Can Dogs Have Cat Toys? Is It Safe?
Yes and no. Owners of dogs and cats often find themselves asking whether it is safe for dogs to play with cat toys especially since cat toys are usually smaller and often have loose pieces that are not found in dog toys. Dogs may find cat toys equally intriguing and playful, and would certainly not distinguish whether it was designed for dog or cat.
If dogs and cats can play toys together, why should we be careful about giving cat toys to dogs?
The issue is mostly related to safety concerns around dogs' habit of chewing and swallowing toys that fit inside their mouth. As curious as dogs are, this is not surprising at all. Everything that is easy to tear apart such as a piece of plastic eyeball or a small ball can potentially be damaging if swallowed.
So it comes down to whether your dog has an old habit of swallowing its own toys. If yes, your dog is also likely to try shallow cat toys with no exception. It is best avoid cat toys with many loose and fragile parts and pointy/hard objects that could get stuck in your dog’s throat or gastrointestinal system. Stick to the safer choices such as soft textile toys, feather teaser cat toys and rubber toys.
A good habit to have when you have dogs and cats playing with the same toys is to wash and clean the toys often to avoid drool and bacteria build up.
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