Ah, cat toys. Why pay money for a cat toy when your cat will most likely play with a piece of string, a ping pong ball or a crinkled up piece of paper? Can you occasionally go low tech in a pinch? Of course. However, for your sanity it is wise to build up a collection of toys that your cat enjoys either with you or alone. Get into a routine of initiating play with your cat. The interaction and the exercise are good for both of you. From your cat's point of view your entire house has many potential toys available to him/her from the cord on the window blinds to the tiny ceramic figurine on the shelf. A supply of dedicated, safe toys and your participation can go a long way towards diverting your cat's attention from inappropriate items.
The toy we are reviewing today is from the Kong Company. It used to be known as a Dr. Noys' pet toy but now is the Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy. The picture above shows the Frog version of the toy, new on the left and well-used on the right. Apart from the shock of yellow hair on the Frog's head and the stitched-on eyes the toy has nothing that is able to be chewed off. The interior of the toy is a compartment with a velcro closure that holds the catnip. The design is simplicity itself.
Catnip (Nepeta cataria)- hallucinogen, stimulant or aphrodisiac? Since we can't ask the cat, who knows? Catnip is a member of the mint family. While it does nothing for us as humans, it does transiently affect a high percentage of cats. Some cats are genetically programmed to respond to the substance in catnip (nepetalactone) so this trait is inherited. If you have a cat that responds to catnip then both you and your cat are in for a treat. It can be presented fresh or dried, crushed or whole leaf. The Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy comes with catnip "teabags" that can be placed inside the toy and so changed out when the potency wanes. This way your toy is always ready for action.
Reaction to the catnip toy can include rolling, rubbing, yowling, dilated pupils, hyperactivity and just general craziness. Attempts to remove the toy from the grasp of the cat can result in injury to the owner so it is best to just sit back and watch the show.
The video below shows both Mack and Pinkie responding to the Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy. The dried catnip provided with the toy elicited a somewhat mild response. Not surprising since my previous experiences with catnip has shown that fresher is better. This time of year fresh catnip is in short supply. Though it reseeds freely it does die back outdoors in the Winter so the dried version is the next best thing.
For a potency comparison we were able to procure some bulk dried catnip. The response of my reviewers was slightly more enthusiastic but still not the all out craziness that I have observed in the past. We have not tried the sprays or oils that are available but it would appear that we need to delve into this further.
The Kong Cats With An Attitude Catnip Toy rates a Good for Playability. The various versions- frog, platy-duck, dog, lamb, etc,- are mouse-small and thus a good size for carrying and flinging. The design does allow for catnip to be continually refreshed and interchanged so that the allure need never wane. The catnip "teabags" supplied are easy to install but my reviewers found their potency somewhat lacking. The toy rates a Good for Durability because unlike other small, stuffed cat toys, there are no ears, eyes or tails to be chewed off and possibly ingested. The frog version has held up well despite being salivated on and the velcro closure still works. Safety rates a Good again because there are no appendages to be ingested. Always watch to make sure your dog doesn't steal the toy and devour it.
One's toy chest should always contain a catnip toy of some kind. Why deny your cat the pleasures of this legal kitty intoxicant?
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