What is safe for cats to chew on?

Question:

What can I give my cat to chew on? Can or should we buy chews or bones for our cats? Can you recommend the best cat chew toys? I wanted to buy some to help their teeth but they all say they are for dogs.

Table of Contents Show

Can you recommend the best cat chew toys?
What can I let my cat chew on?
What kind of bone can I give my cat to chew on?
What to give cats who like to chew on things?
Do cats need to chew on things?

Answer:

In cats, chewing on things that aren't food is generally considered to be an abnormal condition called "pica." Siamese cats who chew or suck on wool fall into this category.

Pica can be a sign of dental disease or abdominal pain, so get your cat checked by the vet if your cat suddenly starts this behavior or does it excessively.

Teething kittens (between 4-7 months of age) will often chew anything in sight, but this is usually temporary.

There are cats who do like to chew; if yours is one of them, you’ll want to provide an acceptable alternative to wires, shoelaces, leather, and other tempting items. Many cats chew on plants. The stiff, crunchy leaves of a spider plant, for instance, seem to be irresistible! But that's not always the same reason cat's like to eat grass.

Lots of cats lick or chew plastic or Styrofoam, which is sometimes attributed to the animal by-products in those items. (My personal theory is that they like the noise it makes!) However, it’s best to keep those items out of reach.

Frozen raw marrow bones and frozen raw spare rib bones can be incredibly healthy and attractive to cats. Plus, they're great for cleaning teeth.

Not many cats like to chew on toys, and in general it's not necessary to buy them for an adult cat.

But there are cats who do like to chew; if yours is one of them, you’ll want to provide an acceptable alternative to wires, shoelaces, leather, and other tempting items. Some natural catnip toys are specifically designed to support teething or pica in cats or kittens.

Because cats are sensitive to carbs, chewy, jerky-type treats rather than biscuits are most appropriate. Also remember that these edible chews will add calories (mostly fat), so you may need to adjust your cat's food intake accordingly.

By the way, you can't rely on treats or chews for your pet's dental health. Talk to your vet about how to truly keep your pet's mouth healthy.

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What can I let my cat chew on?

Offer Chew Toy Alternatives Try dehydrated or freeze-dried meats or safe dog chews. If that's not possible, give him something you know is safe for him to chew on. Cat grass or catnip are great options as long as catnip doesn't make your cat upset. You can also use food toys to satiate his need to use his mouth.

What kind of bone can I give my cat to chew on?

Edible bones are softer, less dense bones that are less likely to cause tooth damage while your cat chews. Weight bearing bones, such as beef marrow bones for cats are too hard and dense for your cat to chew safely. Stick to bones like poultry necks and feet, chicken backs, or chicken wing tips.

What to give cats who like to chew on things?

Our Top Picks.

Best Overall Cat Chew Toy: Pioneer Pet Nip Nibblers Catnip Toy..

Best Breath-Freshening Chew Toy for Cats: Petstages Fresh Breath Mint Stick..

Best Cat Chew Toy for Dental Health: Petstages Lil' Avocato Catnip and Dental Health Cat Toy..

Do cats need to chew on things?

Carlo Siracusa, clinical assistant professor of behavior medicine at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. “Cats have to chew on their prey to disassemble the bodies and eat. It's a behavior that can very easily enter other areas of a cat's life.”