10 Best Toys for Dogs and Cats to Play Together in 2023 – Reviews & Top Picks

There’s only one thing better than parenting a dog or a cat—parenting one (or more) of each! And nothing gives you a warmer, fuzzier feeling than when your cat and dog are the best of friends. If this describes a furry duo close to your heart, you’re no doubt on the lookout for toys that your dog and cat can enjoy playing with together.

We checked out user reviews of various popular toys and rounded up 10 of the most suitable for cats and dogs to play with together. We hope you get some great ideas for keeping your fluffy dream team entertained for hours.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites (2023)

The 10 Best Toys for Cats and Dogs to Play Together

There’s nothing cats love more than chasing down something on a string, and who says a dog can’t join in, too? This teaser toy is our best overall toy for dogs and cats to play with. It’s designed for both cats and dogs, so the string is made to be durable and stretchy enough for dogs to pull at. It also contains squeakers to mimic what real prey sounds like and comes with a replacement faux fur plush toy in case one snaps off.

User reviews are largely positive, with praise for how well the toy stands up to even larger breeds and high-energy breeds. Some users mention that their dogs were able to chew through it after a while, but then, many toys can be destroyed if a dog is determined enough. It’s a good idea to always supervise playtime and take away parts of the toy if they detach. Also, some users consider it too large for cats and especially kittens, but others say that their cats love it.

Our best toy for dogs and cats to play together for the money recommendation is this rechargeable laser pointer by Litterbox.com. Laser pointers are good for stimulating your cat or dog’s hunting instincts, but just be sure to let your pet “win” sometimes if you’re using one—it can be quite frustrating for dogs and cats to constantly chase something they can’t catch.

User reviews highlight this laser’s suitability for both dogs and cats and rechargeability, which makes it more durable than standard laser pointers that aren’t rechargeable. On the other hand, there’s no guarantee every cat and dog will love it—laser pointers are one of those toys your pet will either love or just won’t care for at all.

This snake tease wand is marketed for cats but is made of durable plush designed to withstand biting, so if you have a chase-loving dog, they might enjoy this toy, too. Attached to the plush snake are feathers to further stimulate the prey drive—just remember to keep an eye to make sure your dog or cat isn’t ripping them off and chewing them up.

User reviews are overwhelmingly positive and describe the teaser snake as springy, well-made, and sturdy. On the other hand, some users mention that the feathers come off easily and some cats find the toy’s size intimidating. Apart from this, it seems like a real hit!

For puppies and kittens, this variety pack contains chew toys, throw toys, and pull toys. Though chew toys are designed for dogs, there’s no reason why cats/kittens can’t enjoy chasing one or running after the plush throw toys. Variety packs are great for making sure there’s something everyone likes and allowing you to change things up to prevent boredom.

Positive user reviews talk about the durability and cute design of the toys in this variety pack. On the other hand, some users say that they’re easy to break or get ripped, so they’re not really an option for adult dogs or determined chewers.

Treat balls are a great option for mentally stimulating both cats and dogs as they have to work for their food, or, in this case, treats. This treat ball allows you to close the area that the treats exit to turn it into a standard ball if you want to change things up. You can also get special treats suitable for both cats and dogs to fill it up with.

Some users have successfully used this treat ball with dogs as well as cats. It appears that the mental stimulation factor is much appreciated by pet parents who were looking for ways to keep boredom at bay, though some do mention that you can only fit certain types of treats inside and that it’s difficult to clean because it doesn’t open for the purpose.

You just can’t beat a good old game of fetch—and yep, some cats love it, too. If you’ve got a fetch-loving dynamite duo, a humble set of tennis balls should keep them entertained time and time again. This set contains 12 mini tennis balls in blue, red, and yellow and the balls are small enough for cats and small dogs/puppies to enjoy.

If your dog is a bit bigger, however, these tennis balls might be chomped through in a flash, so you might want to consider getting bigger ones for your medium or large dog. As with any toy, it’s also highly recommended that you supervise play sessions so you can be on hand to take the ball away if your dog chews through it.

