The 5 Best Cat Chew Toys in 2024: Buyer’s Guide and Reviews

The pet market offers a wide variety of toys for cats. Though most of these toys appear to be designed solely for recreation, many provide more important functions than the others.

The best cat chew toys work not only to entertain our feline friends but also to help make their gums and teeth clean and healthy.

Cats chew things they shouldn't nibble for many reasons. Nonetheless, the bottom line is this: in cats, chewing is a natural behavior.

Is your cat one of those who love to chew? I understand how it can get frustrating on so many levels. When a cat’s chewing habit gets out of hand, it could result in many visits to the vet.

It could also cause replacements or repairs of household items, furniture, and electrical cords, among others.

That is when chew toys play an essential role. They make an excellent, safe, and healthy alternative to any tempting item they see in your house.

We have reviewed lots of toys for our feline friends, and the best ones for chewing are summarized in this article, including teething toys, catnip toys, and other chew toys.

Our Top Picks: 5 Best Cat Chew Toys

1. DuckyWorld Yeowww! Banana Catnip Toy
2. Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel
3. WoLover Natural Silvervine Sticks for Cats
4. Kitty Kick Stix Catnip Kicker Toys
5. SmartyKat Skitter Critters Catnip Cat Toys

1. DuckyWorld Yeowww! Banana Catnip Toy

One chew toy that a cat likes to play with is the DuckyWorld’s Yeowww! Banana Catnip Toy. It is made in the USA and 100% filled with organic catnip.

Though not all felines react to catnip, many cats and kittens enjoy the scent of this attractant when playing with their toys. The catnip feature of this banana cat chew toy helps promote clean teeth and good dental health, in general.

Besides, this fun chew toy flaunts bright colors and different textures that your pet may find too hard to resist. The banana design measures 7 inches, which is just perfect for chewing, grabbing, nudging, and kicking.

One disadvantage, however, is that this cat chew toy could rip open easily, especially when your cat likes to play rough. But fret not! Don't throw it away and sew it shut instead, and it's still as good as new.

Washing can also be a dilemma since it may reduce the effect of catnip. Though Yeowww! offers loose bags of “toy-grade” catnip that you can use to fill your cat's toys.

One more feature that we like about this cat chew toy from Yeowww! is safety. The manufacturer ensures that this toy, especially when chewed often by our feline friends, is 100% safe and pet-friendly. It is free of strings, wires, and plastic eyes that could result in more harm than fun.

Key Features and Advantages

• The Yeowww! cat chew toys offer fun and attractive designs.
• This chew toy features 100% organically grown catnip inside that most cats like.
• It is safe and free of strings and other potentially harmful materials.
• It is made in the USA.
• The Banana Catnip Toys from Yeowww! is a winner of the Pet Age 2018 Reader's Choice Award.

2. Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel

A brand known for its wide variety of toy options for both cats and dogs is Petstages by Outward Hound. Although it offers lots of chew toys for cats, one that stands out among the others is the Petstages Dental Kitty Chew Wheel.

Cats who like to chew would enjoy the Kitty Chew Wheel from Petstages. We love how it features a durable and textured ring that helps exercise a cat's jaw muscles and massage the gums. The spokes around the ring, on the other hand, help clean your cat's teeth.

This best-seller dental chew toy gained lots of positive reviews from many cat owners. Because of its design, many cats appreciate this toy not just for chewing but also for playing. Your kitty may not be too keen on chewing on it, but like the others, throwing it around and chasing after it would surely be fun!

But still, you have to be cautious when your cat plays with this toy. Tearing or ripping is possible, so it's best to inspect for product damage once in a while. Keep in mind that damaged parts may cause injury in pets.

Key Features and Advantages

• This chew toy helps clean a cat’s teeth.
• The central ring features “spokes,” which help strengthen your kitty's jaw muscles.
• The design adds entertaining fabric streamers.
• It is made of safe and non-toxic materials.
• The product measures 5” L x 2” W.

3. WoLover Natural Silvervine Sticks for Cats

The WoLover Natural Silvervine Sticks for Cat will not disappoint if you are looking for a 100% natural product that your cat could chew on. Out of the many available catnip and silvervine sticks toys on the market, we think that this one from the trusted brand WoLover would benefit your cat more.

Not all cats have a soft spot for catnip or silver vine sticks. If your feline friend is one of those attracted to the smell of this attractant plant, it would perhaps enjoy this 100% natural and unprocessed Matatabi silver vine sticks. They are organic, safe, and healthy for pets.

Matatabi or silver vine sticks are a popular cat treat, particularly in Asia. The silver vine sticks get rid of dental plaque, teeth tartar, and foul-smelling breath in cats. Hence, chewing a silvervine stick will not only entertain your pet but also help your cat’s oral health. It also improves its digestion by promoting intestinal peristalsis when chewing.

