- The Best Chew Toys for Cat
- 1. Petstages Catnip and Dental Health Cat Toys
- 2. Pelay Ball Toys for Cats
- 3. CatTwig Silver Vine Sticks Chew Toy
- 4. KONG Kitten Teddy Bear
- 5. Yeowww! Catnip Toy
- 6. KONG Cat Wubba Mouse
- 7. SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toys
- 8. Bojafa Cat Catnip Toys for Cats
- 9. Leaps & Bounds Teething Balls Kitten Toy Set
- 10. Catnip Sticks 40 PCS Organic Cat Catnip
Want to hear a horrifying statistic? According to the Cornell Feline Health Center, between 50% and 90% of cats ageing above four years of age suffer from some form of dental disease. However, the good news is that most of these dental diseases are treatable. And one cost-effective way that vets encourage owners to treat their cats dental difficulties are with chew toys. Not only will cat chew toys scrape the plaque and tartar from cats' teeth, they'll also provide your feline with the mental stimulation they crave throughout the day when you've got too much on your plate to play with them.
So, where do you start searching for your cat's favorite future chew toy? Look no further. Amassed within this buying guide are what we believe to be the best cat chew toys on the market; each one equipped with the ability to transform your cat's teeth from plaque-ridden to squeaky clean.
The Best Chew Toys for Cat
1. Petstages Catnip and Dental Health Cat Toys
Key Features
Packed full of catnip
Toy made of three different types of fabric
“Tons of Tails” made to be lightweight for superior batting and tossing
To owners, Petstages’ Ton of Tails may appear to be the strangest combination of colors and strings. For cats, however, these tails of all different textures grant them endless hours of fun. Made out of three different fabric textures, these fun floppy streamers make it easy for cats to carry their toy around in their mouths thanks to the toy’s lightweight construction.
And with a colossal amount of catnip inside, cats will welcome the chemical nepetalactone and its ability to stimulate their sensory neurons. In fact, we bet your kitten will be so delighted with their new toy they won’t even consider taking their teething discomfort out on your sofa.
2. Pelay Ball Toys for Cats
Key Features
Balls made of non-toxic silicone to facilitate healthy play
Natural mint aromas ensure your dog’s breath is minty-fresh
Side slots can be used to hide away small treats
Although Pelay’s ball toys are indeed advertised for dogs, kitties will also benefit from the endless play possibilities these balls offer. Although they’re not catnip-infused like many other teething toys, these balls do dispense treats which can be hidden by you in the side slots and balls’ hollow centers, thereby keeping your kittens entertained. Take a look at our review of the best cat treats for more options
For a respectable price, you’ll receive two non-toxic soft rubber balls made of 100% natural rubber so your cat’s teeth will be protected. After they’ve satisfied their chewing habits for the night, all you’ve got to do is run them under the tap to clean them and ensure your cat’s continued oral hygiene. From their natural minty aroma to their ergonomic structure, it’s hard not to fall head over heels in love with Pelay’s product.
3. CatTwig Silver Vine Sticks Chew Toy
Key Features
Owners can hold the sticks for their cat to chew to facilitate bonding time
Silver vine sticks are safe for cats to gnaw and chew on
Silver vine ingredient carefully sourced from the mountainous regions of Asia
Most cats love toys and chews filled with catnip, so it’s even more of a shame that approximately one-third of felines’ genetics mean these unlucky cats cannot enjoy its benefits. Thankfully, CatTwig’s Silver Vine Sticks ensure high potency for these poor kittens thanks to the natural, unprocessed silver vine herb inside.
The bark these sticks are made of is designed to exfoliate plaque from a cat’s teeth, thereby facilitating healthy gums and overall dental health. Plus, in order to extend the potency and freshness of silver vine, manufacturers over at CatTwig ship out their sought-after sticks in resealable, environmentally friendly packaging. Most owners don’t have to worry about CatTwig’s silver vine sticks losing this potency, however, as cats usually chew them to shreds before this point!
4. KONG Kitten Teddy Bear
Key Features
Made with soft, plush material
Cats cannot get enough of KONG’s Premium North American Catnip inside
Material designed to make a crinkling sound to keep young cats entertained
Kong’s Kitten Teddy Bear cat toy is quite simply one of the cutest pet toys we’ve laid our eyes upon. This first-rate cat chew toy is made out of durable material that “crinkles” as cats play, keeping them endlessly entertained. The plush material is so soft and comfortable that when kittens exhaust themselves from playing with their teddy bear, they tend to use it as a make-do pillow!
Available in both baby blue and pink, KONG’s teddy bear even contains premium catnip, grown sustainably in North America. For over forty years, KONG have been successfully offering our pets mental and physical stimulation through toys, and this teddy bear isn’t an exception.
