If you own a cat, chances are that you have at least a few toys laying around the house with feathers on them. Feather toys are one of the most common materials you will find on cat toys, and it’s no mystery as to why. Cats love them! If you’re prone to spoiling your kitties like I am (as you should be!), you might be frequenting the pet store often and struggling to find a toy without feathers. To a cat parent, this might make it seem like feathers are perfectly safe for cats. I mean, they must be if they’re including them on so many toys, right? Well, this isn’t necessarily true. Keep reading to find out if feather toys are safe for cats, and find some options for featherless cat toys that will still satisfy your fur baby’s hunting instincts and keep ’em purring!
Note: I am not a medical professional, and this article is not to be taken as medical or veterinary advice. Always contact a veterinarian regarding concerns about your pet’s health or behavior. Additionally, Caitycat is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.
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Why Do Cats Love Feather Toys?
Let’s first get into why cats seem to love feather toys so much.
If I told you just how many toys I’ve bought for my girls Luna and Hazel throughout the years, you’d probably look at me like I had three heads. It’s….a lot. And when I tell you that at least 80% have had at least some kind of feather on it, I’m not lying! Cat toy brands seem to love including feathers on them, even if it seems unnecessary. This is because cats are obsessed with feathers.
Why, you ask? Well, cats are natural hunters, and birds are their prey in the wild. According to Catster, feathers stimulate their predatory instinct and have unpredictable movements that attract cats. It’s no wonder cats seem to get crazy eyes when you break out the feather toys!
While feather toys get our babies’ attention quickly, there are some health implications to be wary of before you leave your cat alone with them.
Are Feather Toys Safe for Cats?
As a cat parent, you’re probably way too familiar with the feline instinct to chew on things that they shouldn’t. This can include plants, ribbon, string, sticks, etc. I could go on forever.
Feathers are no exception to this! If you’ve brought home some feather toys for your kitty and noticed that the toys have seemed to thin out a bit, it could be because they are chewing on and swallowing them. If this happens, it could lead to a whole host of health issues. PetMD includes feathers on their list of unsafe toys for cats, as one issue that can arise is the feathers getting lodged in the throat or stomach. In addition, Hepper mentions that an internal obstruction and/or choking is possible when a cat ingests a feather.
In short, it’s best to supervise your cat closely if they are playing with a feather toy to avoid any serious health complications.
What to Do if My Cat Ate a Feather
If your cat did ingest a feather, you should contact your vet to ask what to do. If it’s a small feather, it could pass through their system, but you want to watch for vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, or any other signs that something isn’t right with your kitty. Since cats can’t digest feathers, there’s a chance it could come back up before it even makes it to their digestive system. However, gastrointestinal problems are a real risk, which is why it’s crucial to get a veterinarian’s advice on the path forward if your cat ate a feather.
While feather toys aren’t very safe for cats if they are unsupervised, fear not. You have options!
5 Alternatives to Feather Toys for Cats
It might be tempting to let your kitty run wild with their feather toys since they seem to get their zoomies out. However, if you’re not able to actively monitor your cat while they’re playing with feathers, you might want to look into featherless alternatives. Below I’ve included the 5 best options for toys that will still stimulate a cat’s hunting instincts without risky feathers!
1. Cat Spiral Springs
My cats’ absolute favorite toys ever are spiral springs. They bounce around so easily when batted so they mimic prey. My kitties go insane for them! The best part is they are super affordable, and since they don’t have any feathers and are big enough that cats can’t choke on them, you don’t have to worry about any health surprises!
My favorite springs can be found on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4lglDco. I’ve bought multiple packs at this point, because they always seem to disappear behind appliances! (LOL)
2. Hide and Seek Interactive Cat Toys
Do you remember when we were little we would play ‘cat and mouse’ with a giant parachute in the schoolyard? One person (the mouse) would crawl around under the parachute while the other person (the cat) would crawl around on the top and try to catch the mouse. Ah man, those were the days.
Well, this hide and seek interactive cat toy is pretty much the same concept. It comes with a motion activated ball that you put inside of a mat, and your cat tries to catch the ‘mouse’! I bought this when my cat Hazel had to be quarantined from my cat Luna because she was sick. It kept her busy all day, and she still plays with it to this day!
You can find the interactive hide and seek toy that I have on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/4emEbWc.
3. Cat Ball Toy Launcher
My cats go nuts for this toy launcher that shoots out different colored cotton balls. My parents actually bought it for their kitty cats first, and I just knew how much my cats would love it too! It’s a great way to have some one on one play time with your babies, and it’s sure to get their energy out before bedtime!
You can find the cat ball toy launcher that I have on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3T7xrlm.
4. Rechargable Cat Laser
Cat lasers are possibly one of the best cat toys ever invented. They’re affordable, rechargeable, and usually come with a variety of laser shapes to keep your cat’s interest. My cat Luna in particular loves her laser toy and will chase it all around the house and up and down the stairs.
You can find the exact laser I have that’s shaped like a cute little cat paw on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/3HXS5BT.
5. Cat 3-Level Ball Tower
If you’re looking for a featherless toy that will still stimulate your cat’s hunting instincts, this 3-level ball tower will do the trick. Cats love pushing the balls and watching them come back around! It’s a great option to keep your cat busy while you try to get some work done as well.
You can find this 3-level ball tower on Amazon here: https://amzn.to/44n6M9l.
In Conclusion
Hopefully now you have a better idea about if feather toys are safe for cats. While feathers provide cats with a fun way of stimulating their hunting instincts, there are health risks you should be wary of if your cat ingests a feather. It’s always best to supervise your cat with their feather toys and not leave them laying around the house. There are also other toy options on the market that don’t have feathers but still provide your cat with an outlet for their pent-up energy. The most important thing is that you are spending time playing with your kitty and looking out for their safety!
Did you find this article helpful? Let me know in the comments!
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