Playtime is an important activity for pets. With the understanding that today’s consumers view their pets as members of their family, the pet toy sector continues to grow at a steady pace. Pet parents are constantly looking for high quality, durable, engaging and often eco-sustainable toys for their companion animals.
Most companion animals love to play, but dogs and cats are the focus of most toys on the market. Established brands that have built a reputation for their reliable, well-made dog and cat toys include SodaPup, Duckyworld, Nylabone and Vee Enterprises, just to name a few.
Innovative brands, like Tall Tails, recognize that the play style for each pet is different from one another. For example, some dogs prefer to fetch while other puppies enjoy playing tug. As a result, Tall Tails took the concept in 2021 and developed its gaming categories: Fetch, Tug, Sensory and Reward. This strategy is seamlessly executed in its newly designed hangtags for Tall Tails toys. By categorizing play styles, pet parents can determine which toys are best for their dogs. Not only will pet parents have better direction on which toys to buy for their pet, but store associates have a better opportunity to educate their customers by using our hangtags to guide parents pet the right toy.
“Today, pet parents are looking for pet products that go beyond simple entertainment for their pets. They are looking for toys that can provide both much-needed mental and physical stimulation, contributing to overall well-being of their dog,” said Alexandra Barone, sales and marketing coordinator for Tall Tails. “Independent retailers can meet the demands of their customers by offering pet toys that cater to this need and comes from trusted brands. To enhance the shopping experience, consider making statements by toy feature/type within the toy aisle or brand block, giving customers a convenient and enjoyable is the shopping experience.”
Sustainability is also a growing concern among pet parents, helping to drive the popularity of eco-friendly toy lines. Variety of selection is important for retailers, as a wide range of toy offerings will allow customers to find the specific toy that will meet their pet’s specific needs. This variety includes toys for dogs, cats, birds and small animals. Toys are designed to be safe and durable; however, no toy is indestructible, so retailers need to be advised to supervise dogs and cats to avoid chewing and swallowing a piece.
Duckyworld Cat Toys Yeawww! Catnip products are made of durable cotton twill and filled with 100 percent organic catnip — no fillers or chemicals. It’s a combination that’s sure to send even the proudest of cats into orbits of delight.
www.duckyworld.com
Crinkle Balls CanCor underwent a rebrand earlier this year, unveiling new packaging and a new logo. You can expect the same, great Crinkle Ball that offers cats of all ages endless fun with a new, modern look. CanCor offers a wide range of styles. It is made in Canada and sources materials from the USA
www.crinkleball.com
Animated Frog and Jackalope These animated toys from Tall Tails are designed for endless interactive play and cuddling; dogs will love the movement of these toys. No batteries required — with just one squeeze, the toy’s unique motion is activated, keeping dogs mentally, physically and audibly stimulated. All Tall Tails sensory toys are designed with reinforced mesh fabric and the squeaker is sewn into a separate pouch and stitched at the seam for added protection.
www.talltailsdog.com
Dharma Dog Toys Dharma Dog pure wool and hemp twist toys are the kind of fun dogs can sink their teeth into, right down to the gums. Coarse wool fibers have jagged edges to remove food and plaque. Dharma Dog uses safe, non-toxic dyes and contains no synthetic fibers that can be harmful when ingested.
www.distinctlyhimalayan.com
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; 100 percent cotton rope holds up to serious rounds of tug-of-war. Wapiti Labs Elk Antlers are rinsed only with water, with no chemical treatments on our antlers. They are a renewable source — the antlers are naturally shed and regrown by the male elk each year.
www.wapitilabsinc.com
Power Chew Toy Shape A fun twist on everyday objects — like a smiling broccoli stalk — these chew toys add lots of fun and flair to any dog’s chew toy collection. Three new shapes include a broccoli, baguette, and lobster — each with its own engaging design and features to occupy dogs and help clean teeth while they chew. The chew toys are made from the strongest Nylabone brand material with a great taste throughout. Chew toy sizes include Small, Medium, Large and X-Large.
