FAQ: Toys for cats

Sisal balls and mice suit cats that like to claw and bite, as sisal is tough and rough. Once the sisal starts to unravel into long strands, replace the toy so the cat does not swallow them.

Sturdy rubber or silicone toys suit chewing cats and teething kittens. Choose toys made for cats, and throw them away once they start to crumble or bite marks leave loose pieces.

Felt balls are light and quiet, so cats often like them. They are safe as long as the cat does not chew them or eat the wool, so cats that suck or chew fabric are better off without them.

Wool sucking is more common in cats weaned early and in some breeds such as Siamese or Birman. If your cat eats fabric rather than just sucking it, talk to a vet, as swallowed fabric can block the intestines.

Toys made for cats should use paints that are not harmful, but a strong chemical smell or colour that rubs off easily is a bad sign. If your cat chews toys, choose undyed or natural-coloured products.

A poor-quality toy has weak seams, glued-on eyes or parts, sharp edges, plastic that breaks easily or a strong chemical smell. Before giving it to your cat, tug on the small parts, and if they come loose, don't give it.

Pick up the stuffing and throw the toy away, as synthetic filling, beads or plastic pellets can be dangerous if swallowed. Spilt catnip itself is harmless, but watch whether the cat ate any stuffing, and see a vet if she vomits or stops eating.

Dangerous items include thread, especially with a needle, string, ribbon, rubber bands, hair ties, tinsel, bags and small objects that can be swallowed. Keep them shut away and offer the cat proper toys instead.

Contact a vet straight away, especially if the cat swallowed string, rubber, plastic or anything sharp. Don't try to make the cat vomit yourself, and watch whether she vomits, eats, passes stools and how she seems.

Do not pull it, as the other end may be wrapped around the tongue or stuck in the intestine and pulling can injure them. See a vet as soon as possible.

Warning signs include repeated vomiting, loss of appetite, lethargy, a painful belly, problems passing stools, or a missing toy you cannot find anywhere. In that case see a vet straight away.

Yes, tinsel, ribbons and glass baubles are very tempting for cats but can be swallowed or break. Decorate the tree with sturdy, shatterproof ornaments and give the cat toys of her own.

Yes, small magnets are dangerous, as several swallowed magnets can pull together through the intestinal walls and injure them. Don't give cats toys with magnets that can come loose, and keep magnetic items out of reach.

Swallowed batteries, especially flat button cells, are very dangerous and can burn the mouth, oesophagus or stomach. The battery compartment should be screwed shut, and if you suspect your cat swallowed a battery, see a vet urgently.

Some children's toys, such as soft balls, can be fine, but they often have small parts, glued-on eyes, batteries or magnets. Check the toy as carefully as you would a cat toy and don't leave it with the cat unsupervised.

Dog toys are usually too big, too heavy or too hard for cats, and some have squeakers the cat can pull out. It is better to choose toys made for cats, sized and weighted for a cat's paw and teeth.

Although cats with balls of yarn are a classic picture, it is dangerous: the cat can get tangled or swallow yarn, which injures the intestines. Keep knitting yarn shut away and give the cat a safe toy instead.

Small hard objects such as caps, lids or paper clips can be swallowed or get stuck in the throat. If your cat loves them, offer a cat ball of similar size that is too big to swallow.

Yes, dangling cords look like a toy to a cat, but she can get tangled and strangled. Wind cords up high or fix them to a wall cleat so the cat cannot reach them.

It is worth inspecting toys at least once a week, and wands and chewed toys after every play session. Look for loose parts, splitting seams, frayed strings and sharp cracks.