Last Updated: 19/03/2026
Pet Toy Safety: How to Choose Safe Toys for Dogs and Cats
Not all pet toys are created equal. From avoiding choking hazards to preventing dental fractures, this expert guide helps Australian pet parents select the right toys to keep dogs and cats mentally stimulated and physically safe during solo or supervised play.
Author: Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Play is a fundamental pillar of a happy pet’s life, providing the mental enrichment and physical exercise needed to prevent boredom and anxiety. However, even the most innocent-looking ball or plushie can pose a risk if it isn't the right fit for a pet's size or chewing habits. From intestinal blockages caused by swallowed fragments to painful tooth fractures from materials that are too hard, the wrong toy can quickly lead to an emergency vet visit. While no toy is truly indestructible, understanding how to evaluate durability and design is the best way to ensure "fun time" stays safe.
Common toy hazards to avoid
Identifying potential risks before a toy enters the home is the best way to prevent an emergency vet visit. While play is essential, certain features can quickly turn a fun gadget into a health hazard. To keep a pet safe, it is important to look out for these common dangers:
- Linear foreign bodies: Items like ribbons, string, yarn, or elastic can be life-threatening if swallowed. These often cause the intestines to bunch up like a drawstring, which typically requires major surgery to correct.
- Choking hazards: Small, detachable parts such as plastic eyes, bells, or internal squeakers can be easily chewed off and inhaled or swallowed.
- Dental fractures: Toys that are too hard - such as natural bones, antlers, or heavy nylon chews - don't "give" when a pet bites down. This can lead to painful tooth fractures, especially in puppies or senior pets.
- Incorrect sizing: A toy that is too small for a pet's mouth can accidentally be swallowed or become lodged in the back of the throat during high-energy play.
- Sharp edges: Brittle plastics can crack and splinter when chewed, leading to painful cuts in the mouth or perforations in the digestive tract.
Selecting safe dog toys
Dog toys are definitely not one size fits all. When choosing toys, firstly consider the different types of toys your dog will need, as well as their preferred play style (eg chewing!) and their size.
Size
As a rule of thumb, toys should be large enough that they will not fully fit in your dog's mouth, particularly for home alone play. They should not have small pieces that can easily be chewed off and swallowed, remove any tags, buttons, eyes etc. from toys prior to letting your dog play with them.
Durability
Durability is a particularly important consideration for larger dogs who like to chew, as a safe toy can quickly become a hazard if chewed into smaller parts. For this reason always supervise your dog closely with new toys, removing them immediately if damaged.
The flip side to this is that for puppies and older dogs who have less robust teeth should not be offered toys such as nylon bones or extra durable plastics that are very hard, as chewing on these could result in painful tooth fractures.
Play types
Offering your dog a variety of toys rotated regularly is important to keep them mentally stimulated, particularly if they are left home alone for longer periods. While it's good to offer a range of different toy types (eg chew toys, puzzle toys, soft comfort toys), your dog's preferences may make some types of toy less suitable. For example, a power chewing staffy is likely to make short work of most soft toys, while an older toy breed dog is likely to have a lower drive to chew things up and may prefer a comfort toy to snuggle instead.
Durable toys for power chewers
For pet parents with a power chewer at home, it is worth exploring heavy-duty options like the Aussie Dog, Tasty Bone and KONG Extreme ranges.
Want to learn more? Read our guide to choosing the best dog toys.
Choosing safe cat toys
Toys are important for cats as well! Regular interactive play can help to build your bond with your cat, while food dispensing and automated toys are ideal for getting your cat active when you are not home to play.
For cats, the main risk from toys comes from strings and ribbons, as these can become caught around the tongue or cause serious problems if they end up in the gastrointestinal tract. This is unfortunate, because most cats enjoy stalking and chasing long moving objects!
To begin with, start by cat-proofing your home by removing all string like objects which may prove tempting for your feline friend. If your cat enjoys them, teaser toys are a great option, just save them for interactive play so that you can supervise your cat and check them regularly for signs of damage.
For home alone or solo play, automated toys are ideal and come in a range of different types.
FAQs
Selecting the right toys involves more than just picking something cute off the shelf; it requires matching the object to a pet's unique size, age, and chewing strength. By regularly inspecting toys for wear and tear and choosing appropriate materials, pet parents can provide a stimulating environment that minimises risk. Remember, the safest way to introduce any new toy is under close supervision to see exactly how a pet intends to play with it.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 19 Mar 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Teagan Lever BVSc (Hons)
Head Veterinarian, BVSc (Hons)
Pet Circle's Head Veterinarian, Dr Teagan graduated from the University of Queensland in 2010 and went on to work in small animal and mixed practice in various locations around QLD & ACT before joining Pet Circle in early 2016. Dr Teagan has special interests in dermatology, nutrition and preventative health care. She feels privileged to witness the special bond people share with their pets on a daily basis and enjoys forming lasting relationships with pet parents and their fur children.
