Years ago, due to several reasons, I decided that it was time for me to have a pet. After careful consideration, the pet I chose was an infant cat. At first, I was really happy to welcome the new companion into my house – she was just so cute and adorable. However, a problem arose when she started teething: she enjoyed chewing my belongings, which initially caused nightmares for me. After asking for consultation from my friends, I decided to buy a cat chew toy, which finally solved the problem.
Nowadays, cat chew toys come in different brands, styles and designs, so choosing the most appropriate one for your furry companion may prove to be a brain-hacking process. After testing several models, I have come up with a list of chewing toys that are worth your investment. If you would like to learn more in detail, please continue to read.
When to buy cat chew toys?
As I have mentioned before, a cat chew toy is the best solution to preventing your pet from chewing your items and keeping him/her from disturbing you while you want to have some rest. This is especially true during your cat’s teething stages, when the eruption of permanent teeth may cause aches in their gums and make him/her tend to chew things to relieve that pain. In addition, as cats have no way to “brush” their teeth like humans, chewing toys provide a method for them to clean their gums and stay away from dental problems.
Before having a look at my recommended cat chew toy list, let’s learn more about cat teething stages. Normally, kittens are born without teeth. The teething process will then take place as follows:
* 2 weeks old: The milk teeth start erupting through the gums.
* 4 weeks old: Around this point, your kitten should begin developing their incisors/ fangs.
* 6-8 weeks old: Your kitten starts to get their baby premolars. By the end of 6-8 weeks old, he/she should have 26 milk teeth.
* 11 weeks old: The permanent teeth start erupting to replace the milk teeth. This marks the beginning of your pet’s chewing stage.
* 4 months old: The primary incisors/ fangs are lost to make place for permanent teeth.
* 6 months old: The permanent tooth eruption comes to the final stage, and will normally end by the time your kitten reaches a year old.
At the start of your pet’s chewing stage, he/she will start to chew things, which without notice will surely cause nightmares for you. In order to be better prepared for this, there are a few signs for you to watch out for so that you can provide him/her with a teething toy on time:
– Reluctance to eating: The eruption of permanent teeth will cause some irritability to your pet’s gums, which may make them hesitate to eat.
– Excessive chewing: Your kitty tends to chew anything that is within their mouth’s reach.
– Bad breath: This is a sign normally associated with teething.
– Sore gums: Signs such as sore gums, minor bleeding and swelling may also indicate the beginning of your pet’s teething stage.
Now that we have learned when to buy cat chew toys, let’s have a look at some of the best ones, which I have tested before and found worth the investment.
Here are he best cat chew toys on the market
1. Penn Plax Play Fur Mice Cat Toys – Mixed Bag of 12 Play Mice with Rattling Sounds – 3 Color Variety Pack – CAT531, Black and White
The fact that cats love eating mice is an omnipresent thing, which means that feeding your furry friend with mice is going to excite him/ her for sure. Then what about giving them a cat chew toy that resembles real mice? That’s gonna stir them up!
Penn Plax Play Fur Mice Cat Toys package consists of 12 well-designed mice, which are capable of producing rattling sounds to further resemble real creatures. This feature is not commonly seen in other similar items. The sound is loud enough to entertain your buddy, while quiet enough to avoid distracting you.
The cat chew toys are not only nice to look at; they are also very durable, even when subjected to various harsh conditions and constant biting. My cat has been playing with this for years; yet the faux fur material still appears to be in good condition.
The only concern that I have for this cat chew toy is its tails – there have been reports of the tails coming off when the toys are given to extremely playful cats. Furthermore, the fact that cats love these “mice” means that they may hide them under couches, beds and chairs, which may cause inconvenience when you clean the house. Despite those cons, I still believe that Penn Plax Play Fur Mice Cat Toys is the perfect toy for cats of all ages and sizes. If your buddy exhibits any sign of addiction towards mice, I’m sure that you will want to try this – you will not be disappointed at all!
2. HDP Petstages Night time Catnip Rolls #740
HDP Petstages Night time Catnip Roll set is notable for being one of the best choices when it comes to cat chew toys for aggressive chewers. The package includes 3 rolls to better attract your kitten’s attention and distract him/her from damaging your own belongings.
The cat chew toys are made from high-quality North American catnip and contain no fillers at all. The material is durable enough to withstand constant chewing, while also soft enough to make your kitty enjoy playing with and avoid causing any noise that may interrupt your night time’s rest.
