Toys and chews are part of everyday life for most pets. This guide sets out general, practical steps to help keep play safe. It is general guidance, not advice about your individual pet.
Important: these are pet products, not toys for children. Keep them out of reach of children. Some products have small parts, cords or pieces that can come loose during use, which could be a choking or strangulation hazard for a child.
General guidance for every pet
- Choose the correct size. A toy or chew should be too large for your pet to swallow whole. If your pet is between sizes, choose the larger option.
- Supervise play, especially with a new toy and with young animals, until you know how your pet uses it.
- Inspect toys regularly for tears, splits, loose parts, frayed threads and sharp edges.
- Remove loose pieces and any small fragments that break off.
- Replace toys when they are worn. A toy that has been chewed down or torn should be thrown away.
- Rotate toys so your pet stays interested and each toy has less wear.
- Store toys out of reach when you cannot supervise.
If your pet swallows part of a toy, or seems unwell after playing, get professional animal-health advice promptly.
Cats
- Cardboard scratchers shed small pieces as they are used; this is normal. Sweep up the pieces and replace the scratcher when the surface is worn through.
- Check plush toys for open seams. If the filling is exposed, remove the toy.
- Place scratching posts on a flat, level floor so they stand steady. Trim or replace the sisal rope when it becomes loose or frayed.
- Ball track toys have small balls inside the track. Check that the balls stay in the track and remove the toy if a part cracks or a ball comes out.
- Put away toys with strings or dangling parts when you are not supervising.
A note on catnip
Not every cat responds to catnip; some show little or no interest. If you have a young kitten, you may prefer to wait until it is a few months old before giving catnip toys. Give catnip toys in short sessions and put them away afterwards.
Dogs and puppies
- Choose a toy that suits your dog’s size and chewing style.
- Fetch toys such as flying discs are for supervised play. Throw them low and on soft ground, and take the toy away if it is cracked or split.
- Teething toys are for supervised use while puppies are teething. Check them after each session and remove any piece that breaks off.
- Plush toys with a squeaker are for supervised play. If a seam opens, or the filling or the squeaker is exposed, remove the toy.
- Rope toys fray with use. Trim loose strands and replace the toy when it starts to unravel, so your dog does not swallow threads.
- Do not leave a dog alone with a toy that is starting to break apart.
Rabbits
- Wooden chews and sticks are made to be gnawed, and they will wear down over time. Remove small or sharp splinters, and replace chews when they become too small to hold safely.
- Check hanging chews regularly to make sure the string or hanger is secure and not frayed.
- Willow tunnels are gnawed as well as used for hiding. Check the weave regularly and remove broken or sharp ends.
- Give new chews gradually so you can see how your rabbit uses them.
Birds
- Shreddable toys are designed to be pulled apart. Remove shredded material from the cage floor and replace the toy once it has been mostly shredded.
- Check hanging hardware, clips and strings often. Remove frayed strings and anything a bird could catch a toe or beak in.
- Choose toys that suit the size of your bird and its cage.
If a product seems faulty
If a product arrives damaged, comes apart sooner than it should, or seems faulty in any way, stop using it and email support@petmonkey.co.uk. Faulty items are covered by our Returns & Refunds Policy.