Julia Rivera//November 11, 2021
IT’S TIME FOR TOYS
With many behavioral problems in pets coming from boredom or excess energy, toys are essential to keep a pet happy and healthy. They are great at providing mental stimulation in the form of a fun activity for the companion animal. Toys come in countless forms, be it chew, plush, rubber, fetch, tug and puzzle toys.
Engaging toys, such as cat wands from Vee Enterprises, are essential for providing physical as well as mental stimulation and enrichment, and they improve a pet’s overall concentration and cognitive abilities. Interactive toys, including Nina Ottosson puzzles, test a pet’s smarts and encourage the positive development of an animal’s overall health.
Diversity of selection is important for retailers, as a wide assortment of toy offerings will enable customers to find the toy that will fulfill their pet’s specific needs. This variety includes toys for dogs, cats, birds and critters, and there’s a growing interest in eco-friendly products. No toy is indestructible, so retailers need to advise that dogs and cats be supervised to prevent a piece becomes chewed off and swallowed.
Duckyword Cat Toys
All Yeowww! Catnip products are made in the United States. And as with all Yeowww! Catnip products, the brand’s holiday toys are made of durable cotton twill and filled with a special 100 percent organically grown catnip — no fillers and no chemicals. It’s a combination sure to send even the most pampered cats into orbits of delight and keep them entertained for hours!
SodaPup
SodaPup is a veteran-owned business that specializes in American-made dog toys and enrichment products for power chewers. Based in Colorado, SodaPup makes several collections of dog toys including the USA-K9 collection which is inspired by military objects and fireworks including grenades, firecrackers and cherry bombs. All chew toys come with a 30-day replacement guarantee.
Vee Cat Wands
Made in the United States, Vee’s line of cat wands includes the Wispy Bouncer, featuring soft, natural iridescent peacock flue feathers, and the Satin Bouncer, with satin tassels that are intended for batting or biting. There is also the PURRfect Go-Fur-It wand, which has a plastic string coil that stretches over eight feet, has an end with faux fur and natural tinted feathers for energetic cats to chase and capture.
West Paw Rowdies
Designed for rough play, Rowdies are West Paw’s durable plush toy collection that feature colorful characters, engaging shapes and bright, bold colors. Handcrafted in Montana with ultra-strong HardyTex fabric and embroidered eyes, Rowdies are available with or without Zogoflex Chew Zones and all include a squeezer. Backed by West Paw’s Love It Guarantee, these tough toys are washer and dryer safe.
Chew-N-Tug
Keep your dog happy with Chew-N-Tug Elk Antler Chews by Wapiti Labs. These unique chew products are for medium breed to large breed dogs; the 100 percent cotton rope holds up to serious rounds of tug-of-war. Wapiti Labs Elk Antlers are water rinsed only, with no chemical treatments on the antlers. Antlers are naturally shed and re-grown by male elk each year, making them a renewable source.
Barrett Ball
Ethical Products partnered with U.S. Army veteran James Hayes to market the patent-pending Barrett Ball. This super-tough dog toy features indestructible rubber that is meant to withstand the powerful forces of persistent pooches who take pleasure in pulverizing their playthings. A portion of all sales will be donated to Dogs4Warriors.
Chuckit! Value Pack
Designed for fetch-loving canines, all toys in this value pack are made from the same durable, natural rubber as our popular Ultra Ball and feature the same bright orange and blue colors that Chuckit! lovers have come to recognize. The set comes with one RingChaser, one Ultra Fetch Stick and one Ring Flight.
A&E Bird Toys
A&E toys, including the Tropical Punch Cocktail and Whiffle King Happy Beaks bird toys, are made in the United States. The Tropical Punch Cocktail is a party in a cup, with its paper Hawaiian-themed cup that encourages birds’ natural instinct to forage and play. The Whiffle King Happy Beaks is full of bagels, straw buttons and fun. These toys offer textures and lots of shred-able, natural toy parts.
Hauspanther Cat Toys
These cat toys are as satisfying for cats as they are for people. Each toy encourages a different kind of play behavior from stalking and pouncing to chasing and tossing, keeping cats active and entertained. The abstract shapes, unique textures and sophisticated modern colors make the toys look like modern art on your living room floor. Who says cat toys can’t be beautiful?
Indipets Organic Rubber Toys
After successfully serving 15 years in feeding products, Indipets has launched its All Natural Organic Rubber Toys line. Available in various shapes and sizes, the toys are made of durable and safe plant-derived natural rubber, with no plastic or artificial additives. They help maintain oral hygiene and encourage outdoor and indoor play.
www.indipets.us
Tower of Tracks
Your cat is sure to have a ball chasing, swatting, batting and catching these balls as they race around the track. The Petstages Tower of Tracks ball track toy for cats has three-times the levels and balls for three-times the fun.
Enriched Life
Oxbow Animal Health’s Enriched Life line of enrichment and care accessories includes a variety of toys, natural chews, engaging activity centers and innovative habitats and premium care items. Made of 100 percent pet-safe materials, the Enriched Life line is designed to support natural behaviors that include exploring, playing, hiding and chewing.