Thanks to being shaped as small sticks, HDP Petstages Catnip Rolls are very suitable for your kitty to bite and carry around your house. As a result, he/she will always stay entertained and find no reason to disturb your privacy.
To sum up, if you are continuously being woken up by your buddy during night time, this cat chew toy is the perfect solution to your problem. That being said, the product does have its cons. The catnip may leak out while your cat carries the rolls, which may require some cleanup afterwards. Not to mention, the ends are a little sharp, so you need to pay attention to see if your pet suffers from any injuries at all.
3. Petstages Dental Health Cat Chew Toys
Well, the runner-up in my list. Petstages Dental Health cat chew toys are filled with catnip and fibrous catnip stalks that crinkle when your pet bites on them; hence, he/she will find it pleasant to crunch on the rolls and be encouraged to further play with them. This in the end should promote better dental health for your cat by removing the tartar inside their teeth and stimulating gums.
Although the outer netting may seem loose, it is extremely durable and will not unravel even when subjected to constant chewing. This results in longer product’s lifespan and saves you from the stress of continuously buying new things, especially if your furry companion is an aggressive chewer.
Aside from the crunchy texture, the cat chew toy is lightweight enough for your pet to have little difficulty carrying it around your house and make him/her enjoy playing with it. This engagement is further enhanced by the toy’s fun shape and knotted streamers, which should draw attention from even the most bored cat.
Overall, the above-mentioned features make Petstages Dental Health Cat Chew Toys a great item to purchase. I only wish that it was bigger, as my cat sometimes lost hold of it due to the small size.
4. Niteangel Cat Catnip Natural Matatabi Chew Sticks Teeth Grinding Chew Toy
The two cat chew toys that I discussed earlier are all made from catnip, which contains a special ingredient named Nepetalactone. This chemical is proven to be a cat attractant, which means that most cats will enjoy playing with and chewing on things made from catnip. However, there are exceptions – some individuals do no exhibit such affection. In that case, you may want to consider this.
Niteangel Cat Catnip Natural Matatabi Chew Sticks Teeth Grinding Chew Toy is made from Matatabi (or, as it is usually referred to, Silverine). Like catnip, matatabi is also a well-known cat attractant. The only difference is that it contains two different active ingredients, which may pose a euphoric effect on cats that are not excited by catnip. Hence, Niteangel cat chew toy is a great alternative to common catnip toys, especially if your kitty shows no interest in objects made from catnip.
The matatabi wood is 100% natural and does not contain any additives or conservatives, so you can be assured that it is perfectly safe for your pet’s health. Its soft texture makes the toy easily pierced and helps remove tartar inside your cat’s gums.
The chewing toy comes in the form of 12-centimeter long sticks, which your cat will surely enjoy playing with. In addition, you can also add food or treats to it for your kitty to have better playing experience. In other words, if you are looking for a cat edible chew toy, Niteangel teeth grinding toy is a totally worthwhile consideration.
In conclusion, Niteangel teething toy is a viable option for those whose cats are not interested in regular catnip toys. The product is conveniently sold in 4 different packages (10, 20, 30 and 40 pieces).
5. Petstages Catnip Chew Mice
“A cute and adorable cat chew toy mouse” is the description I would like to associate with this product. Petsatges Catnip Chew Mice package includes 2 colorful mouse-shaped toys that is both attractive to your kitty and pleasant for you to watch.
The 2 “mice” are filled with catnip, which as mentioned before is a well-known cat attractant. Therefore, your kitty will have memorable time playing with and biting on them. Due to their lightweight, your cat will be free to bat and toss them around the house as he/she like, which ensures him/her to always stay busy and have little reason to disturb your rest.
In addition to the excitement it provides, Petstages Catnip Chew Mice also plays an important role in improving your pet’s dental health. The outer netting of the two “mice” helps remove nasty tartar inside your cat’s teeth and massage his/her gums. No matter how hard he/she chews, the netting will not unravel, which allows it to serve his/her hygiene purpose for much longer.
To sum up, Petsages Catnip Chew Mice package is an ideal choice for those loving “cute” cat chew toys. If your kitty is a fan of mouse cat toys, I would see little reason for you not to try this.
If you would like to learn more about mouse cat toys, please feel free to click here.