Before giving a stick to your cat, simply peel off the bark using a sharp knife to release its natural flavor. Adult cats can use it or two to three times a week, with one stick each time. Cut another layer again after some time to reuse the stick.

Chewing this toy would result in fun behaviors, such as rolling, rubbing of chin and cheeks, drooling, and licking. The best results would typically last between 5 to 30 minutes.

Key Features and Advantages

• The WoLover Natural Silvervine Sticks for Cats are available in bundles of 12 pcs or 25 pcs.
• This toy is 100% natural and safe.
• It has a high potency. The majority of cats love this product.
• The Natural Silvervine Sticks help keep the cat’s teeth clean.
• It aids in better digestion and overall oral health.

4. Kitty Kick Stix Catnip Kicker Toy

The 11″ catnip Kitty Kicker Toy is an excellent cat toy for big and adult cats. Because it measures 11 inches in length, this chew toy may not be suitable for tiny kittens, but medium to large cats will have fun playing with it.

These interactive cat toys feature catnip inside, with refillable catnip pocket sewn on its side so you can add fresh catnip to it when the catnip scent wears off!

The pocket is used to extend the use of the kitty kicker, just add a few pinches of catnip in the pocket and its ready to go again. 

Do your cats like to chew, kick, and roll around? The 11-inch stick provides a fun time for cats. Cats may not only chew on it but also kick it or roll around with it.

Because of its length, it makes an excellent interactive toy that both pet owners and cats could use to bond. Use it to tickle your cat's belly or just to play with your feline friend when spending time together.

Key Features and Advantages

• This Catnip Kitty Kicker Toy  features a strong catnip scent that attracts cats.
• It flaunts a wide variety of attractive and fun printed designs.
• This handmade cat toy is soft, durable, and high quality.
• It offers great value for money.

5. SmartyKat Skitter Critters Catnip Cat Toys

The SmartyKat Skitter Critters Catnip Cat Toys is one of the best chew toys for cats for many reasons. Perhaps one of these reasons is quite too obvious. Out of the plenty of toys available for our feline babies, SmartyKat is clever enough to combine two things that our dear cats love the most – catnip and mice!

We love how the Skitter Critters from SmartyKat features an adorable mice design that’s infused with pure and potent catnip to grab your cats’ attention. Hence, making it the perfect cat toy for catnip-loving cats and multi-cat households.

Each pack of this toy comes with three small mice-like pieces that your cats would have fun chewing with their teeth and carrying around. It is also an excellent alternative to fur toys if you’re tired of cat toys getting torn up to pieces and leaving piles of mess around the house.

Worry not about the safety of both your cats and kids since these cat teething toys are perfectly safe to use. Note, however, that although very unlikely to happen, it is still possible for big cats to swallow these toys and choke on them.

Thus, it's best to keep an eye on your pets when they are playing with these toys.

Key Features and Advantages

• Each pack of the SmartyKat Skitter Critters contains three (3) 4-inch long mice that are packed with potent catnip.
• The toy is fiberfill made from 100% recycled plastic.
• It is ideal for catnip-loving cats and multi-cat households.
• The size of each chew toy is perfect for cats’ chewing, batting, and playing.
• Since this cat toy is filled with catnip inside, playing with it may result in fun and energetic activities for many cats.
• These chew toys are lightweight.
• It is reasonably priced.

A Buyer’s Guide to Cat Chew Toys

Cat chew toys are one of today’s best and popular pet products on the market. Well, it’s hard to blame anyone fond of them. These toys are fun and surprisingly beneficial to cats. A teething and chewing toy that helps clean a cat’s teeth, strengthen its teeth and gums, and promotes excellent oral health? Who wouldn’t want that?

But to get the best one out of many available out there? That could be more difficult than expected. You have to get a chewing and teething toy that your cat will like and use, but you also have to be sure that it will give the benefits you want for your cat.

Buying the right kind of chew toys for your pet cat to play with can make a big difference between keeping your household items and furniture undamaged and having them destroyed by your cat's chewing habits. Good thing, we've come up with a comprehensive buyer's guide that you can use to find what could be the best cat chew toys for your feline friend.

When to Buy Chew Toys for Cats

A cat chews on many things, from treats and food to anything. Most kittens, when teething, can be excessive chewers. Adult cats, too, aren't excused. While they have different personalities, some of them like to chew on almost everything.

Yes, these things are normal but can also be dangerous, especially when a cat or kitten starts chewing on random things like electrical cords, wires, poisonous houseplants, fabric, plastic bags, and other materials.

When your cat starts to show any kind of destructive chewing behavior, then it's the best time to invest in a cat chew toy. Buying one will provide a safer and healthier environment for your pet. Hence, select a chew toy that would fit your cat's needs and personality.

