What Kind of Toys Do Cats Like To Chew On?

Although our trusty feline companions are similar to us in many ways, some of their habits and needs are slightly different. They may enjoy playing and socializing just like us humans, but unlike us, it's normal for dogs and cats to have a desire to chew.

So how can we pet parents help them achieve this natural behavior?

How to pick the best chew toy for my dog or cat

In addition to providing enrichment and stimulation for your pet, chew toys are also helpful for pet parents. For example, some chew toys are specially designed to help clean your trusted companion's teeth and reduce the risk of dental disease. Less seriously, the perfect chew toy might distract your trusty companion from chewing on your favorite shoes!

With so many different chew toys to choose from, it can be difficult to know how to make the right choice. In this article, we’ll cover some key points that may help you think about when making your choice.

Safety vs. Durability: What Are the Best Dog or Cat Chew Toys?

The size of your trusty companion and the strength of their jaws and teeth will affect the type of chew toy that's right for them.

The idea is to provide something that is firm enough to create a satisfying feeling when chewed without damaging their mouth, but not so soft that it breaks into small pieces that can then be swallowed and cause gastrointestinal issues.

Below, we list a few points about safety and chew toys:

Provide species-specific toys to chew on - Avoid giving toys designed for human babies to chew on as they may not be the right size or contain materials, chemicals or small debris that are unsafe for dogs or cats.

Chew Toys and Treats – Some chew toys are designed to allow pet parents to hide treats inside. It's especially good to reward your pet with a treat in a chew toy, just make sure it doesn't distract from their meal time or provide too many extra calories.

Replace chew toys before they break or become too worn out - While you can expect a chew toy to be durable to a certain extent, it won't last forever. Frequent replacement helps reduce the risk of accidental ingestion of debris and damage to your pet's gastrointestinal system.

Be aware that chew toys can pose a choking hazard - anything that can be placed behind your dog's back teeth can be a choking hazard, according to relevant pet food manufacturers.

Supervise your pet while they chew – not only is it nice to see your trusty companion enjoying their chew toy, but it’s also nice to be there if you need to step in.

Quality over price – Chew toys are a worthwhile investment. Be sure to buy good quality toys rather than cheap ones to reduce the risk of them breaking or containing harmful materials.

Don’t leave chew toys outside—exposure to sunlight can soften them and make them more likely to break. This can lead to later ingestion of small pieces and gastrointestinal problems.

Often, the durability of a chew toy is also related to the age of your trusted companion. This requires our usual careful observation to find the toys that are most suitable for our babies.