5. Yeowww! Catnip Toy
Key Features
Filled with organic catnip
Made of a durable cotton twill fabric
Curve of banana-shaped toy renders it easy for cats to hold and chew upon
Although kittens younger than three months won’t be able to reap the benefits of the catnip inside Yeowww’s yellow banana toy, adult cats will go wild for the catnip – otherwise referred to as Nepeta cataria if you’re feeling fancy – inside this yellow banana. All catnip the company use is organically grown; they believe that only the best is suitable for cats.
Containing no fillers, this banana-shaped toy is made out of a durable cotton twill fabric that resists even you cat’s sharp fangs. For cats who love to chew ferociously, the option is yours to buy a pack of two bananas incase your cat tears one apart trying to reach the irresistible catnip!
6. KONG Cat Wubba Mouse
Key Features
Various tails “crinkle” to keep cats entertained
Made out of durable polyester blends
Contains KONG’s premium North American catnip
Kong’s Cat Wubba Mouse may look more like a deranged octopus with its various tails, but cats take to this toy nonetheless. The satisfying “crinkle” noise each of the tails make will drive cats wild. Combined with the rattling sound coming from the center, your feline won’t want to put their Kong cat toy down.
Owners with cats who take a little coaxing to get them exercising are delighted that they can through Wubba Mouse and their cats will actually chase after it! And although it’s nice to pretend that it’s the prospect of playing with them that encourages their cat to get up and moving, we bet that KONG’s premium North American catnip has a large part to play.
7. SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toys
Key Features
Comes in a set of three mice
Lightweight structure for cats to swat around as they please
Contain 50% more catnip than previous design
What’s better than one mouse toy to keep your cat amused? A set of three of them. Designed to satisfy felines of all life stages’ urge to chew, these four-inch cat chew toys feature adorable little twine tails that are practically indestructible – even when up against a cat’s jaws and their chewing power!
As owners watch their cats roll around the carpet with the body of a “skitter critter” in their mouths, they can take solace in the fact that the toy’s fiberfill is made from 100% recycled plastic. There’s no better feeling knowing that you’ve bought cat toys that both encourage your cat to play and help save the planet at the same time!
8. Bojafa Cat Catnip Toys for Cats
Key Features
Creative cat chew toys all possess fun facial expressions
Durable cotton linen designed to resist wear and tear
Stuffed with soft PP cotton and catnip to keep your cat both safe and interested
You could trawl the internet for hours on end and still fail to find a cat toy design as adorable as Bojafa’s Cat Catnip Toys. Available in grey, red, yellow, pink, and black, these cat chew toys’ expressive facial expressions are so cute owners find themselves wanting to protect them from their cats’ sharp teeth.
Although it’s highly unlikely that these catnip toys will meet a sticky end given their exterior is made of durable cotton linen, the safe soft PP cotton inside will prevent them from choking. We bet you’ll notice their dental health improve leaps and bounds!
9. Leaps & Bounds Teething Balls Kitten Toy Set
Key Features
Attached ribbons allow cats to carry teething balls in their mouths
Function as a fantastic distraction for kittens
Spiny texture of the balls provides a satisfying texture to chew on
Designed to help kitties through the aches and pains of teething, Leaps and Bounds teething balls boast a spiny, rubber texture for them to chew upon. These chew toys are larger in size than many customers suspect, meaning that older kittens and adult cats will benefit from these brightly colored cat toy balls the most.
Whether you wish to swing them from their ribbons for your cat to swipe at or throw for them to chase, we bet your kitten will love the feel and shape of these chew toys on their teeth and gums to such an extent that they’ll go hurtling after them!
10. Catnip Sticks 40 PCS Organic Cat Catnip
Key Features
Matatabi silvervine sticks made of natural and unprocessed material
Sticks arrive in resealable bags to ensure the catnip inside remains fresh
The ideal product for guaranteeing your cat’s dental health is up to scratch
Cats with insatiable chewing habits are hard to please. If you’re at a loss, Vanene’s Matabi Sticks are bound to keep them satisfied. Each one of these forty sticks has been meticulously shaped for eliminating the tartar and plaque from the teeth of cats who like to chew.
For a bargain price, your feline will reap the benefits of the catnip inside these wonderful cat chew toys. And incase you were worried about the potency of the herb diminishing over time, these Matabi sticks are shipped sealed in resealable bags to keep the catnip fresh. The team over at Vanene have thought of everything to ensure your cat’s dental health remains in optimal condition.
Best Cat Chew Toys Buying Guide & FAQ
What is a Cat Chew Toy?
The majority of cats are fiercely independent and take great pride in their personal hygiene. In fact, the average cat likes to spend between 30% and 50% of their day grooming their body. Yet owners tend to forget that maintaining oral hygiene is largely their responsibility, not their cat's!
