the animal's teeth and gums. A receptacle may be formed through the outer surface of the main body to receive and hold an edible food product, or dog treat, in the open area and allow the treat to be consumed by the animal. The main body may comprise a durable, pliant, puncture resistant material, such as a thermoplastic rubber, to allow the chew toy to be used for repeated and extended periods of times.