Most people think of chewing as a dogs-only sport, but there are some kitties out there that enjoy it too.
If you have one of those kitties you probably fear for your computer cords and furniture, not to mention your fingers and toes!
Help steer your cat’s chewing from objects you don’t want teeth marks on to something a little more suitable with some of these best chew toys for cats.
In this article, we’re going to review the following chew toys for cats:
- Petstages Dental Health Chew Cat Toy
- Petstages Catnip Plaque Away Pretzel
- SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toy
- Baodatui Interactive Mouse Toy
- Petstages Nighttime Catnip Rolls
If you think your chewing cat can’t destroy a toy like a rambunctious dog can, think again.
Cats can as be equally hard on their playthings as a playful pup can, so durability and quality should be tops on your list when looking for the perfect chew toys.
Chew toys should be tough enough that your cat can’t mince them up into small piece that can then be spread about the floor or worse yet, swallowed.
Not only do chew toys for cats have to be tough, they also need to be attractive.
All this means is that cats should want to use them.
A chew toy that is too hard won’t be enjoyable and some that make a lot of noise might scare some kitties.
Use what you know about your cat’s likes and dislikes to help you out with this.
Finally, chew toys aren’t just for your cat’s entertainment.
The act of chewing helps to strengthen facial muscles and sinking your cat’s teeth into something helps to promote healthy teeth and gums.
When choosing that perfect chew toy look for something that will help clean tartar from teeth as well.
Some dental chews will even help freshen his breath so that your early morning alarm clock isn’t quite so alarming.
Check out this list of the best chew toys for cats to get your cat chewing today.
Best Chew Toys for Cats Reviews
1. Petstages Dental Health Chew Cat Toy
This chew toy from Petstages features a catnip filled main part that is covered with a heavy fibrous netting that allows your cat to sink her teeth into without unraveling.
There are also streamers from the ends for a little extra playful effect.
The Petstages Dental Health Chew Toy is one if the best chew toys for cats because it is very versatile.
The main part of the toy is filled with catnip leaves and fibrous stalks that allow your cat to chomp down and chew to release the desired catnip effects.
This toy is also lightweight enough to be carried or batted around and the streamers on the ends provide another playful element that cats will really like.
Some cat parents were afraid that this toy was too small and that their cats would eat it.
Others had troubles with the streamers coming off the ends.
Still other kitties just didn’t like this toy and weren’t tempted to bite, chew on, or play with it.
When using this chew toy for the first time, you should always introduce it to your cat while you’re around and show her how to use it to encourage play.
The Petstages Dental Health Chew Toy uses catnip surrounded by a fibrous case to entice your cat to chew.
Chewing on the netting helps to clean tartar from teeth and massage gums to promote a healthy mouth.
The toy is great for other types of play, such as batting or chasing, as well.
Just be aware, it may be on the small side and if you have a kitty that likes to consume rather than just chew, maybe look for a larger toy.
2. Petstages Catnip Plaque Away Pretzel
Another great chew toy for your kitty from Petstages is their Plaque Away Pretzel.
This pretzel shaped toy is filled with catnip and covered in a tough, durable netting that helps to floss and scrape tartar from your cat’s teeth while he chews on it.
The catnip will help attract your kitty to use it.
Kitties can chew on this toy as well as bat or carry it around.
Its small size makes it easy to toss in the air or hide underneath something as well.
Your kitty will like to chew on the catnip filled twists and it will help keep his teeth healthy in return.
Some kitties didn’t like this toy.
We all know that every cat is different and there is no perfect toy that all will play with.
Unfortunately, some just won’t go for this toy even with repeat attempts at play.
If your cat is one of these, you can try by rubbing more catnip on it to attract her attention or by playing with her with the toy.
Try throwing it for her or batting it around in front of her.
Chewing on a Petstages Catnip Plaque Away Pretzel can help keep your cat’s mouth healthy and clean.
The special netting that covers this toy is tough yet able to reach between teeth to remove plaque and other tartar buildup.
This toy also works great to carry or bat around.
You may have to persuade your kitty to use it a little bit as some just don’t like it and won’t play with it at all.
3. SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toy
While these mouse shaped toys are meant to be more for batting and chasing, they are also soft and squishy and just right to bite and chew.
These toys are also laced with catnip for a little extra excitement and the filling is made from recycled plastic.
These little toys from SmartyKat are just right for your cat to bite and chew or to simply pack around.
