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Desperate to relieve their discomfort, teething kittens often develop a habit of chewing on everything they can sink their teeth into. The act itself can be soothing for a stressed kitten—plus it delivers a gentle massage to sore gums.
The right kitten teething toys offer much-needed relief and act as a safe redirection for destructive gnawing. Plus, the mental stimulation of play combined with the satisfied natural urge to chew will help keep your developing kitten’s mind sharp.
We spoke to Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, about the benefits of cat chew toys for teething kittens and what the best teething toys have in common. With this expert insight, we’ve rounded up the best products to help you keep your tiny tiger out of trouble.
- Best for Kittens Under 2 Months: Catstages Night Time Catnip Rolls
- Best for Kittens 3 to 4 Months: Petstages Catnip Chew Mice
- Best for Kittens Over 5 Months: Cat Stages Dental Cat Chew Toy
- Best for Engagement: KONG Pull-A-Partz Yarnz Cat Toy
- Best for Dental Health: Petstages Plaque Away Pretzel Cat Toy
- Best for Food-Motivated Kittens: SunGrow Interactive Chew Ball Treat Dispenser
- Best for Aggressive Chewers: Potaroma Natural Silvervine Stick Cage Balls
- Best Plush Toy: KONG Refillable Beaver Catnip Cat Toy
- Best Frozen Teething Toy: LickiMat Felix Cat Lick Mat
Best for Kittens Under 2 Months: Catstages Night Time Catnip Teething Toys
By the time a kitten reaches 8 weeks old, most of their baby teeth will have grown in. Until then, it’s wise to avoid hard toys that might damage the teeth and gums. Dr. Kong recommends “soft toys made from materials that can withstand your kitten’s chewing while providing a soothing effect on their irritated gums.”
These Catstages catnip rolls are made from woven nylon, so they’re tough enough to tolerate chewing. As your kitten chews, their tiny teeth will slip through the woven material instead of impacting a hard surface. Gnawing the rope provides a massaging effect on the gums and releases the catnip inside for an additional soothing effect.
Dr. Kong notes that rope toys like these are not only a fun choice for kittens, but they help clean their teeth as they chew.
Key Takeaways:
- Woven nylon materials withstand chewing
- No hard surface to damage baby teeth
- Infused with premium dried catnip
- Measures about 3 ½ to 4 inches long
Best for Kittens 3 to 4 Months: Petstages Catnip Chew Mice
Kittens grow quickly, and by the time they’re three to four months old, they’ll be hard to keep up with. At this stage, kitten teething toys that encourage your cat to play will help work off some of that excess energy. These catnip-filled mice are a great choice.
Perfectly sized toys for batting around, these little mice feature multiple textures to stimulate your cat’s senses. When they’re not focused on the floppy ears or long tail, your kitten will be cleaning their teeth as they gnaw on the mesh covering the bodies of these mice.
Dental chews like these can benefit your kitten’s oral health at any age, but they’re particularly beneficial during teething. As Dr. Kong notes, “The pliability of these toys can offer your kitten some relief, as the pressure from chewing helps to alleviate the pain associated with teething.”
Key Takeaways:
- Perfect size for batting and play
- Filled with catnip to entice your kitten
- Multiple fabric textures
- Mesh material helps remove plaque and tartar
Best for Kittens Over 5 Months: Cat Stages Dental Kitten Chew Toy
As your kitten grows, they’ll appreciate having a selection of size-appropriate toys to choose from. This set of kitten chew toys is large enough for your kitten to grasp while they chew without being too big to bat around.
Like the previous pick, these toys feature multiple fabric textures to stimulate your cat’s senses. The folded design enables your cat to hook a paw through the middle to maintain a firm grasp. Plus, they’re stuffed with catnip to capture your kitten’s attention.
Key Takeaways:
- Ideal for batting and chewing
- Multiple textures to stimulate the senses
- Filled with dried catnip
- Loop design enables your cat to get a firm grasp
Best for Engagement: KONG Pull-A-Partz Yarnz Cat Toy
Many cats find it hard to resist a string—that’s what makes cat wands and string or ribbon toys so popular. This KONG Pull-A-Part Yarnz toy plays on the feline urge to chase down a string, but it’s also a good choice for teething kittens.
The toy’s tangled design keeps your cat engaged, while the soft materials offer a safe chewing surface that won’t damage your kitten’s teeth. The pull-apart feature activates your cat’s hunting instincts, but the plush material is cozy enough if your kitten simply wants to cuddle.
Note that it’s not a good idea to give your kitten real string or yarn to play with—that risks a digestive blockage.
