Play and mental stimulation are important to your cat’s well-being (and it saves your furniture from destruction). The problem is that the toys most accessible to cat owners can do more harm than good, especially when it comes to your kitty’s nine lives.
What is harmful about cat toys?
Aside from the more obvious risks of choking or choking on small, bite-sized, and rough toys, another dangerous culprit lurks within the material of your cat’s toys. The same plastic that chokes the planet can also threaten your kitty’s health.
Unlike most children’s products in the US, there is no regulatory body that ensures pet toys are non-toxic and safe for our furry friends.
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has earned the nickname “poison plastic” because it tends to leach its toxic ingredients, and is unfortunately common in pet toys. Pet toy makers often add phthalates to soften and bisphenol-A (BPA) to harden pet products.
The dangers these ubiquitous chemicals pose to our pets are still not fully understood, although some evidence suggests a connection between BPA and thyroid disease in cats.
Human and other mammal studies can also reveal the potential dangers of these chemicals. The findings concluded that BPA is also neurotoxic and carcinogenic, and many health problems are associated with phthalates.
We still don’t know much about the plastic ingredients BPA and phthalates. So we, as pet parents, must be very selective in the products we use for our beloved feline friends.
Why choose non-plastic cat toys?
Plastic makes up a surprising number of cat toys available online and in stores — from hard plastic bell balls to soft catnip toys made of polyester. And each poses a potential threat to your pet’s health and safety.
Hard plastic toys can damage or break your cat’s teeth, especially if they like to chew on their toys.
As for softer toys, kittens may accidentally swallow them. Your cat’s barbed tongue that helps them groom can also velcro to the synthetic fibers of soft, stuffed toys and cause these particles to be swallowed.
“Once swallowed, the toy can cause serious problems if not recognized and treated quickly,” explains Dr. Katarina Luther, DVM and owner of Cat Care Clinic. This often leads to expensive surgery that can put your cat at risk.
Are there any substitutes?
When looking for cat toys that are safer for your feline friend and the planet, look for products made from natural ingredients like hemp, cotton, and wool. You can also make toys for your kitten, from simple wool felt toys to a cat playground from recycled materials.
The best thing you can do for your kitten’s safety is to supervise them during playtime.
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