Jw Pet Cataction Swatical Toy

September 22, 2011 9:50 pm | By Zootoo Editor Emily S.

The cheerful-looking Cataction Swatical Toy consists of a cluster of multi-colored feathers attached by a string to the top of a plastic pole on a weighted base, and works on the same premise as an inflatable doll that springs back up when you knock it down.

Generally, our tester cat Francie eschews this type of toy in favor of anything (a ball, a pencap, a wad of tin foil) which can be batted and chased across the floors, but Francie is a sucker for feathers, which perhaps explains her instant affinity for this plaything. Rather than using it as intended, however, she prefers to take the feathered part of the toy into her mouth and drag it around the apartment like a hunter with its prey.

Like all of the feathered toys I’ve tried, this one begins to shed its feathers after some rough play, but it starts out with an ample amount, so the attrition is less obvious (except for finding feathers on the floor).

As any cat owner knows, cats are both difficult and easy to please – buy them the most expensive toy on the shelf and they’re just as likely to ignore as to embrace it, but drop a bottle cap on the ground, and they’ll go berserk with delight. It wasn’t completely surprising, then, that Francie grew tired of this toy before I did, but I suspect that if I put it away and reintroduce it, the love affair will begin anew.

Pros: Cheerful design; engages and appeals to cats.

Cons: Feathers may shed after extended play.