Cat chew toys exist as a fun way for owners to protect their cat's teeth besides daily tooth brushing. The best cat chew sticks and toys are ergonomically designed so as your cat plays, their teeth and gums will become clean as a result of the shape or texture of their toy.
What to Look for in Cat Chew Toys
The best cat chew toys are out there, but sifting through the garbage products plastered all over the internet takes a lot of time and hard work. That's why we've put together a list of questions detailing what cats need their chew toys to contain so you get it right first time.
Do the cat chew toys you've got your eye on contain catnip? The volatility of our felines towards catnip has been picked up by producers of cat chew toys everywhere. The catnip effect keeps pesky kitties from clawing your furniture and also encourages kittens to exercise. Even the catnip scent, best described as a slightly minty scent, is light and will keep your home smelling fresh.
How about silver vine? Genetics play a key role as to whether cat are even affected by catnip. In fact, it's even estimated that approximately one-third of cats aren't affected by catnip in the slightest as a result of hereditary genetics. That's why so many owners turn towards silver vine instead. As a plant from the mountainous regions of eastern Asia, the benefits of silver vine have been celebrated for centuries. As well as being used in Asia as a preventative health aid, for centuries powdered silver vine has been used as a cat stimulant. Although silver vine is often compared to catnip, it's been found that the former is more potent than the latter – silver vine contains two cat attractants rather than the one present in catnip.
Benefits of Chew Toys for Cats
Chew toys provide mental stimulation for growing cats: Indoor and growing cats in particular require a large amount of mental stimulation to satisfy their hunting instincts and encourage them to exercise. When you aren't around during the day to play, your cat will be happy to have a plush toy to fool around with,
Destructive chewing is prevented: Say an indoor cat isn't provided with entertainment. Fuelled by boredom, it's highly likely that they'll turn towards chewing on your plush new sofa instead. Don't turn this nightmare scenario into reality and plan ahead by providing them with chew toys ASAP!
Our Top Pick
Our chew toys list is full of ingenious creations to such an extent that it's tempting to buy each and every chew toy for our cats. But if budget doesn't allow for this expenditure, the cat toy that stands out in particular is Petstages' Ton of Tails. Cats love this crazy catnip toy particularly due to the fun floppy streamers consisting of three fabric textures that keep cats interested and their teeth clean. Plus, Petstages designed their cat toy to be lightweight so owners could bat and toss this Petstages dental ball without any problems. What a fun way to bond with your cat, all the while ensuring that their oral hygiene is supported.
Best Chew Toys for Cat FAQ:
Q: Do cats go through a teething phase?
Although incredibly rapid, kittens do indeed undergo a teething phase. This period usually begins at between ten weeks to six months of age and tends to be uncomfortable. To go into greater detail, a kitten's primary incisors are replaced by thirty permanent teeth that will see them through adulthood and (hopefully) their senior years.
If you notice your kitten drooling or turning down their food during this time period, don't worry. After all, their adult tooth buds are moving though bones and erupting through their gums – it's bound to be an uncomfortable time for them!
Q: Does my kitten need a chew toy?
Not treating your kitten to chew toys isn't the end of the world. Kittens are incredibly curious creatures enamored by the world around them, so it certainly won't take them long for them to conjure up something else for them to chew to shreds. Nonetheless, chew toys are created with the objective to alleviate kittens' discomfort. Plus, unlike the other miscellaneous items scattered around your home, these toys have been designed with the protection of your kitten's delicate incisors in mind.
Q: Are cat chew sticks safe?
Regarding whether catnip or silver vine leaf sticks are safe for cats, we're here to tell you that all natural and unprocessed sticks made by trustworthy companies are indeed harmless for felines everywhere. Every cat chew stick included in Petside's product selection has been rigorously tested to guarantee compatibility with cats' teeth and digestive system. It's when you start handing over your cash to unreliable brands that problems start to arise.
Q: Is it bad for cats to chew on cardboard?
Generally, it won't harm your cat's teeth one bit to chew upon and probably tear to shreds the odd piece of cardboard lying around your house. Before you do, however, it's your responsibility to remove anything on the cardboard that may harm your loveable kitty:
Tape: The large majority of deliveries are packaged with tape that, if a cat ingested, may result in intestinal blockage.
Debris: All responsible cat owners out there should wipe down cardboard boxes to eradicate any small particles that may have latched to them.
Staples: Although staples are handy for securing the goods inside cardboard boxes, these sharp objects run the risk of fatally injuring cats.
Given the large amount of work cat owners must do before allowing their kitty to tear apart cardboard boxes, we therefore believe that buying cat toys instead is a much more effective use of your time.