Key Takeaways:
- Tangled design keeps your cat engaged
- Soft materials are gentle on kitten teeth
- Lightweight enough for batting around
- Activates your cat’s hunting instincts
Best for Dental Health: Petstages Plaque Away Pretzel Kitten Teething Toy
It’s never too early to develop strong oral hygiene habits like brushing your cat’s teeth or feeding them dental treats. But don’t forget to consider dental health when selecting kitten teething toys. As Dr. Kong reminds us, dental toys for cats come in various shapes and sizes, including kitten-friendly options.
This pretzel-shaped dental toy is a great option for kittens of varying ages. It’s lightweight and small enough to bat around, and small kittens will be able to hook a paw through the loops. The mesh material helps clean your kitten’s teeth as they chew, while the dried catnip filling keeps them engaged.
Key Takeaways:
- Lightweight enough for batting
- Mesh materials help clean teeth during chewing
- Filled with dried catnip
Best for Food-Motivated Kittens: SunGrow Interactive Chew Ball Treat Dispenser
Some kittens don’t outgrow their chewing habits even after they’ve finished teething. For these kittens, Dr. Kong suggests that puzzle toys—especially ones that offer a good chewing experience. Cats that are particularly food-motivated may appreciate a treat-dispensing toy like this chew ball.
Non-toxic rubber materials make this ball toy a durable choice, even for tough chewers. Though your cat won’t be able to fit the whole ball in their mouth, the sides have ridged grooves to hold food, which also gives your cat something to hook their teeth on. Stuff the ball with kibble, cat treats, or a soft treat like Churu.
Key Takeaways:
- Dispenses treats to keep cat engaged
- Made from durable non-toxic rubber
- Fill with kibble, treats, or soft treats
- Tough enough to withstand chewing
Best for Aggressive Chewers: Potaroma Natural Silvervine Stick Cage Balls
Aggressive chewers can make quick work of even the most durable cat toys, so choose your kitten’s toys carefully if they have a gnawing habit. Dr. Kong reminds cat owners to “avoid toys with small, detachable parts that could pose a choking hazard or toys made of materials that are easy to tear apart and swallow.”
From the brand that brought you Amazon’s iconic electronic flopping fish toy comes a chew toy built tough for tough chewers. These ball toys are constructed from silvervine sticks, which are safe for your cat to chew and consume. Even if your cat doesn’t respond to catnip toys, they may find silvervine appealing.
Key Takeaways:
- Appropriate for strong chewers
- Made from 100% organic silvervine sticks
- Safe for chewing and ingesting
- Perfect for batting and carrying around
Best Plush Toy: KONG Refillable Beaver Catnip Cat Toy
Some kittens chew simply because it’s soothing. If cleaning your kitten’s teeth isn’t your primary concern, a plush toy might fit the bill. According to Dr. Kong, plush toys can be a comforting option for kittens to gnaw on—or just cuddle up with.
This KONG refillable plush toy is shaped like a beaver, complete with its long tail. The soft materials are perfect for cats who like to cuddle and, because it doesn’t contain stuffing, it’s safe for chewing. For added interest, however, the toy features a pocket you can fill with dried catnip, silvervine, or even treats.
Key Takeaways:
- Soft materials are gentle on teeth
- Perfect for cats who like to cuddle
- Refillable with dried catnip
Best Frozen Teething Toy: LickiMat Felix Cat Lick Mat
Many kittens chew to alleviate the pain of teething but, for some, the soothing action of licking helps. Cat lick mats are covered in ridges and nubs that deliver a calming effect as your cat licks. Lick mats can be used with a variety of foods and treats, though teething kittens may appreciate a soft treat that has been frozen in the mat.
The LickiMat is available in various shapes and sizes, but the Felix fish design is perfect for cats. It comes in three colors—green, blue, and orange—and is covered in multiple textures. Simply spread your cat’s favorite soft treat or wet food over the mat and serve, or pop it in the fridge or freezer first to chill.
Key Takeaways:
- Licking can be soothing for cats
- Spread with soft treats
- Freeze for an added pain-relieving effect
- Multiple textures
How We Chose
We selected the products featured here based on a combination of our own hands-on testing, customer reviews across a wide variety of retail platforms, and interviews with veterinary experts, including Dr. Sabrina Kong, DVM, of WeLoveDoodles. We’re also guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated cats, who are never stingy with their feedback.
When making our selections, we prioritized kitten teething toys that are durable enough to withstand chewing but still soft and pliable to protect your kitten’s teeth and gums. We chose toys in an array of sizes, shapes, materials, and textures to appeal to different preferences.
