Itis actually made for children 1 1/2+ It is hard plastic so not too easy to destroy. I paid about $6 for it at the Anderson's, a local owned store sortalike a wal-mart...they have a little of everything. it does require 3 AA batteries, so it is not something I will leave out for the dogs when we are not here to watch them with it (although it screws together to get the batteries in and out, so they aren't going ot just "pop" them out and start munching on them