Small pets need something to wear their teeth against as much as something to play with, and a toy that only does one of those jobs tends to get ignored the moment the novelty wears off. Willow does both without anyone having to engineer it that way — it is chewy enough to gnaw and light enough to bat around a cage floor.

This is Happy Pet's Willow Ball, woven entirely from 100% natural willow branches, at roughly 14cm across. It is a chew as much as a toy: gnawing at the woven branches helps wear down a small pet's continuously growing teeth, and the loose weave gives it enough give to be pushed and batted around rather than sitting completely rigid.

• 100% natural willow branches
• Approximately 14cm across
• Doubles as a chew and a plaything
• Helps wear down continuously growing teeth
• Suitable for small pets generally

What we don't know. the makers give us the material and the approximate size and nothing else — no weight, and no guidance on how long a willow ball this size lasts a determined chewer before it needs replacing. As a natural, woven material, expect some variation between individual balls.

Who it's for: owners of rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets who want a chew toy that also gets pushed around and played with, rather than one that just sits in a corner of the hutch.