6. (REFILLABLE) 15″ Catnip Cat Kicker Toys/Kitty Kick Sticks/Cat Kick Stix
West Coast Pet Products’ cat kicker toy measures about 15″ long by 2.5″ wide, which makes it one of the biggest kick toys on the market. It is filled with fresh Canadian catnip and poly fill to better attract cats and distract them from damaging your own furniture. Its catnip scent is an irresistible thing to even the most indifferent cats. In my case, my furry friend loves it so much that he even ignores me sometimes. That’s just lovely!
Unlike other cat chew toys, this toy is refillable – when the catnip kicker scent starts to wear off, you may add new fresh catnip to it through the pocket sewn on its side. This makes the product ideal for long-term use and ensures that your buddy will never be robbed of his/her excitement. The pocket is also tight enough to prevent catnip leaking, even if your friend is very playful.
The outer layer is made from heavyweight Denim fabric, which provides dependable durability. However, from my own experience, it is not very suitable for extremely aggressive chewers – my friend’s cat was able to tear a small hole in it and eat the stuffing inside, which he found a little uncomfortable with. Hence, as long as you own a mild cat, I believe this cat chew toy is a worthwhile consideration.
7. KTCLCATF Catnip Toys Fish Cat Toys Catnip Toys
Well, just like mice, fish are loved by cats, don’t they? If a mouse-shaped cat chew toy is appealing to most cats, then a fish-shaped one totally makes sense, right?
KTCLCATF utilizes 3D printing in the making of their product, which results in a realistic fish-shaped toy that your kitty will surely love. The doll is made from catnip – a well-known cat attractant – to better attract your furry companion. It is also very soft and lightweight, so your cat will be able to carry it around the house with little difficulty. With KTCLCATF Catnip Fish Cat Toy, you can feel assured that your fish-loving buddy will never get bored, and you will be able to mind your own business while he/she plays with and enjoys his/her “meals”.
Another important benefit of this product is its ability to function as an ideal interactive cat toy thanks to the fish shape design. Not only does it allow your kitty to have fun, it also provides him/her with physical and mental stimulation. By chasing and chewing the fish toy, your cat is given the opportunity to have some exercise and develop their innate hunting instincts.
KTCLCATF offers their cat chew toy in various fish shapes. You may try all of these options to find out which one best suit your kitten’s taste.
As much as I adore the cuteness and effectiveness of this toy, I would not recommend it if your cat is an aggressive chewer, as he/she might just rip it apart and eat the stuffing inside.
If you would like to learn more about interactive cat toys, do not hesitate to click here.
8. SunGrow Natural Seagrass/Banana Leaf Ball for Rabbits
I really love the fact that Sungrow Leaf Ball Toy is made from all natural seagrass fibers, which are woven and tied together with twines. Little artificial adhesive is used during manufacture. Due to the natural material, no toxic or harmful chemicals are emitted, which makes this both environmentally friendly and completely safe for your pet’s health. With the availability of Sungrow Leaf Ball Toy, maybe it’s time for you to say goodbye to the common plastic and metal pet toys that are found everywhere in the market nowadays.
The ball is purposefully designed as a cat chew toy for teething. During your cat’s teething stage, he/she is prone to chewing everything within his/her mouth’s reach, which if left unchecked will result in serious damage to your furniture and belongings. Now, Sungrow Leaf Ball Toy provides a solution to this dilemma: its size is suitable for your pet to roll around, bounce and play with it, and its material helps prevent any harm to your sensitive buddy’s health. By chewing this toy, your kitty will be able to clean their teeth and enjoy better dental health.
However, the most notable feature of this cat chew toy is its suitability for a variety of pets. Its coconut fiber is loved by bunnies and other pets such as birds, hamster and gerbils. Just give it to your adorable furry friends and watch them happily munching on it – I’m sure no hard-core pet owner can find this unenjoyable.
In conclusion, Sungrow Leaf Ball Toy is a natural and versatile cat chew toy that your furry companions will surely love. The price is pretty affordable, so buying one is unlikely to be a waste of money.
9. Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick
If your kitty is an extremely picky one and show no affection towards regular catnip and matatabi, maybe it’s time for you to try another attractant: mint!
Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick is filled with mint, which is basically a cousin of catnip. The sweet smelling mint is not only appealing to most cats, but also helps freshen their breath. If your buddy constantly suffers from bad breath (especially during his/her teething stage), you may want to give this a try.
