The Complete Buying Guide to
Cat Chew Toys
& Kitten Teething

Chewing isn't destructive behaviour — it's ancient instinct. Understanding why cats chew is the first step to redirecting it well.

In the wild, cats spend hours each day hunting, killing, and consuming prey. That process involves an enormous amount of biting, gnawing, and tearing — behaviours that modern indoor life never fully satisfies. The result? Your cat chews the corner of your laptop charger, your favourite book, or the strap of your bag.

Chewing serves several distinct purposes depending on your cat's age and situation:

• 🦷Dental relief: Kittens chew to soothe teething pain. Adult cats chew to maintain gum stimulation and reduce plaque.
• 🧠Mental stimulation: Indoor cats especially need sensory engagement. Chewing engages smell, taste, and touch simultaneously.
• 😰Stress and anxiety: The repetitive motion of chewing is physiologically calming — it releases endorphins and lowers cortisol.
• 🎯Prey drive: Chewing mimics the kill and consume phase of hunting, which cats never fully suppress regardless of domestication.
• 🌱Exploration: Cats, like human infants, use their mouths to understand texture, taste, and material in their environment.

Kittens go through two teething phases before their first birthday. Knowing what to expect at each stage makes all the difference.

Most new kitten owners are surprised to discover that teething is just as real and just as uncomfortable for cats as it is for human babies. Your kitten's urge to chew everything in sight isn't a personality flaw — it's a developmental milestone, and with the right toys, it's entirely manageable.

The Two Teething Phases

Signs Your Kitten is Teething

• 🔍Chewing on hard objects like furniture corners or metal
• 🔍Drooling more than usual (perfectly normal)
• 🔍Pawing at their mouth or shaking their head
• 🔍Finding small teeth around the house (they swallow most, don't worry)
• 🔍Reduced appetite due to gum tenderness
• 🔍Increased irritability or sensitivity around the mouth

Not all chew toys are made equal — and not all cats chew the same way. Here's how to match the toy to the cat.

Rubber & Silicone Toys

The gold standard for most cats. Food-grade silicone and natural rubber toys are flexible enough to be safe, dense enough to satisfy a strong chewer, and easy to clean. Look for toys with ridges or nubs — these provide extra dental stimulation and remove plaque during chewing. Avoid hard plastic that can crack into sharp shards.

Plush & Fabric Toys

Perfect for kittens and gentle adult chewers. The soft give mimics fur and flesh, triggering the prey-bite reflex. Catnip-stuffed plush toys double as scent enrichment. The caveat: always check seams and remove any loose stuffing or buttons that could be swallowed.

Catnip-Infused Toys

Catnip (Nepeta cataria) triggers a temporary euphoric response in roughly 50–70% of cats — it's entirely genetic. For cats that respond, catnip toys are exceptional motivators. They encourage even reluctant chewers to engage. Note: kittens under 6 months rarely respond to catnip, as the receptor develops with age.

The wrong toy isn't just ineffective — it can be dangerous. Here's what to watch for before anything touches your cat's mouth.

• 🚫BPA and phthalate plastics: Many cheap toys use PVC or ABS plastic that releases harmful compounds when chewed. Always check for "BPA-free, phthalate-free" labelling.
• 🚫Small detachable parts: Eyes, bells, and decorative elements on cheap plush toys are a serious choking hazard. Inspect every seam and attachment before use.
• 🚫Synthetic dyes and paints: Brightly coloured toys painted with non-food-safe dyes can leach toxins. Look for toys coloured with pet-safe, non-toxic dyes or left undyed.
• 🚫Thin foam or sponge materials: Foam tears easily into pieces that can cause intestinal blockages if swallowed — a veterinary emergency.
• 🚫Frayed rope toys: Natural fibre rope is great when intact. Once it frays, individual fibres can cause GI obstruction. Replace immediately.
• 🚫Dog chew toys: Many are too hard (designed for much stronger jaw pressure) and can crack a cat's smaller, more delicate teeth.
• 🚫Essential oil-scented toys: Lavender, tea tree, citrus, and many other essential oils are toxic to cats. Only catnip and valerian root are safe feline attractants.

The 30-Second Safety Test

Before giving any new toy to your cat, apply firm thumb pressure to all surfaces. If it dents and returns to shape — good. If it cracks, splinters, or breaks off a piece — discard it. Check all seams by pulling firmly. Inspect any painted surfaces for flaking. Smell the toy: strong chemical or synthetic odours are a red flag.

