Safe Toys and Calm Play for a New Rescue Dog or Cat

Toys and play are a big part of life with a dog or cat, and they can help a new pet settle. In the first weeks, though, the goal is calm play: short, gentle, low-pressure activities that build confidence and burn a little energy without tipping a stressed animal into overwhelm.

This article matches page 9 of the free First Night Home 14-Day Planner (Decompression: the calm toolkit) and Video Guide 5.

Why calm play matters during decompression

New pets are taking in a lot. High-energy games like long fetch sessions, rough tug, or chasing can be fun later, but in the first days they can raise arousal in an animal who is already on edge. Calm activities do something different: they give your pet a job, let them use their nose or hunting instincts, and help them associate you with good things.

Calm activities for dogs

• Sniff walks. Let your dog choose where to sniff on a short, quiet route. Sniffing is a natural way for dogs to take in the world (see Guide 9).
• Scatter feeding. Toss part of a meal onto grass or a towel and let your dog find it.
• Lick mats. Spread part of your dog's usual wet food on a lick mat. Licking is a calm, repetitive activity many dogs enjoy.
• Simple find-it games. Show your dog a treat, place it a short distance away, and say "find it." Build up slowly.
• Quiet company. Sit nearby and do nothing. It counts.

Calm activities for cats

• Wand toy play. Short sessions where you move a wand toy like prey: along the floor, behind a box, pausing. Let your cat "catch" it at the end. Put wand toys away after play, since strings are a hazard if left out.
• Food puzzles. Simple puzzle feeders let a cat work for part of a meal.
• Boxes and paper bags. Many cats enjoy exploring them (remove handles first). See Guide 4 on why cats like boxes.
• Window watching. A cleared shelf or cat tree near a window offers safe entertainment.
• Play before bed. Many cats are active around dawn and dusk. A short play session, then a meal, before your bedtime may help everyone sleep.

Choosing safe toys and chews for dogs

The ASPCA notes that chewing is normal for dogs, and Best Friends recommends giving dogs appropriate things to chew. The ASPCA's position statement on dog chews and treats encourages owners to choose chews carefully and to supervise. Practical guidelines:

• Choose toys and chews sized for your dog. A toy small enough to fit fully in the mouth can be a choking risk.
• Supervise any new chew or toy until you know how your dog uses it.
• Throw away toys that are broken, torn, or coming apart.
• Ask your vet which chews suit your dog, especially for very strong chewers, puppies or seniors.
• Rotate a few toys rather than leaving everything out; old toys feel new again.

If your dog guards toys or food, growling or stiffening when you come near, don't take items by force. Trade for a treat, and talk to a qualified trainer. Resource guarding is common and workable with the right help.

Choosing safe toys for cats

• Avoid leaving string, ribbon, yarn, hair ties and rubber bands where a cat can reach them
• Choose toys without small parts that could come loose
• Store wand toys and toys with strings after play
• Offer a variety: something to chase, something to bat, something to "hunt" in a box

Cornell Feline Health Center notes that play and environmental enrichment can help reduce unwanted behaviors in cats.

How long should play last?

Keep sessions short at first, a few minutes, and stop while your pet is still interested. Watch your pet's body language. Signs to pause:

• Dogs: whale eye, stiffening, intense staring, frantic grabbing, nipping hands
• Cats: flattened ears, tail lashing, dilated pupils, swatting at hands

A calm ending matters. For dogs, finish with a sniff or a lick mat. For cats, let them "catch" the toy, then offer a small meal or treat.

Don't use hands as toys

It is tempting to wiggle fingers for a kitten or wrestle with a puppy, but it teaches that hands are for biting. Use a toy as the target instead. This is especially important with a new pet whose history you don't know.

Track what works

Page 9 of the planner has space to try one calm activity at a time and note how your pet responds. Over the first two weeks you'll start to see favorites, which makes the rest of decompression easier.

A simple toy kit to start

You don't need a basket of toys. A small, rotated kit is enough for the first two weeks:

• Dogs: one size-appropriate chew, one soft toy for gentle carrying, one food puzzle or lick mat, and one toy for brief, calm tug once your dog is settled
• Cats: one wand toy (stored after play), a few small balls or crinkle toys, a cardboard box, a scratcher, and a simple food puzzle

Rotate two or three items every few days and put the rest away. Write what your pet liked on page 9 of the planner, so you buy more of what actually works.

When to get help

Play that regularly turns into biting, growling, or frantic behavior, or a pet who shows no interest in anything and stops eating, is worth discussing with your vet or a qualified behavior professional (see Guide 13). This guide is general education only.

Common questions

Sources

Checked October 24, 2026. This guide summarizes public guidance from these organizations; it is not veterinary advice.

1. ASPCA, Destructive Chewing
2. ASPCA, Position Statement on Dog Chews and Treats
3. Best Friends Animal Society, How to Stop Destructive Dog Chewing
4. Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: Destructive Behavior
5. ASPCApro, Pet Adjustment Periods: 3 Days, 3 Weeks, 3 Months