www.nylabone.com
Vee Cat Wands Made in the United States, Vee’s line of cat wands includes the Wispy Bouncer, featuring soft, naturally iridescent peacock flue feathers and the Satin Bouncer, with satin tassels intended for stroking or biting. There’s also the PURRfect Go-Fur-It wand, which has a plastic string coil that stretches over eight feet. It also has a faux fur tip and natural tinted bristles for active cats to chase and catch.
www.veeenterprises.com
Bamboleos Cat Toys Bamboleos cat toys are as enjoyable for cats as they are for humans. Made with wine corks inside, these toys bounce unpredictably, great for wrapping, throwing and carrying. A touch of organic catnip makes them even more appealing. Who said cat toys can’t be cute?
www.primetimepetz.com
Furry Flingerz Featuring four adorable woodland characters, Furry Flingerz by Flingerz Pet offers a hands-free way to pick up and toss plush toys to your dog. The patented TPR insert allows the fluffy Furry Flingerz to easily slide onto the throwing handle and be tossed into the air for your dog to catch. For dogs who don’t chase balls, Furry Flingerz by Flingerz Pet offers interactive play with flinging plush toys.
www.flingerzpet.com
Indipets Organic Rubber Toys After successfully delivering 15 years of feeding products, Indipets has launched its line of All Natural Organic Rubber Toys. Available in a variety of shapes and sizes, the toys are made of durable and safe natural plant-derived rubber, with no plastic or artificial additives. They help maintain oral hygiene and encourage outdoor and indoor play.
www.indipets.us
Pet Factory Tug & Chomp These premium plush toys for dogs come with a variety of cuddly critters and colorful characters with a fun hide-n-seek pocket that reveals a small toy from the mouth. Pet parents can keep their pets engaged in play by pulling, pulling and throwing this interactive toy. With a double squeaker and made with sturdy plush materials, they’re perfect for interactive play.
www.petfactory.com
Chuckit! Value Pack Designed for dogs who love to fetch, all the 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 as the Chuckit ! the lovers have met. The set includes a RingChaser, an Ultra Fetch Stick and a Ring Flight.
www.petmate.com
Tower of Tracks Your cat is sure to have a ball chasing, hitting, hitting, and catching these balls as they run down the track! The Petstages Tower of Tracks ball track toy for cats has three times the levels and balls for three times the fun.
www.petstages.com
Project Hive Dog Toys Dogs will love this Hive Chew Toy that is made in the USA and is treat compatible. Made of recyclable thermoplastic elastomers, it has erratic bounce, floats in water, is non-toxic, BPA-free and dishwasher-safe. With Project Hive Pet Company’s mission to save bees, every purchase helps establish healthy wildflower habitat.
www.projecthivepetcompany.com
HYDRO Toys N-GAGE, a maker of premium dog toys, collars, leashes and travel gear, has launched a new line of HYDRO toys. The improved HYDRO line includes a training bumper and two different ball sizes. The HYDRO bumper is a no-squeak, lighter-weight version of their most popular bumper toy, but with multiple cutouts for easier retrieval. HYDRO balls, available in regular and jumbo sizes, have multiple built-in handles for improved contact and tight play.
www.ngagebrand.com
Power Duo BULLTUG is a modern dog toy company with a range of toys to match all play styles. Popular toys include the brand’s Puzzle Plush and Power Duo, a 2-in-1 product for puppies who love to fetch and chew. The Power Duo rubber dog toy is a textured, heavy-duty tug ring and fetch ball that is among the toughest and most durable toys available on the market for power chewers.
www.bulltug.com
WAUDOG Fun Collection The Fun Collection from WAUDOG features dog toys that are simple, functional and made from durable and easy-to-maintain fabric. The squeakers inside stimulate pets and encourage them to play. A handle allows the parent to play with the pet or toss the toy. The toys are filled with hypoallergenic artificial swan pooch. The toys are produced in three sizes and five vivid designs.
www.collarglobal.com
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.
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