Features to Consider When Buying Chew Toys

Catnip Feature

Most cat chew toys incorporate catnip for simple reasons. Not only does catnip get the attention of our feline friends, but it also provides beneficial effects in a cat's sharp teeth and overall dental health.

However, note that not all cats react well to catnip. If your cat answers well to catnip, then a catnip-infused chew toy would be a good idea. Otherwise, opt for a chew toy without catnip.

Safety

We love our cats, and their safety is our top priority. Because of this, safety should be one of the most crucial features to look into when buying the best chew toys.

Chew toys give them the fun they deserve (not to mention healthier teeth and good dental hygiene!), but we should still be mindful of their safety while playing with their toy.

Although these toys are manufactured with our pet's safety in mind, it would always be best to examine them and watch out for materials or small parts that may potentially harm your pet cat.

Observe if there are sharp edges as they may harm a cat's mouth. Loose threads and small parts, on the other hand, could be swallowed.

Durability

If you get the right chew toy, your cat will most likely play with it a lot. The chew toy will endure lots of chewing and biting from your cat's teeth, as well as throwing and whipping from your furry pet.

Hence, one significant factor that you must look at before buying one is durability. Will it last long despite extensive chewing or rough playing? Is it high quality and made with durable materials? Is it the best in terms of durability?

If your feline friend likes to play rough, then it's just a waste of money to get a toy, especially expensive ones, that could break apart or tear up easily.

Keeping this in mind, select a chew toy that can withstand your cat's playing and chewing habit. You can expect a cat toy with double stitching as more durable than usual.

Design and Materials

When buying chew toys for your pets, you must also consider the design and materials of the products. Does your cat pick chew toys that make a sound? Is your cat picky about a toy's texture? These are some noteworthy features that you should take into consideration.

Price

Like any other pet product out there, chew toys for our dear feline friends vary in pricing. Most are easy on the pocket while others are priced relatively higher than the average, though they are usually worth every penny.

Price plays an important role when buying chew toys that your cats need. When introducing a new chew toy and you're still unsure whether your cat will like it or not, then a practical move is to opt for a cheaper one.

By doing such, you could save yourself from splurging on chew toys that could end up unnoticed by your pet.

Size and Weight

Many cat owners tend to overlook these factors when selecting the best chew toy for their cat. Sometimes, the design and other features become too overwhelming that a toy’s size and weight are often disregarded. But, mind you, both of these features are as important as the others.

When you pick a cat chew toy that is too big or too heavy for your cat or kittens, it could cause more harm than good to your pets.

When too big or bulky for their size and age, a cat chew toy could be a burden for your pet to pull or carry around. It could also cause damages to their oral health, particularly teeth fracture.

Advantages of Cat Chew Toys

Chew toys for cats may not be the best type of cat toy for everyone. As mentioned above, they are designed for our feline friends who love to chew, and it's not a one-size-fits-all type of product.

Some of our feline friends can be fond of a particular chew toy that others dislike. Regardless, most pet parents agree that chew toys have lots of advantages. Here are some of them.

A chew toy provides entertainment.

This type of toy may be designed for chewing and biting, but that does not mean that it shouldn't be fun! We know that kitties can get bored, just like humans. And chew toys are only one of many ways to help them cope up with boredom.

These toys typically present fun features and designs, which help playing and chewing more fun and entertaining for your cat.

Cat chew toys help alleviate stress and anxiety in cats.

Like us, our feline friends can be prone to stress. They need a form of relaxation once in a while. When stressed, they may exhibit odd behaviors, such as spraying, scratching, or litter box problems. It is when a cat chew toy can be of advantage.

When our loveable furballs are occupied and entertained, they become less stressed or anxious. In addition, some of these knick-knacks feature catnip, which not only attracts their attention but also make them feel more relaxed.

They increase bonding between a cat and its owners.

Playing with your cat is fun and beneficial for both of you. Since some of these products are interactive, they help pet owners bond more with their pet cat – even if theirs is not a “lap cat.”

They clean teeth and provide excellent oral hygiene.

You know that you got the best chewing toy if it not only helps keep your pet busy and occupied, but also helps promote healthy gums, teeth, and overall oral hygiene.

For obvious reasons, our feline friends can’t brush their teeth. But here’s some good news! Most of these chewing products are designed to deal with such concerns.

A chew toy helps clean a cat’s teeth by acting like a toothbrush once chewed on. Another benefit of a chew toy is that it gives a cat fresher breath.

Cat chew toys relieve teething pain.

For kittens, teething is normal. However, it can be excruciating and uncomfortable for them. When your kitten is in pain or discomfort from teething, a chew toy will help ease away the pain from your cat's gums and growing teeth.