The FPC Standard

We Carry Fewer Products. On Purpose.

Every product on For Paws Collective (FPC) is reviewed against our internal product selection framework ("The FPC Standard"). Only products that meet our selection criteria are included on the site.

Unlike children’s toys, pet toys are not subject to a specific federal safety standard. Pet treats are regulated by the FDA, but for pet vs. human food, there’s a disparity between the ingredients allowed, manufacturing process required, and amount of government oversight.

Our Criteria

That's why we evaluate all of our products against three criteria:

  • Materials and ingredients
  • Feline behavioral function
  • Real-world performance

If information isn't publicly available, we directly contact manufacturer and request written confirmation before including a product. In addition to this review, we field test each product in our own homes. We only include products we'd choose for our own cats.

These criteria are used as part of our internal product selection process and are based on manufacturer disclosures, product design, and hands-on testing in real homes.
The FPC Standard for Environmental Enrichment Supplies

Materials and Ingredients
  • Primary materials clearly disclosed by the manufacturer
  • Excludes PVC (vinyl) and rawhide from products intended for chewing or mouthing
  • No loose glitter or flaking decorative coatings
  • No small hard decorative components attached to the surface
    (e.g., plastic eyes, hard bristles)
  • For parts designed for mouthing or chewing: 1) no exposed sharp wire, metal ends, metal crimps, or small metal components, 2) dyes or colorants disclosed and identified by manufacturer as intended for pet use

Feline Behavioral Function
  • Serves a real feline behavioral need (e.g. prey play, scratching, climbing or perching, foraging, scent enrichment)
  • No novelty-only or purely decorative items

Real-World Performance
  • Tested in our own homes with our own cats
  • Observed engagement aligned with the product’s intended use
The FPC Standard for Treats and Scent Enrichment

Materials and Ingredients
  • Ingredient list is fully disclosed; no vague or unnamed animal sources (e.g. “meat by-products” without species identification)
  • No artificial dyes (e.g. Red 40, Yellow 5/6, Blue 2)
  • No BHA, BHT, or Ethoxyquin
  • No active product recalls or safety alerts identified at time of review, based on publicly available information
  • Brands with multiple recall or safety alert events in the past 2 years are not included

Feline Behavioral Function
  • Formulation serves a stated and recognizable purpose (e.g. training reward, dental support)
  • No cosmetic-only additives that serve no nutritional or functional role

Real-World Performance
  • Tested in our own homes with our own cats
  • Observed consistent engagement over repeated use