Cute cats can turn almost anything into a toy: a hair tie, a shoelace, the ribbon on a gift. But some things cats love to chase can hurt them if they chew or swallow them.
The good news? Safe cat toys don’t have to be fancy or expensive. A few thoughtful choices can make play fun while protecting your cat’s health. Here’s how to pick toys your cat will love, and how to spot the ones to put away.
What makes a great cat toy?
Cats are natural hunters. A good toy gives them a chance to stalk, chase, pounce, and catch. It might be a small mouse toy to carry around, a ball to bat across the floor, or a crinkle ball that skitters away with a little noise.
Safety comes first, though. Look for toys that are sturdy and don’t have small parts or strand-like pieces that can come loose. Check toys often, especially if your cat likes to chew. If a toy is damaged, fraying, or shedding pieces, take it away.
Also check the play area. Move heavy objects that could fall, and keep active play away from high spots where a distracted cat could slip or fall.
A safe starter kit for everyday play
Start simple. A small stuffed mouse, an intact ping pong ball, or a crinkle ball can inspire plenty of stalking and chasing. Cardboard boxes are great for hiding and pouncing, too.
Paper bags can be fun, but cut off the handles first so your cat can’t get tangled. And if your cat tends to chew or break toys apart, supervise play and remove anything that starts to come loose.
You don’t need to spend much to keep play interesting. A box, a paper bag with its handles removed, or a ping pong ball may be just as exciting as a new gadget. Choose toys that are the right size for your cat and don’t have pieces they could swallow.
Wand toys: fun with one important rule
Many cats love wand and fishing-pole-style toys. A wand lets you move a toy around while keeping your hands away from your cat’s pouncing paws. Keep the “prey” moving, but let your cat catch it now and then. Cats can lose interest if every chase ends in a miss.
Never leave your cat unattended with a wand toy. The string can tangle around them, or they may chew and swallow it. Put the toy away as soon as playtime is over.
And keep your hands and feet out of the game. Wiggling fingers under a blanket may seem harmless when a kitten is tiny, but it can teach them that body parts are toys.
How a blanket game can become a foot attack
Consider a fictional but familiar example: a family plays with their kitten by wiggling toes under the blanket. The kitten grows up, and by age two the adult cat is ambushing bare feet at hallway corners. One day, a scratch gets infected.
The family switches all play to wand toys, keeping hands and feet out of the chase. Within a few weeks, the foot attacks stop.
It’s a simple cat tip that can save both your toes and your cat from learning an unwanted habit: make toys the target, not people.
Strings, ribbons, and hair ties: the sneaky hazards
String, yarn, ribbon, rubber bands, and hair ties may look like easy toys, but they can be dangerous if swallowed. A long, thin object can get caught in the digestive tract and cause a serious blockage or injury. Keep these items out of reach, and don’t leave string-like toys out after play.
If you think your cat has swallowed string, ribbon, or a similar object, call your vet. Never pull a visible string from your cat’s mouth or rear. It may be caught farther inside, and pulling could cause more harm.
Also avoid toys with small parts or loose feathers that can separate and be swallowed, and keep electrical cords your cat might chew safely out of reach.
Catnip: optional, not essential
Catnip affects cats differently. The response is genetic, and about half of cats don’t respond to it at all. For cats who do, the effects are usually short-lived and can range from relaxed to excited. If catnip seems to make your cat agitated, skip it.
Rotate toys and let your cat win
Cats often play in short bursts followed by rest. If your cat wanders off after a few minutes, it doesn’t necessarily mean the toy is a dud.
Try play around dawn or dusk, when cats are naturally more active. Several sessions of about 10 minutes a day work well for many cats. Keep about 20 toys in your stash, but put out only four or five at a time. Swap them weekly to make familiar toys feel new.
During a chase, keep the toy moving like prey, but don’t make your cat work forever without a win. Let them catch and “kill” the toy before you finish.
Puzzle feeders: play plus dinner
Puzzle feeders and foraging toys give cats a chance to work for food, like they would when hunting. You can buy one or make a simple version from a plastic bottle or container, using food-sized holes. Smooth every edge so there are no sharp bits, and supervise to make sure your cat isn’t chewing off pieces.
The 7-item cat toy safety checklist
Before play, take a quick look:
- No loose strands: Put away string, yarn, ribbon, rubber bands, and hair ties.
- No chewable cords: Keep electrical cords out of reach.
- No detachable bits: Avoid small pieces, loose feathers, and decorations that could come off.
- Check for damage: Remove toys that are frayed, broken, or shedding pieces.
- Supervise wand play: Put wand and fishing-pole toys away when play ends.
- Make the room safe: Move heavy objects that might fall and play away from risky heights.
- Keep hands and feet out of the game: Direct pouncing onto a toy instead.
When to call the vet
Call your vet promptly if your cat may have swallowed string, ribbon, a hair tie, or part of a toy, even if they seem fine. Seek veterinary advice if you notice repeated vomiting, gagging, not eating, low energy, hiding, or belly pain after possible chewing or swallowing.
Never pull a visible string from your cat’s mouth or rear. If you see one, contact your vet for instructions.
Sources
- VCA: Cat Behavior and Training, Play and Play Toys
- Cornell Feline Health Center: Safe Toys and Gifts
- VCA: Linear Foreign Body in Cats