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The Perfect Cat Toy: Perfection Found... with minor adjustments Part 3

Sunday, February 17, 2013 15:52

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I’ve believe I have found the perfect cat toy in the products made by GoCat– namely the Cat Catcher and their Da Birdie.

First, a word about another product I tried getting my hands on: Neko Flies. In theory, they’re a lot like the Go Cat products. With two major exceptions– price and where they’re constructed. The Go Cat products are made in the USA. Neko Flies doesn’t have information on their site about where the products are made– at least, not where I can find. Neko Flies’ parent company, Nekochan Enterprises, is located in British Columbia, so I suppose the guestimation can be made that the products are made there. But, I don’t like to assume anything.

Then there’s the astronomic price of their products– ranging from $11 for just an attachment (or “critter”) to $67 for a kit that includes the rod and 6 of their “critters.” Many of the Neko Flies attachements are very similar to those sold by Go Cat. Others look simply like pipe cleaners twisted into insect shapes. After a slightly rude email correspondence with them, I wouldn’t buy anything from them. As I routinely do, I emailed requesting a sample product to review. Usually when companies are very small, they may not send a sample, but I’ve never gotten a nasty email basically telling me that my review isn’t needed since they have better people reviewing their products. Really? I may not be Jackson Galaxy, but I have a fairly decent readership.

From what I see on their site, the products look handmade– which doesn’t mean they’re poorly made, by any means. But, what it means for me is, if they can do it at home, so can I– and for much cheaper than what they’re charging.

So, after getting a rude email from a foreign company, I went back to Go Cat and ordered Da Birdie, along with a replacement 3-pack of birdie attachments, another Cat Catcher, and an accessory called Fur Fun. All that, with shipping, cost a little under $33. They sent a free crinkle ball as a thank you gift also. All their items are made in the US and after using the Go Cat, and getting used to the wire’s quirks, I think it is one of the best toys on the market.

I’ve been using the same Da Birdie since I made the purchase in August. I received the items maybe a week after placing the order, and with Luna– who is a very rough kitty (she likes beating up things)– having the same feathers last this long is a testimonial to a good quality product.

The only thing I’m not crazy about is the mouse on the Cat Catcher. After maybe 2 weeks it fell apart. So, with a little ingenuity, I found a replacement: bumpy pipe cleaners. Using the same rod with the connector, I simply twisted the pipe cleaner in on itself, wrapped it around the connector, used pliers to fold back any edges of metal, and I have a neat little critter that the girls go nuts over. I made my DIY critter in early August, and it shows zero signs of wear and tear– and they both have gone crazy with it. After just one session with Luna, the Cat Catcher mouse started to fall apart. I think the rod, wire, and connector are worth the $7, just get a pack of these pipe cleaners and be prepared to replace the mouse in a few days.

Alternatively, you can use the Fur Fun on the Cat Catcher rod with the same effect. Luna loves it and she often fights me for it, takes the fur in her mouth and runs off with it.

Some small recommendations.

Do NOT leave the toys around the house for kitties to play with themselves. The folks at Go Cat note kitties will love them to death if the toys are left around. I kept the box Da Birdie was shipped in and use that to store the toys. Once the box falls apart, I’ll find something else, but in the meanwhile, all I have to do is touch the box and the girls come running.

Use the Cat Catcher a few times to get the hang of how the wire moves. It can be dangerous and I wouldn’t allow a child to use it with a cat. I’ve whacked myself with it, and the damned thing hurts. You also want to make sure you don’t accidentally whip kitty with it either.
Keep in mind NONE of these toys are proper kill toys. Luna has “killed” the fur fun without much damage to the toy. But the feather toys are chase toys. I’d suggest taking Jackson Galaxy’s recommendations about playing just before feeding time. That way, kitties get their energy worked out and get to “kill” their meal. I try to run them to exhaustion just before mealtime.
After using Da Birdie, before putting it away, make sure the string hasn’t knotted or wrapped itself around the top of the rod. After vigorous play, the chord tends to wrap and knot. It just takes a little patience and fingernails to undo the knots. If the string wasn’t nylon, then getting the knots out might be much more frustrating. But, as long as you keep ontop of it, there aren’t any problems untangling the chord.

Play with your kitties at least 10 minutes a day, or more depending on temperament, breed, and need to “kill.” I’ll post my favorite catnip toys in the next few weeks.

2013-02-16 08:00:37

Source: http://www.green-and-growing.com/2012/10/part-3-perfect-cat-toy-with-minor.html

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