Hi Foggy,
please find below some pictures of what I have started out doing, and also of the blanket of doom that is driving me potty!
number 1 - easy peasy cat toy - it is all about crocheting in the round - so a really long straight line crochet that just goes around and around.
I have made several of these for my kittens - they love them.
you could make bigger ones for dogs - just need to start off with a bigger chain circle: