How to Choose Pet Toys for Dogs & Cats
The best pet toy is not the one with the most features. It is the one that matches how your dog or cat already likes to play, is the right size for their body, and can be used safely in your home.
Quick answer: start with play style, then check size, material, supervision needs, and how easy the toy is to inspect and clean. A toy that works well for one pet may be a poor match for another, even if they are the same species.
Choose the toy by how your pet plays
Before buying anything, watch what your pet naturally does. A dog that carries socks around the house may enjoy holding and shaking toys. A dog that searches under blankets may enjoy scent-based enrichment. A cat that stalks moving objects may prefer teasers, rolling toys, or toys that mimic prey movement.
| Play style | Good starting point | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Dog that chews | Durable rubber or chew toy | Appropriate size, condition, no pieces breaking off |
| Dog that sniffs and searches | Snuffle mat or treat puzzle | Washable surface, supervised use, food size |
| Dog that chases | Ball, disc, or grab-tab toy | Large enough not to swallow, durable material |
| Cat that stalks and pounces | Teaser, rolling ball, moving toy | Supervise cords, tails, and small moving parts |
| Cat that scratches | Stable cardboard or textured scratcher | Enough length for a stretch, stable base |
Dog toys: size and durability matter first
For dogs, toy size is one of the first safety checks. The American Kennel Club recommends choosing balls and toys large enough that they cannot be swallowed or lodge in the throat. Bigger dogs generally need larger toys, and strong chewers may need more durable materials.
Durability should match the individual dog rather than the label on the package. Inspect the toy before and after play. If your dog can tear off chunks, expose a squeaker, split the rubber, or pull apart rope fibers, that toy is no longer in the same condition you originally bought it in.
The ASPCA also advises matching chew products to the dog's chewing habits and avoiding items that can break into large pieces that may be swallowed.
Chew toys
Chew toys can give dogs something appropriate to mouth and work on, but no chew toy is indestructible. Choose a size that cannot be swallowed whole and a material suitable for your dog's chewing strength.
If a toy has a squeaker or removable component inside, stop using it once that part becomes exposed. AKC specifically warns that squeakers and broken toy pieces can become choking or intestinal hazards if swallowed.
Fetch toys
For fetch, look at size, grip, and durability. A ball should be large enough that it cannot disappear into the back of your dog's mouth. If your dog likes to puncture or shred balls, inspect them frequently and replace them once they split or lose pieces.
Grab tabs or textured surfaces can make a toy easier to pick up without changing the main safety rule: it still needs to be an appropriate size for your dog.
If your dog enjoys chase-style play, you can compare the Interactive Jumping Ball for Dogs with the other fetch and movement toys in our collection.
Enrichment and food-based toys
Snuffle mats, licking mats, and treat-dispensing toys make the pet work for part of a meal or treat instead of simply eating from a bowl. They can be useful for sniffing, licking, and problem-solving, but they still need supervision until you know how your pet uses them.
Choose food-based toys that are easy to clean and large enough for your pet to use without chewing off pieces. Follow the product's cleaning instructions, especially when soft food is involved.
You can browse our Dog Toys collection for fetch, chew, tug, and enrichment options.
Cat toys: think like prey, not like a gadget
Cats Protection recommends play that lets cats stalk, chase, pounce, and bat at objects in a safe way. That is why many cats respond well to wand toys, rolling balls, and moving toys that create a prey-like pattern.
What matters is not whether the toy is electronic or simple. It is whether your cat engages with it safely and whether the toy matches the way they like to hunt and play.
For cats that like moving targets, see the Interactive UFO Teaser Toy for Cats and compare its play style with rolling balls and wand-style teasers.
Teasers, strings, and moving parts
Interactive teaser toys can be excellent for play with a person, but string, ribbon, tails, and small attachments should not be treated as unsupervised toys. Cats Protection advises putting away toys that can be shredded, swallowed, or tangled around the cat when no one is watching.
If a toy has a rechargeable motor, moving tail, feather, or similar attachment, check it regularly for wear and store it away if your cat starts chewing components rather than chasing the toy.
Scratching is a separate need
Scratching is not the same as chase play. Cats use scratching surfaces to stretch, mark, and maintain their claws. A cat can have several play toys and still need a dedicated scratcher.
Choose a scratcher that is stable enough not to tip and long enough for your cat to stretch against it. Some cardboard designs combine scratching with a ball track or resting area, but the scratching surface should still be usable on its own.
Browse our Cat Toys or Cat Toys & Enrichment collections for interactive and scratching options.
Safety checklist before you buy
- Size: choose a toy large enough that it cannot be swallowed or become lodged in the throat.
- Material: match the material to how strongly your pet chews, pulls, scratches, or bites.
- Small parts: avoid leaving exposed squeakers, bells, tails, strings, or loose pieces with an unsupervised pet.
- Condition: replace toys that split, fray, develop sharp edges, or lose pieces.
- Supervision: supervise new toys until you understand how your pet interacts with them.
- Cleaning: wash food-contact toys after use and follow the manufacturer's instructions.
How to rotate toys without buying more
You do not need every toy available at the same time. Cats Protection recommends rotating toys regularly to help keep them interesting. The same idea can work for dogs: keep a small selection available, then swap items when interest drops.
Rotation also makes it easier to inspect toys. Every time you bring one back into use, check for loose pieces, frayed fabric, cracks, or other damage before handing it over.
A simple toy-selection plan
- Watch how your pet naturally plays.
- Choose one toy type that matches that behavior.
- Check size and material before buying.
- Supervise the first few sessions.
- Inspect the toy after play.
- Keep it in rotation only if your pet uses it safely and enjoys it.
Frequently asked questions
What type of toy is best for an active dog?
There is no single best type. A dog that enjoys chasing may like fetch toys, while a dog that enjoys sniffing may get more from a snuffle mat or treat puzzle. Matching the activity to the dog's natural play style is more useful than choosing by energy level alone.
What are enrichment toys for dogs?
Enrichment toys give the dog something to work out, search for, lick, or manipulate. Common examples include snuffle mats, licking mats, and treat-dispensing toys. The goal is to create an activity rather than simply give the dog an object to hold.
How do I choose a toy for my cat?
Watch what your cat does during play. Cats that chase along the floor may prefer rolling toys, while cats that jump and bat at moving objects may enjoy teasers. Most cats also benefit from a separate scratching surface.
Can I leave interactive toys out when I am away?
Only if the specific toy is designed for that use and you already know your pet cannot pull it apart, swallow components, or become tangled in it. Toys with cords, strings, tails, or removable parts should generally be put away when unsupervised.
How often should I replace pet toys?
Replace based on condition, not a calendar. If the toy splits, loses pieces, frays, exposes stuffing or a squeaker, develops sharp edges, or no longer works as intended, remove it from use.
How do I choose the right toy size?
Use the listed dimensions and compare them with toys your pet already uses safely. For dogs, avoid balls or objects small enough to swallow or lodge in the throat. For cats, make sure loose components cannot be easily chewed off and swallowed.
Browse by pet
Start with Pet Toys for Dogs & Cats, or narrow the selection to Dog Toys, Cat Toys, or Cat Toys & Enrichment.