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Cats may not have the powerful chompers that dogs do, but don’t be fooled—tiny teeth can still do a lot of damage. Whether your cat is chewing out of boredom, anxiety, or to relieve the pain of teething, offering an assortment of cat chew toys can help.
Not only can a good chew toy redirect your cat’s destructive chewing toward a more appropriate outlet, but it may provide dental benefits as well. For some cats, the simple act of chewing helps soothe anxiety, relieves stress, and provides mental stimulation.
We spoke to Dr. Nicole Savageau, VMD, about what to look for in chew toys for cats and what benefits they provide. With Dr. Savageau’s expert insight in mind, we’ve rounded up the best cat chew toys on the market for chew-happy cats.
- Best for Kittens: Catstages Night Time Catnip Teething Toys
- Best for Active Cats: Petstages Catnip Chew Mice Cat Toys
- Best for Aggressive Chewers: Meowijuana King Sized Silvervine Cat Sticks
- Best for Senior Cats: Petstages Dental Banana Cat Chew Toy
- Best for Enrichment: Petlinks Rowdy Roller Dental Chew Ball Toy
- Best for Dental Health: Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick Cat Chew Toy
- Best for Cats Who Chew on Plastic: Petstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker Cat Toy
- Best Rubber Chew Toy: Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel Catnip Toy
- Best Frozen Chew Toy: Nylabone Chill ‘n Chew Puppy Teething Toy
- Best Edible Toy: Catit Senses 2.0 Grass Planter
Remember to keep a close eye on your cat during play; supervision is especially critical with chew toys, since every cat’s play style (and destructive power) is different.
Best for Kittens: Catstages Night Time Catnip Teething Toys
Teething is a painful process for kittens, but chewing on toys can help ease the discomfort. Dr. Savageau recommends soft toys for teething kittens because they provide a satisfying chew without being too hard on a little cat’s teeth. She also recommends toys with ridges or nubs that help massage the kitten’s gums to provide a soothing effect.
These Catstages catnip rolls are made from nylon with a loose enough weave to allow little teeth to slip through instead of scraping against a hard surface. Gnawing the rope massages sensitive gums and offers a degree of dental cleaning as well.
Note that kittens under six months may not be sensitive to the included catnip—but that’s likely to change as they grow.
Key Takeaways:
- Gentle nylon stands up to sharp teeth without hurting them
- Each roll about 3 ½ to 4 inches long
- Infused with premium dried catnip
Best for Active Cats: Petstages Catnip Chew Mice Cat Toys
Small toys that mimic the appearance of prey bring out your cat’s natural hunting instincts. These mouse-shaped cat toys are perfectly sized for batting and chasing around, but they provide dental benefits as well. Plus, the catnip filling helps capture a cat’s attention.
These fabric mice have multiple textures to entice your cat to chew, including mesh that helps remove plaque and tartar from your cat’s teeth. Cats who like to gnaw will enjoy the floppy ears and long tails.
Key Takeaways:
- Filled with dried catnip
- Multiple textures for dental benefits
- Mouse-like size and shape ideal for batting
Best for Aggressive Chewers: Meowijuana King Sized Silvervine Cat Sticks
For cats who chew aggressively, Dr. Savageau recommends choosing toys that are designed specifically for heavy chewers. Meowijuana silvervine sticks are much more durable than the average chew toy and, with six sticks per pack, they can last a while.
Silvervine is a species of kiwifruit, and it’s been known to produce a euphoric effect on cats. It’s a popular alternative for cats who don’t respond to the usual catnip toys.
Key Takeaways:
- Alternative to traditional catnip
- Tough enough to withstand heavy chewing
- Come with 6 sticks per pack
Best for Senior Cats: Petstages Dental Banana Cat Chew Toy
Though your cat may slow down as they age, play remains an essential form of exercise and enrichment. Soft plush toys like this banana toy are ideal for older cats, whose play style may favor grabbing and bunny-kicking over running and pouncing.
The toy’s multi-textured design is especially good for chewers. Mesh material gently cleans the soft plaque and tartar off your cat’s teeth as they chew while also providing sensory stimulation.
Key Takeaways:
- Plush toy safe for older cats
- Multiple textures to encourage chewing
- Helps clean your cat’s teeth
Best for Enrichment: Petlinks Rowdy Roller Dental Chew Ball Toy
Any toy can provide enrichment for your cat, but Dr. Savageau suggests chew toys can help keep cats mentally stimulated by providing them with a healthy outlet for their natural urge to chew. This Rowdy Roller ball toy does that while encouraging active play.
