
Essential Pet Toy Safety Tips and Top Recommendations for Happy, Healthy Pets
Playtime is an essential part of our pet’s daily routine to keep them stimulated, as well as being good exercise and a strong bonding activity for you and your furry friend. Toys are an excellent tool to help engage your pet’s senses as well as keep their attention and redirect their focus away from unwanted behaviours.
Pet toy safety is a concern for many pet parents; you want to know that your pet’s playtime is full of fun without posing any unnecessary risks. Certain toys may or may not be appropriate for your animals, and so knowing the best options for durable and non-toxic pet toys will help put you at ease.
In this blog we are going to outline some of the essential toy safety tips to keep your pets happy, healthy and out of trouble, as well as taking a look at some of the best pet toys in Australia which will keep your fur babies both safe and stimulated.
Why are toys important for your pet?
Toys play an important role in the maintenance of your pet, both physically and mentally. Different types of toys can help keep your pet’s mind sharp and focused, tapping into their various instincts and interests, as well as stopping them from getting bored and turning to unwanted behaviors for entertainment.
Some of the reasons why toys are important for your pet’s wellbeing include:
Keeps their mind sharp
While walks and general exercise offer your pet physical exertion and engage their senses, interesting and durable pet toys work your pet’s mind and body in a different way. Perhaps they have to use their tongue to get some treats out of a tricky place, have to practice stealth, pouncing and paw reflexes to grab a feather on a string, or can learn to regulate themselves by using scratching posts and pet climbing trees to get out their excess energy.
Stop destructive behaviours
When pets get bored or anxious, they can turn to destructive behaviours as a way of regulating themselves. This may look like scratching or biting furniture, digging up the garden, or even urinating in unwanted places. Making sure that your pet is kept stimulated with different toys can help to keep them focused and calm, reducing the risk of them destroying your new sofa!
Bonding
Not only are toys good for your pet, they can be good for you too. Using toys to play with our pet can help us bond with them and earn their trust - you may even be able to teach them some new tricks! It is also shown that time spent with animals is extremely beneficial for humans, and can reduce overall stress and anxiety.
Dog toy safety tips
All pets are unique, meaning that they will have different needs and interests, especially when it comes to playtime. Depending on the size and breed of your dog, you may find that what is safe for one pup isn’t for another, and so being aware of your dog’s individual requirements is a must.
Here are some of the top dog toy safety tips to keep in mind when shopping for your canine companion:
Choking hazards
One of the biggest risks to look out for when it comes to dog toys is the risk of choking. Toys with small or removable parts are particularly dangerous, and soft toys especially, if chewed thoroughly, can break open and your dog may try and have a taste of the stuffing inside. Squeaky toys warrant caution, as again your dog may eventually bite the toy open and then the squeaker becomes a significant choking hazard.
Before giving your dog a softer toy, be sure to remove all pieces that could cause initial issues, such as buttons, plastic eyes or parts, etc, and if you plan on leaving your dog alone for a few hours, only ever give them access to toys that you know aren’t likely to cause choking.
Size matters
Different toys will suit different breeds, particularly when it comes to the size of your dog. Certain dog toys are bigger and heavier, which if given to smaller dogs could cause problems, for example, they could get hurt if the toy landed on them. Smaller dogs also have smaller throats and airways, meaning that toys with larger or removable parts are more likely to get lodged in their throat and cause choking.
Vice versa, toys meant for smaller dogs are naturally smaller, and therefore may get lodged in a larger dog’s throat easier - always do your research about which toys are better suited for small and large dog breeds.
Are plush toys safe for puppies?
Plush toys can offer a lot of comfort to puppies and younger dogs, and they are often soft and light, meaning that the risk of them being harmed by them physically, for example if the toy was to fall on them or be thrown their way, is reduced.
However, plush toys are known for being less durable; after excessive chewing they may begin to break apart, leaving your puppy open to significant choking hazards such as stuffing and small parts. Rubber chew toys are often recommended for puppies, as they are more durable, less likely to cause a choking risk and can help with teething.
Cat toy safety guide
While dogs often draw our attention when it comes to playtime, cats also need stimulative activities to keep them on their toes.
