Do Cats Need Chew Toys? Kittens, Teething and Safe Picks

Do adult cats need chew toys?

Cats evolved to catch and shear prey rather than gnaw for long periods, so most adult cats show little interest in chew toys. A cat that has wand play, toys to bat and pounce on, scratching posts and a good diet is not missing anything without them.

Some adults do chew, though. Cornell Feline Health Center describes fabric chewing and sucking, which is more common in Siamese and Burmese cats, and houseplant chewing in indoor cats with little access to greens. For these cats, a safe chew outlet is useful.

Do kittens need teething toys?

Yes, they help. VCA explains that kittens swap 26 baby teeth for 30 adult teeth: incisors from about 3 months, canines around 5 months and premolars and molars between 4 and 7 months. During this time kittens often bite hands more, wear down their toys and may leave a little red staining on a chew toy, which VCA says is usually normal.

VCA recommends plenty of appropriate chew items, soft mouse-like toys, toys with some give that you can dent with a fingernail, and frozen toys or treats to soothe sore gums. It also notes chewing may continue for months after the adult teeth arrive.

What makes a safe chew toy for a cat

Look for soft rubber or silicone chew toys made for cats, dental chew toys with nubs, fabric toys with tightly sewn seams, and catnip-filled kickers. Cornell suggests cat-safe rubber toys scented with fish oil for fabric chewers. Size matters: a toy should be too large to swallow but small enough to hold.

VCA advises avoiding extremely hard toys such as nylon, which can fracture teeth, and throwing away anything breaking apart or missing pieces. Cornell warns against toys with small parts or string-like strands that can be swallowed.

Redirecting chewing away from hands and cords

When a kitten mouths your hands, stop moving, then offer a chew toy or kick toy and praise it for using that instead. VCA notes that chewing hands or feet should never be encouraged, and that it is better to redirect than to try to stop all chewing.

Cords are the real danger. VCA warns that cats can bite through cord insulation, causing burns to the mouth or electrical shock that can damage the lungs or heart. Hide cords behind furniture, use cord covers and unplug chargers when not in use.

Plants, fabric and other chewing

For plant chewers, Cornell suggests offering cat grass, oat grass or catnip and keeping toxic plants out of reach entirely. Lilies are extremely dangerous to cats, and many common houseplants are toxic, so check any plant with your vet or the ASPCA's plant list.

For fabric chewers, Cornell recommends putting valuable and risky items away, adding enrichment such as food puzzles and play, and offering safe alternatives. Swallowed fabric can cause life-threatening blockages, and a vet can help if the habit is severe.

When to call your vet

Call your vet if your cat has swallowed part of a toy, string or fabric, or bitten a cord, or if it vomits repeatedly, stops eating or strains to pass stool. If you see string coming from its mouth or rear, do not pull it.

Also see your vet if a kitten still has baby teeth alongside adult ones after about 7 months, if your cat drools, paws at its mouth, has bad breath or chews on one side. A sudden new chewing habit in an adult cat can reflect dental pain or other medical problems.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.