In addition to the above-mentioned benefit, the cat chew toy is also beneficial in terms of dental health. Normally, most pet owners only reward their furry friends with soft foods and treats. Although the reason for this tendency is self-explanatory, it also means that your kitties will have little chance to remove the tartar build-up deep inside their jaws. Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick provides a crunchy object for them to bite on and eventually clean up their teeth afterwards. It also helps soothe tender gums and gives your furry friend a chance to exercise their jaw muscles and maintain strength.
Though the netting is made from fabric, that does not necessarily mean that the 3 sticks are not durable. Even when subjected to constant chewing, the netting will not unravel, so Petstages stick set is a fine choice for pet owners whose cats are aggressive chewers.
10. 3 Pcs Squeaky Pet Chew Toy Rubber Molar Stick Bite Resistant Cleaning Teeth Toys
The first thing that comes to my mind at the mention of Running Pet’s teeth toys is its unique design. The outer layer is filled with spiked dental nubs, which act as a tartar remover and promote better dental health for your furry friend. The interior squeaker design makes your pet feel entertained and gives him/her a way to relieve stress whenever he/she gets bored. Now, you no longer need to worry about the state of your furniture while not at home, as these chew toys should keep them busy for the whole time.
The teeth toys are not only helpful in protecting your belongings; it also plays the important role of improving the relationship between you and your pet. As long as your buddy loves these sticks, you can use them as a great interactive toy to better train him/her.
Running Pet’s package includes 2 stick teeth toys made from food-grade, BPA-free TRP materials. As a result, the chew toys are friendly both to your pet’s health and to the environment. In addition to that, the materials also boast dependable durability and resistance to constant biting from your buddy, so you may enjoy the benefit it provides for much longer. If necessary, the teething sticks can be conveniently washed without leaving any residual dirt.
Running Pet’s teething sticks are viable cat chew toys. As a result, it is a great tool to strengthen the relationship between these 2 types of canine companion.
11. SymbolLife Molar Teeth Rubber Mini Pacifier Chew Toy
SymbolLife Molar Teeth Rubber Mini Pacifier Chew Toy is designed as a colorful bell that is certain to draw the attention of your pet. Its rubber material gives the cat chew toy enough softness to avoid causing discomfort to your flurry friend, and enough durability to withstand chewing and environmental damage.
The spiky texture helps encourage your buddy to bite on and play with this crunchy object. In addition, it also serves the purpose of removing tartar build-up in his/her jaws and protects him/her from serious dental problems.
You may use SymbolLife Molar Teeth Rubber Mini Pacifier Chew Toy to entertain your pet and keep them busy while you mind your own business. Or you may also use it as an interactive and educational toy to better train your buddy. The price is pretty affordable, which adds a nice bonus incentive to buying one. Just imagine ringing this beautiful bell and seeing your pet get excited at the sight of it – you cannot tell how heart-breaking it is!
How to choose the most durable cat chew toys
With the availability of copious options nowadays, pet owners may find it really confusing to decide which cat chew toy is the best. In order to make the correct decision, you need to take into consideration some certain factors. Among these factors, perhaps the most important one is durability – you want a cat chew toy that is capable of withstanding constant chewing from your kitty so as to prolong the product’s lifespan and save you from the stress of finding a replacement.
Here are a few tips for you to increase the chance of purchasing a durable teething toy:
– Make sure that the materials are strong enough to hold up to your kitty’s biting and chewing. Generally, you want to look out for cat chew toys made from durable fabric such as cotton and polyester. In case your pet tends to exhibit aggressive chewing behavior, rubber and plastic are among recommended alternatives, as they are much more durable than the above-mentioned fabric types.
However, keep in mind that plastic teething toys may contain chemicals that are not suitable for your buddy’s well-being.
– Before buying a cat chew toy, carefully examine to see if it is securely made with heavy string that can hold up to long playing sessions.
Other things that need your attention include double stitching, hidden seams, reinforced corners and edges that are resistant to fraying.
– You can test the sturdiness of the product by carefully pulling on the top and then let it go – if it comes apart and returns to the normal shape, the cat chew toy is OK.
Conclusion
A cat chew toy is a nice tool to protect your precious belongings from the voracious jaws of your playful cat, especially during their teething stage. Not to mention, it allows your pet to always have fun, even when you are busy or resting, and helps strengthen the bond they share with you.
Picking the most appropriate teething toy may be very challenging for both newbies and hard-core pet owners, considering the abundance of several models and brands nowadays. Hence, for your convenience, I would like to present you my own list of the best cat chew toys in terms of effectiveness, durability and price. Hopefully, by studying my in-depth analysis, you should be able to make the correct purchase.
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