Episode Description
What makes a great pet toy? It turns out there’s a lot more to the squeakers, stuffing, and strange shapes than meets the eye. In this episode of Barking Mad, we explore how animal behavior, safety, sustainability, health, and even pop culture are influencing the next generation of pet toy design.
Recorded at Interzoo 2026 in Nuremberg, Germany, Jordan Tyler sits down with veteran toy designer Sandra Vartanian of Lelo Designs, Victor Carpio of Inventor Cat, and Brandon Lu of PAWTY Toys to explore three very different approaches to innovation. From designing toys that safely satisfy a dog’s natural instinct to destroy to turning feline dental care into play, these conversations reveal how thoughtful design can make play safer, more enriching, and a whole lot more fun.
Show Notes:
🐶Check out BarkBox here: https://bark.co/pages/join-barkbox-fext-ff
🎾 And listen to a previous episode where we sit down with Derek Rippe from BARK: https://bsmpartners.net/barking-mad-podcast/superzoo-2026-part-i-the-blood-sweat-and-treats-of-dog-toy-design-with-bark
🦴Take a look at what the team at Lelo Designs is cooking up: https://lelodesigns.com/
🐕Explore more from Outward Hound here: https://outwardhound.com/
🦷Learn more about Inventor Cat and their unique approach to cat dental hygiene: https://www.inventorcat.co.uk/
🎉Check out PAWTY Toys’ fun and trendy designs here: https://pawty.com/
Episode Chapters:
00:00 — The Surprising Science Behind Pet Toys
02:13 — How the Pet Toy Industry Got Started
05:39 — Are Dogs Supposed to Destroy Their Toys?
07:07 — Sustainability & the Future of Toy Design
09:41 — Turning Cat Dental Care Into Play
14:57 — When Pet Toys Meet Pop Culture
19:24 — Designing Toys with More Than One Life
22:37 — Thanks for Listening & See You Next Time!