Attractant enhanced apparatus for cats

An attractant apparatus for use by animals. This apparatus is characterized as having surfaces on which the animal can play, scratch, and rub and a retainer for an animal attractant, such as catnip, used to induce such activity. The retainer may be opened to allow for the introduction and removal of the attractant. This cover is characterized as permitting odors emanating from the catnip to pass through, so as to induce play in the animal. An overlay partially covers the retainer to restrict direct access by the animal to the attractant held within the retainer, but allows partial access near the retainer and an additional surface and area for playing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to amusement apparatuses for pets. In particular, this invention relates to an apparatus with an accessible receptacle or retainer containing an odor emitting animal attractant, such as catnip, to stimulate play and provide entertainment for animals.

For example, the house cat is a popular pet due to its personality and high energy. One way that cat owners stimulate play and high energy is by exposing the cat to catnip, ornepatia cataira. Catnip is non-toxic, but it has a hallucinogenic effect upon cats. Some reactions to catnip include sniffing, licking, chewing, scratching, chin and cheek rubbing, rolling, and body rubbing.

Many cat toys utilize catnip to attract cats and stimulate play. In an effort to ensure that only the scent and not the catnip itself is accessible by the cat, the catnip is typically embedded deep within the toy. This limits the scent, and thus, the anticipated catnip response. Additionally, some toys permanently seal the catnip within the toy. In such toys, the catnip may become stale after a period of time and the entire toy must be replaced.

Other animals, such as dogs, also enjoy play stimulated by an odor emitting animal attractant, such as a dog bone or treat.

Accordingly, there is a need for an entertainment apparatus that can provide maximum exposure to the odor emitting animal attractant, such as catnip, and at the same time provide for replacement of the attractant to maximize longevity of the toy.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides such an apparatus for animals that contains a replaceable animal attractant such as, but not limited to, items that emit noises or odors. In the preferred embodiment, the animal attractant is catnip, but may also be any other substance to which an animal shows an attraction or a noise-making toy. With this invention, the pet owner places the selected attractant within a retainer. The retainer is adapted to restrict the animal's direct access to the attractant, by, for example, a piece of material holding an item in place or enclosing a retaining area, but still allows sensory engagement with the attractant. For example, if the attractant is catnip, this partial access still allows the “catnip effect” to be induced, and stimulates the cat to scratch, rub, and play.

According to the present invention, a piece of overlaying, material that covers the retainer and a portion of a planar base may be representative of a mouse or other recognizable figure, comprising ears and a tail which has both an aesthetic purpose and an additional entertainment purpose for the animal.

The overlay is releasably attachable to at least one margin of a planar, carpet-like base so that it can be lifted from the base to provide access by the owner to the retainer for receiving the animal attractant. The overlay is designed to be slightly longer than the base so that when attached, a gap is formed between the overlay and the base. This gap allows the animal to have partial access between the two layers, and allows the animal to get closer to the attractant retainer.

The retainer that holds the catnip or other animal attractant may be covered by a piece of gas permeable or other porous, woven material to allow the scent to escape from the retainer.

The retainer is also preferably releasably attached in order that it can be opened to remove and replace attractant, such as catnip, once it has become stale and its scent has diminished. This allows the apparatus to be functional as an amusement apparatus for a longer period of time.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2are perspective views of an amusement apparatus10having a supple material overlay20that is attached to the planar base30and partially covers a retainer40, or receptacle, such as an elastic band, hook, or any other retention means which restricts the ability of the animal, such as a cat, to access the animal attractant, such as catnip, held within the retainer40.

The supple overlay20and planar base30may be made of the same material. In a preferred embodiment, both the supple overlay20and base30are made of carpeting material with a supple, rubber-like backing, but they may, alternatively, be made of sisal fabric or rope, or any other durable material that is appropriate for an animal, such as a cat, to scratch or climb. The term “supple” used herein refers to a material that bends readily without breaking and is characterized by ease in doing so.

While the illustrated apparatus10resembles a mouse, it is noted that it can alternatively form another figure or may not be representative of any recognizable figure, while supporting the essential elements defined by the claims as set forth herein. The illustrated apparatus, representational of a mouse, includes artificial ears22and a tail24. The ears22may be made from same material as the planar base30and the overlay20, and the tail24from a piece of cord or rope; although the present invention is not limited to such materials. The ears22are preferably stitched to the top of the overlay20, and the tail24is preferably stitched between the planar base30and the overlay20. These non-necessary pieces may also serve as extra sources of entertainment for the animal, such as a cat, in addition to the aesthetic purpose. To complete the appearance of a mouse, the overlay20is preferably cut wider on one end, representational of the body, and narrows on the opposing end, representational of the head, face, and nose of the mouse configuration; however, the overlay20is not limited to this shape.

As shown inFIG. 1, the supple material overlay20may be attached to the planar base by stitching26or any other means of attachment. At least one end may be attached with a releasable fastener28. Fastener28may be any suitable device with compatible parts being respectively attached to the base30and to the overlay20, such as a snap, or hook and loop fastener, the latter conventionally known by the trademark VELCRO®, for example. Alternatively, both ends may be releasably attached to the planar base30by any suitable releasable device described previously.

As shown inFIG. 4, the releasable fastener28on the overlay20is set 1.0625 inches (2.7 cm) beyond its counterpart29on the planar base30so that when the fastener28and counterpart29are joined, an arch-like gap50is formed. As previously noted, an important aspect of this invention is to provide maximum exposure to the scent of the animal attractant, such as catnip, and stimulate play. This gap50facilitates this purpose by allowing the animal partial access to the retainer40(to be hereinafter described) adapted to hold the animal attractant60, such as catnip.

Generally, a retainer40for holding a quantity of the odor-emitting animal attractant60, such as catnip is configured such that the attractant may be inserted and removed as necessary. This retainer40is formed by a fabric cover41preferably attached to the planar base30. The fabric is preferably a woven material such as burlap, but may be any gas permeable, porous material that will allow the attractant scent of catnip to escape from the retainer40. The cover41is preferably attached to the planar base30, but may alternatively be attached to the underside of the supple overlay20. The periphery of the cover41may be substantially attached by a releasable fastener(s)42, such as double-sided adhesive tape or hook and loop fastener, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, with an opening43left unattached. Alternatively, the periphery of the cover41may be wholly attached by releasable fasteners. In yet another alternative, the periphery of the cover41may be permanently attached in at least one area to restrict complete removal of retainer cover41, but to maintain an opening43conducive to receiving or removing catnip60. This satisfies an object of the invention—to maximize longevity of the apparatus by allowing for replacement of the animal attractant when it becomes stale or otherwise ineffective.

In a preferred embodiment, the opening43is oriented towards the permanently attached end25of the overlay20, but any orientation may be suitable.