Can dogs play with cat toys? It's a question you may have found yourself asking if you have both a canine companion and a feline friend in your family. And while it may make sense to kill two birds with one stone and let both of your pets play with the same toys, cat toys do pose some risks to dogs.
The best cat toys for indoor cats are, according to expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan, usually much smaller in size than dog toys and there's a chance that your pup could swallow one of these items and end up choking. Cat toys also aren't as robust and are designed to tap into a cat's natural hunting instincts.
Still, while purchasing cat toys for your dog isn't advisable, what about if you already have them in the house? Is it okay for your pup to play with them from time to time? And what happens if they accidentally eat one? We asked Dr MacMillan for her advice. Here's what she had to say...
Can dogs play with cat toys?
If you live in a multi-pet household with both dogs and cats, all the different items they need can quickly add up. So it's no surprise that you may have come up with a clever way to cut costs and have your fur friends share their toys. But is letting your dog play with your cat's toys a good idea? Dr MacMillan says most vets don't recommend it.
"While it might be good mental stimulation to play with new items now and then, cat toys could be problematic," she explains. "Generally, the bigger the dog, the more likely it is to accidentally swallow the toy or destroy it through chewing. Cat toys are often small in size leading to choking in dogs or have other bits on them like feathers or string, which they can easily chew off.
The good news is that there are some toys that are designed to be used by both cats and dogs and Dr MacMillan says it's best to purchase these or to try and encourage them to play with their own items.
What is the difference between a cat toy and a dog toy?
Walk into any pet store and you'll no doubt come face to face with rows and rows of different dog and cat toys – but surely they're pretty much the same, right? Well, according to Dr MacMillan, not exactly.
"The best cat toys are designed to stimulate natural feline hunting behaviors such as stalking, pouncing, and grabbing," she explains. "These movements often require fine motor control and precision. Cat toys are often small, and some have random prey-like actions.
"Dog toys on the other hand are designed for rough-and-tumble games like tug, fetch, and chewing. Dog toys tend to be larger, heavier, and more suited to your pet’s size. These toys are also more robust as they are designed to withstand the strength of a dog’s jaw and the intense way that they play."
So while they may often look similar, it's always advisable to buy your pup the best dog toys that have been designed to meet their specific needs rather than giving them your cat's toys to play with.
What happens if my dog eats a cat toy?
"If your dog eats a cat toy then there is a risk of it causing a blockage in their stomach or guts, depending on the size and shape of the toy. In some cases, a swallowed toy could cause choking," Dr MacMillan explains.
If you think your dog has eaten a cat toy, then you must call your vet for advice. Your vet might suggest an injection to induce vomiting, but some pets can require endoscopy (a camera to retrieve the item from your dog’s stomach) or surgery.
“Left untreated, a foreign body could make your dog seriously unwell, causing vomiting, diarrhea or constipation, abdominal pain, and damage to the digestive tract. It is always best to get your dog checked out rather than waiting for symptoms to develop."
Is it safe to give dogs catnip toys?
A substance that drives many cats crazy, catnip is found in many feline-friendly toys but is catnip safe for dogs or does it pose risks that you need to be aware of? Well, according to Dr MacMillan, both fresh and dried catnip are not toxic to dogs and shouldn’t have any adverse effects.
"Catnip doesn’t tend to have the same effects on dogs as it does on cats, but you may notice some mild sedation," she explains. "If your dog consumes a very large amount of catnip, then the plant material may lead to a few tummy troubles.
"Problems are actually much more likely to occur if your dog ingests the toy containing the catnip, however. If swallowed, a catnip toy could become lodged in your dog’s stomach or intestines, acting as a dangerous foreign body."
Read next: The dos and don'ts of dogs and cats living together.
Rebecca is a veterinary surgeon who graduated in 2009 from the Royal Veterinary College in London. She has a wealth of experience in first opinion small animal practice, having done a mixture of day-to-day routine work, on-call emergency duties and managerial roles over the years. Rebecca enjoys medicine in particular and she is proud to have recently achieved a BSAVA postgraduate certificate in small animal medicine (with commendation).
Edited by Megan Milstead.
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This page was last updated in May 2025 by Kathryn Williams.