Obstacle feeders offer the perfect opportunity to mentally stimulate both your cat and your dog simultaneously. You simply pop in some cat and dog-suitable treats and let them figure out where they’re hidden with their noses and paws. You can put the treats either under the white bones or hide them under the red doors. You can choose from four toys varying in difficulty from easy to expert.

User reviews praise this toy’s brain-training power and how well it keeps dogs busy and prevents boredom. On the other hand, some say that it’s easy to chew through if a dog is determined enough, so it might not be the best option for your heavy-chewing pooch.

If obstacle feeders have tickled your fancy, here’s another idea for you—this time, a dispensing toy designed for both dogs and cats. With this toy, you hide treats under the cute sushi caps and just let your dog and cat have at it until they sniff out the goods. You can hand wash it with soap and water and let it air dry if it ever needs freshening up.

According to user reviews, the sushi caps are easy to move around and cats and dogs of all ages and sizes are having lots of fun with this toy. Some users wish there was a larger version for long/big-nosed dogs, and it may be a little too easy to solve for really clever dogs and cats.

If you have cats and dogs that like to fetch or simply spend time cuddling up with soft toys, you might want to consider this 3-set of stuffing-free squeaky plush toys in the shape of a raccoon, squirrel, and fox. They’re designed for medium-sized dogs but user photos show cats enjoying them, too. One of the best features of these toys is their lack of stuffing, so you won’t find any of that all over your living room floor after a play session.

Most reviewers have had a positive experience with these toys, mentioning that they’re durable and mess-free even for larger or more determined chewers. On the other hand, some say that the squeakers break easily and some disagree that they’re strong enough for heavy chewers.

Our final pick of the day is this rechargeable flopping soft plush fish by Potaroma. Included in your package is a USB cable and you simply unzip the belly to charge. A catnip pouch is embedded in the toy in case that’s something your cat (or even dog) likes and it’s motion-activated to start wiggling when your pet is nearby.

This product has received mostly positive reviews with particular praise for its realistic look and movements. Some pets have been having a great time with this toy, but some buyers have commented that their pets got bored with it after a short time. It also doesn’t last very long according to some reviewers.

Buyer’s Guide: How to Pick the Best Toys for Dogs and Cats to Play Together

When choosing a toy for your dog and cat to play with together, the first thing you’ll want to consider is how safe the toy is. Is it made of non-toxic fabric? Is your pet a heavy chewer that may break off small pieces and swallow them?

The truth is that it’s rare to find a toy that heavy chewers can’t destroy if given enough time or opportunities, so however pet-safe a product is, you should still supervise your pets while they play with it to help prevent them from swallowing small pieces or getting bits stuck in their mouth or teeth.

Another factor you’ll want to consider is how suitable the toy is for your pet. User reviews can give you a great idea of the products that may or may not suit your cat or dog but you know your pet best.

Do they prefer toys they can chase? Toss about? Cuddle with? Puzzle out? To increase your chances of getting your money’s worth, go with your instinct as to the kind of toy your pet will actually play with and get the most use out of.

It’s also best to go for something made of durable, quality material if possible, but, to reiterate, there are never any guarantees that a strong or determined pet won’t be able to chomp their way through a toy. Look for something that seems like it will at least last a reasonable amount of time under your pet’s teeth.

Conclusion

Quick recap before you click away—our best overall toy for dogs and cats to play together is the Outward Hound Tail Teaser designed for both cats and dogs and that comes with a replacement toy. Our best value for the money pick is Litterbox.com’s laser pointer toy which comes at a reasonable price and can be recharged. For our premium pick, we chose the long and sturdy ZEZE snake teaser wand.

We hope you’ve found these reviews helpful and now have some fantastic ideas for toys your cat and dog can enjoy together. Good luck!

Featured Image Credit: Chendongshan, Shutterstock