How Safe Is Your Cat From His Favorite Toys?

by Lisa Selvaggio

Published: September 3rd, 2015

how safe is your cat from his favorite toys

It’s all fun and games until someone eats a toy. There are certain toys you should be wary of letting your cat get his paws on.

There are a variety of cat toys to choose from, but are there some that can be dangerous to your kitty? Check out the list below to see what toys you should avoid or only let your cat play with while you’re there to supervise.

String

Even though you’ve probably seen adorable pictures of kittens playing with a ball of yarn, the truth is that strings are dangerous toys that should only be around cats when you’re there to supervise their play. A cat who is left alone with a string may begin chewing on it and swallowing it.

Strings can lead to strangulation, and they can also wrap around your cat’s intestines, causing the intestines to become pulled, torn, or blocked up. At that point, surgery may be the only option that your vet could offer to save your kitty’s life.

To prevent accidental ingestion of string, as well as choking, keep items like yarn, ribbon, sewing thread, tinsel, rubber bands, etc. away from your cats. If your cat enjoys chasing a string, make sure you play with him without leaving the string behind.

In the event that your cat swallows a string, don’t attempt to pull it out of his mouth and throat, or out of his rear end if it’s coming out that way, as doing so could cause more damage.

If you know that your cat has swallowed string, contact your veterinarian to determine what you should do to ensure your cat’s wellbeing.

Laser Pointers

A lot of cat owners get a kick out of watching their pets chase a tiny red laser dot on the floor. Obviously, you shouldn’t shine the laser directly into your cat’s eyes, but could this toy actually do more harm than you thought?

Basically, laser pointers increase the potential that your cat will get worked up because he will never be able to catch his “prey.” Because the cat plays but never wins the game, the frustration can take its toll. Imagine being a natural born hunter but never being able to catch prey. Some cats may end up transforming this frustration into negative, aggressive behaviors towards themselves and/or others.

To avoid this problem, you can switch toys after playing with the laser pointer for a little while. Let your kitty catch the toy, which he’s imagining is prey, so that he has the satisfaction of ending the hunt/game as a winner.

Other Toys to Avoid

Below is a list of other toys that you should avoid in order to ensure that your kitty will have fun playing without being at risk of injury.

Don’t let your cat play with toys that are small enough to be swallowed. For example, when it comes to balls, stick with those that are larger than ping-pong balls.
Avoid toys that aren’t securely sewn or sturdy, especially if your cat will be chewing on the toy and scratching at it with his claws. You don’t want the toy to easily fall apart, exposing small parts or hazardous stuffing that can be swallowed. If a toy is coming apart at the seams, replace it.
Don’t purchase cat toys that have sharp edges, loose parts, or small items that are glued on that can be removed quite easily and ingested by your cat.

When purchasing pet toys, check labels to determine what they’re made of, and consider removing any parts that are glued on or that can easily become loose and fall off while your cat plays with them. Also remember that interacting with your cat is a great way to bond with him, as well as a great way to be certain he’s not hurting himself during playtime.

Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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American XL Bully dogs will be banned by the end of the year after numerous attacks were reported across the United Kingdom. The term "XL Bully" typically refers to a type of  American Bully breed known for its muscular build and larger size compared to standard American Bullies. These dogs are often selectively bred for their size, strength, and temperament, so while they are not inherently aggressive, they have the means to do some damage if they are reared to be dangerous.The ban has owners of bully breeds across the UK scared and confused, so here’s what you need to know about the details of this edict. Starting from December 31st, all XL Bullies will have to be kept on a lead and have a muzzle while in public. What is more, from this date it will be completely illegal to advertise, breed, sell, exchange, gift, or abandon or let stray any XL Bullies. In short – it is a decisive strike against this breed, as announced by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, earlier this year.Furthermore, a complete ban on people owning XL Bullies will come into force in the UK from February 1st, 2023. This had owners scared that their pets would have to be put down just because of their breed, but, luckily, that’s not the case. If the owner applies before the end of January, with the wish to keep their pet. With that, the household will receive an exemption certificate, but it will also have to comply with a very strict set of rules related to the breed. UK government department Defra has announced that it received more than 4,000 exemption applications so far and that a “majority” were approved. Their spokesperson said that “ "The majority of applications are successful and the majority of successful applicants are receiving their certificates in less than a week."This only supports the assurances that there will be no “forced” euthanization of these dogs. However, those people that do not apply for an exemption by the end of the deadline, will have to put their XL Bullies down. They will be granted £200 to cover the costs of a vet euthanizing their dog. Rescue and rehoming organizations can claim £100 per animal for the same purpose. The government's website states "the euthanasia must be performed by 31 January 2024" for these financial claims to be successful. Sadly, because of this new law, at least 246 XL Bullies will be put down in the coming period, as their owners did not apply for an exemption, or were not granted one. American XL Bullies are not the first dogs to be banned in the UK. Several breeds were banned in the past, and owning them is now completely illegal. These breeds include the  Pitbull terrier,  Japanese Tosa,  Dogo Argentino, and  Fila Brasileiro. Owning a banned dog breed can get you in plenty of trouble, specifically an unlimited fine and a six-month prison sentence. 

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