The ball itself is made from rubberized material with ridges that massage your cat’s gums as they chew. The material also gives the ball a bouncy quality, making it perfect for batting and chasing around the house. Feathers and ribbons add to the toy’s appeal.
Key Takeaways:
- Perfect for batting and chasing
- Rubberized material massages your cat’s gums
- Feathers and ribbons add appeal
Best for Dental Health: Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick Cat Chew Toy
Like many of the other toys on this list, the Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick is designed to support your cat’s dental health. It’s covered in a soft mesh material that gently removes plaque and tartar as your cat chews. According to Dr. Savageau, removing this buildup is essential for protecting your cat’s long-term oral hygiene.
It’s not just the material that makes this toy perfect for chewing. The elongated shape makes it easy for your cat to grasp, but it’s small enough to bat around as well. Dried mint mixed with the stuffing helps freshen your cat’s breath.
Key Takeaways:
- Gently removes plaque and tartar buildup
- Stuffed with mint to freshen breath
- Perfect for grabbing, batting, and chewing
Best for Cats Who Chew on Plastic: Petstages Crunchy Pickle Kicker Cat Toy
Some cats that chew on plastic seem to enjoy the sound it makes. This pickle-shaped cat toy is perfect for plastic chewers because it’s filled with a crunchy material that crinkles during play. It doesn’t hurt that it’s also stuffed with catnip.
Not only does this toy make enticing crinkle noises, but it’s the ideal size and shape for bunny-kicking. One side of the plush toy is soft and fuzzy, while the other is covered in that soft mesh material common to dental toys. It gently scrapes soft plaque and tartar off your cat’s teeth as they chew.
Key Takeaways:
- Makes an enticing crinkle sound
- Filled with dried catnip
- Mesh materials help clean your cat’s teeth
- Perfect size and shape for bunny-kicking
Best Rubber Chew Toy: Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel Catnip Toy
Dr. Savageau suggests chew toys made from tough rubber may be a safer alternative for cats that like to chew plastic. The material is durable and less likely to break into small pieces your cat might swallow.
This Dental Kitty Chew Wheel from Petstages is specifically designed to redirect destructive chewing behavior. Rubberized material ensures durability, while the ring shape makes it easy for your cat to grab and kick. The toy is infused with catnip oil and has several strings to appeal to your cat’s senses.
Key Takeaways:
- Rubber material is safe and durable
- Infused with catnip oil
- Massages the gums and gently cleans teeth
Best Frozen Chew Toy: Nylabone Chill ‘n Chew Puppy Teething Toy
Whether you’re looking to protect your cat against heatstroke on a hot day or looking for something to soothe teething pain, a frozen chew toy might do the trick.
Though technically designed for dogs, cats can also enjoy this freezable chew toy. The top of the toy features ridges and nubs to massage the gums as your cat chews. For an even gentler chew, there’s a fabric element as well. Simply soak the entire toy and freeze.
Key Takeaways:
- Soak the entire toy and freeze
- Ridges and nubs to soothe the gums
- Multiple textures to entice your cat
Best Edible Toy: Catit Senses 2.0 Grass Planter
Though not a typical toy, the Catit Senses 2.0 Grass Planter may be an appropriate choice for cats with pica. Pica, Dr. Savageau says, is a condition characterized by the consumption of non-food items such as fabric, plastic, or paper. If your cat has a habit of ingesting non-food items, cat grass might satisfy their urge to chew and swallow. It’s also handy for offering an alternative to your house plants.
The Catit Senses planter features a wide, stable base with a nonslip mat. Drainage holes in the bottom prevent overwatering while a mesh-like top keeps your cat from digging in the dirt. It comes with vermiculite instead of soil and includes a packet of seeds. Just add water and watch the grass start to grow!
Key Takeaways:
- Cat grass is safe for cats to consume
- Wide, stable base is hard to knock over
- Comes with seeds and soil
How We Chose
We selected the cat chew toys 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. Nicole Savageau, VMD, of The Vets.
When making our selections, we prioritized cat chew toys made from cat-friendly materials. We chose toys for a variety of different use cases to cover cats of all ages and chewing styles. We’re guided by the experience of living and playing alongside our own much-loved and strongly opinionated cats, who are never stingy with their feedback.