The catnip will get your kitty interested and provide her with a little burst of energy.
The squishiness will promote biting and chewing which will in turn clean your cat’s teeth and massage her gums.
You can use this toy in many different manners as part of your cat toy collection.
Persistent kitties were able to tear these toys open.
Maybe the catnip drives them to be a little more destructive.
Whatever the case, if your kitty is the destroyer type you might want to go for something that is a little more durable.
Be sure to do some practice runs with these toys while you’re around before leaving your cat home with them in case they do tear them up.
The SmartyKat Catnip Cat Toys are some of the best chew toys for cats because they are soft, squishy and catnip infused to entice your cat to a great game of bat and chase or bite and chew.
The chewing action will help clean her teeth and the other games will keep her entertained for hours.
This product is also made of recycled materials which help everyone out in the long run.
4. Baodatui Interactive Mouse Toy
This cute mouse shaped toy is nicely sized for tossing and batting.
It is also perfectly textured for biting and chewing and squeaks when squeezed.
The fabric cover is durable and promotes a healthy mouth while your cat plays with it and is made from environmentally friendly cotton.
The Baudatui Interactive Mouse Toy is a great way to play with your kitty but is entertaining enough for her to play by herself.
If your cat loves to make noise, then she will love biting this toy over and over to make it squeak.
Every time she bites it, the texture of the fabric will help to remove plaque and tartar from her teeth and massage her gums for a healthier mouth.
Some cat parents didn’t like the size of this toy.
They felt that it was too small and were afraid that their cat would eat it.
More destructive kitties were able to pull it apart and remove the squeaker or break the squeaker without removing it.
If your kitty is the more destructive type, this toy might not hold up.
And as with any toy, some kitties didn’t like it and really had to be encouraged to play with it.
There is no catnip involved in this one, so rubbing some on the outside may increase interest.
For a simple, fun, squeaky toy the Baodatui Interactive Mouse Toy would be a great choice.
This toy can also curb bad chewing and aim it in a more constructive direction.
Chewing on this toy not only makes a squeak that your kitty might enjoy, it also promotes tartar and plaque removal from your cat’s teeth.
Your cat will enjoy the many ways that she can play with it and you might enjoy the fact that it is environmentally friendly.
5. Petstages Nighttime Catnip Rolls
Another great multipurpose toy is the Petstages Nighttime Catnip Rolls.
These toys are made from soft, quiet material so you won’t be woken up to the crinkling and crunching of other cat toys.
The roll shape of these toys is also designed to encourage biting and chewing but can also be batted or carried around.
Let’s not forget that this is a catnip toy as well to further entice your cat’s chewing behavior.
Petstages Nighttime Catnip Rolls are one of the best chew toys for cats because the shape is specifically designed to be easier to bite and chew.
The durable, stiff fabric cover is made to withstand aggressive biting to keep this toy intact.
The stiff fabric also acts as a plaque and tartar remover when your cat chews it.
The design of this toy is a tube with ends that are glued together.
Some consumers have noted that the glued ends can be quite sharp and actually cut kitty’s gums if they’re aggressively playing with them.
It may be worth while to try to clip some of that hard glue off before giving these toys to your kitty.
Also, some cats just weren’t interested in these toys.
Some kitties don’t like catnip and some might not be attracted to the shape or feel of the fabric.
The Petstages Nighttime Catnip Rolls are a great alternative to noisy cat toys for your cats at night.
The stiff, durable fabric will help withstand tearing while cleaning your cat’s teeth and the catnip will help get them excited about playing with this toy.
You may need to do a little work on the ends of this toy prior to giving it to your cat to help alleviate some of the roughness.
Conclusion:
As with any cat toy, it’s best to have several styles and varieties on hand so that your cat doesn’t become bored with the same old.
If you switch out his chew toys every couple of days he is more likely to keep using with them than if you leave the same two or three out all the time.
When you first present him with the toy it might not be enough to simply toss it out and leave, you may have to show him how to use it.
Toss it around for him a couple of times or start a game of tug-a-war, whatever will spark his interest in his new chew toy.
The best cat chew toys are usually those that can multitask, something that you cat can play with in different ways.
Above all, your cat’s chew toys need to be safe.
Safe means that it’s made from non-toxic materials and that your cat can’t shred it into small pieces that can be eaten.
Pay close attention to the materials that any chew toy is made of and consider how well your cat can destroy it.