When looking for toys for your cat, keep in mind:
Keep smaller household objects out of reach
Cats are known for their love of string - chasing it, chewing it, pouncing on it! Our feline friends are drawn to smaller things like string and feathers as it emulates elements of their natural prey, therefore they instinctively want to chase it. However, these simple objects can actually pose a significant choking risk to cats, and cat-safe toy alternatives should be used instead.

Similarly to dogs, cats love a good chew on a soft toy, and so always be sure to remove any smaller parts that could easily become a choking hazard, and keep an eye on the state of the toy to intercept it being ripped open and the stuffing subsequently nibbled on.
Climbing safety
Climbing is a favourite pastime of cats, and they can reach incredible heights if left to their own devices, hence that cats getting stuck in trees has become something of a stereotype. If you choose to bring a cat tree home, always ensure it is properly secured and won’t fall over onto your cat.
Keep an eye on each platform and part to check if they are coming loose, and remove any hanging threads or strings that your cat could get themselves caught on if they were to fall.
Playing with kittens
Kitten play should always be supervised, as these little bundles of fluff have a way of getting themselves into mischief, stuck in certain dangerous places, and the choking risks, amongst others, of cat toys are greater when the cats are smaller and younger.
Safe toys for pets
Want to know where to find some of the best safe pet toys in Australia? Look no further than World 4 Pets! We have hand selected a few of our favourite safe pet toys that we stock online to give you some inspiration for fun, safe and stimulative pet playtime.
For Dogs:
Extreme Play Chew Stick for Dogs
We love this chew toy for dogs, made with non-toxic TPR rubber, it is extremely durable, meaning hours of playtime with your pup without worrying about them chewing it to bits, and worse, choking on small parts. This product lends itself well to water play due to its buoyant nature, and makes an attractive squeaking sound when squeezed, which will likely delight your dog no end.
The toy is soft in texture making it irresistible for your dog to chew on, providing a high level of stimulation, and not only that, the grooved surfaces help to keep your pup’s teeth and gums clean and healthy.
If you are looking for more eco-friendly pet toys in Australia, durable toys are a great option due to the fact that they last so much longer, reducing the need to regularly replace them.
Kong Classic
A classic in the world of dog toys, Kong offers the enticing enrichment activity of treat-hunting, all wrapped up in a bouncy, super-durable rubber toy which your dog can chase to their heart’s content. Simply fill the toy with your dog’s favourite treats and watch them forage!
It is recommended that your dog is supervised when given a treat toy, as any food-related enrichment naturally poses choking risks.
Hol-ee Roller
This versatile toy is made of natural, durable rubber, meaning no matter how your dog likes to play, this toy can keep up! It bounces, it rolls, it’s stretchy and chewable - what’s not to love?
Offering an abundance of enrichment options in one, the dog-safe, honeycomb-shaped Hol-ee Roller is a firm favourite amongst our dog toy stock.
For Cats:
Laser Pointer
Laser pointers are an excellent tool to encourage your cat’s natural chase and pounce instincts, and pose pretty much zero risk. You are in charge, so you can point the laser wherever is safest and allow your cat to simply follow the little light around to their heart’s content.
A super fun and often amusing interactive activity for you and your cat, this simple toy can provide hours of safe and effective fun.
Leopard Tunnel
Cats can rarely resist squeezing themselves into a small or more confined space, so why not allow them to get the same feeling in a safer way? This 90cm tunnel with a fun leopard print design comes built in with added holes on the sides for your cat to get in and out of, as well as being lined with fun crackling material which can help stimulate your cat’s senses.
Catit 2.0 Wave Circuit
Last but certainly not least, we have a versatile and unique circuit toy which can give your cat hours of stimulation. Your cat will be able to watch the ball move along and bat at it through the peekaboo holes on top, keeping their attention for as long as they have the energy to chase.
The toy is easy to assemble and clean, making for less mess and hassle and more time for playing. There are over 100 different shape options to try out, so your feline friend will never be bored, and you can rest assured they are getting stimulation in a fun and safe way.