The end of January is the perfect moment to refresh your pet’s toy collection. After a month of indoor play, cold-weather boredom, and extra enrichment, toys get worn out quickly. Rotating, washing, and sorting toys keeps pets mentally stimulated and ensures their environment stays safe and clean. A little organization now makes February feel new again for your furry, feathered, or four-hooved family members.
Begin with a simple assessment. Pull out every toy from baskets, crates, barns, hutches, and hiding spots. Look for loose threads, cracked rubber, missing squeakers, or worn stuffing. Cats’ toys may have frayed edges, and dogs’ toys may show deep chew marks. Even small-animal chew toys and chicken enrichment blocks wear down and can become unsafe.
Wash what you’re keeping. Hard rubber toys can be rinsed with warm water and soap. Plush toys can be tossed into the washer if they’re still intact. Cat toys benefit from a sprinkle of catnip or silvervine after they dry. Small animal toys should be wiped clean and replaced if heavily chewed. Freshly cleaned toys feel brand new to pets.
Retire unsafe items. Anything with sharp edges, exposed stuffing, or broken parts belongs in the trash. Outdoor toys used in snow or mud may need replacing if they’ve stiffened or grown brittle. Horses and goats also go through treat toys and stall-safe balls that may need rotation to stay enriching.
Reintroduce toys strategically. Don’t offer everything at once—space out toys throughout the next month to maintain novelty. A “new” toy every few days boosts interest and reduces boredom. Cats especially love toy rotation, and even chickens enjoy fresh pecking blocks or boredom busters.
If you need replacement toys—durable chews, puzzle feeders, teaser toys, rabbit chew blocks, or poultry enrichments—The Hungry Puppy has options for every species. A refreshed toy box brings February excitement long before spring arrives.