Your cat's age changes everything — from material hardness to toy size to what will actually capture their interest.

🐣 Kittens (0 – 6 months)

Teething kittens need soft, flexible toys with gentle resistance. The gums are tender and sensitive, and hard toys can cause pain rather than relief. Prioritise toys that are small enough to carry but large enough not to swallow. Plush mice, soft rubber rings, and single-piece silicone chew shapes are ideal. Avoid catnip until at least 3 months, and avoid rope toys without close supervision.

🐱 Adolescents (6 – 18 months)

The most energetic and destructive phase. Teething is over but prey drive is at its peak. This is when cats test the limits of every toy. You'll need durable rubber or silicone toys that can withstand aggressive chewing. This is also the ideal time to introduce catnip-infused toys to build positive associations with safe chewing. Rotate toys regularly — adolescent cats bore easily.

🐈 Adults (18 months – 8 years)

Chewing for adults is primarily enrichment-driven. They benefit most from toys that combine chewing with other stimulation — textured surfaces for dental health, catnip scenting for engagement, or interactive rope toys that can be dragged and carried. Introduce dental chew toys now to build lifelong oral health habits.

🧓 Senior Cats (8+ years)

Older cats often develop dental sensitivity, arthritis in the jaw, and reduced interest in vigorous play. Soft, lightweight toys that don't require much jaw force are ideal. Opt for plush chewables or soft silicone. Avoid anything that requires sustained biting pressure. The goal is comfort and mild stimulation, not intensity.

Chosen by our veterinary advisor, tested by over 12,000 cats, and made from 100% non-toxic materials. Here's where to start.

A chew toy is only as useful as your cat's willingness to use it. Here's how to make that transition smooth and permanent.

The Redirection Method

Punishment for chewing is ineffective — cats don't connect the consequence to the action after the fact, and it damages trust. Instead, redirect in real time. The moment your cat begins chewing something inappropriate, calmly remove them and immediately offer the correct toy. No scolding. No drama. Just a quiet swap.

Consistency is everything. If five family members see the cat chewing the sofa and only two redirect, the cat learns it's acceptable half the time. Make redirection a household habit.

Using Scent to Your Advantage

Cats navigate the world primarily through smell. Rub a small amount of catnip, or even a piece of their favourite treat, on a new chew toy to make it immediately appealing. Conversely, apply bitter apple spray to items you don't want chewed — it has no scent for humans but is deeply unappealing to cats.

Positive Reinforcement

When your cat picks up the correct toy and chews it, reward them with praise, a small treat, or a brief play session. This association builds over time until using the toy feels instinctively rewarding. Clicker training can accelerate this process significantly.

• ✅Catch your cat using the right toy and reward immediately
• ✅Place toys in the spots your cat chews most — proximity matters
• ✅Use vertical placement for cats who chew corners (hang toys at nose height)
• ✅Never use physical deterrents — they create fear, not learning
• ✅Be patient: consistent redirection typically shows results within 2–3 weeks

A well-maintained toy is a safe toy. These simple habits extend toy life and keep your cat protected.

Cleaning Routine

Rubber and silicone toys should be rinsed under warm water and dried after every play session. For a deeper clean, soak in a diluted white vinegar solution (1:10 ratio) for 10 minutes, rinse thoroughly, and air dry. Never use dish soap with fragrance or bleach-based cleaners — residual chemicals are harmful if ingested.

Plush and fabric toys can typically be machine-washed on a gentle, cold cycle in a mesh laundry bag. Remove and air dry — tumble drying can damage fibres and shrink the toy. Replace any plush toy when seams begin to split or stuffing becomes exposed.

When to Replace

• 🔄Any toy with visible cracks, splits, or sharp edges — discard immediately
• 🔄Plush toys with exposed stuffing or detached seams
• 🔄Rope toys that have begun to fray or unravel
• 🔄Any toy that has significantly reduced in size from chewing (swallowing risk)
• 🔄Catnip toys that no longer produce a response (the scent fades after 4–6 weeks)

We hope this guide gives you everything you need to make the right choice for your cat — whatever their age, temperament, or chewing style. Every product in the CaChew range is built around the principles in this guide: non-toxic materials, thoughtful design, and a genuine understanding of what cats need to thrive.

If you have questions not covered here, our team (and their cats) are always available via the contact page. Happy chewing. 🐾