Pawbreakers All Natural Catnip Toy

October 23, 2010 7:41 pm | By Zootoo Editor CynthiaLo

Don’t tell Wonka but someone sold his secret recipe for the everlasting gobstopper for cats. The size of a medium-sized gumball, this compressed orb of catnip is undoubtedly a delightful twist on the traditional feline favorite. I had a funny feeling when I requested this product, that I should get a gumball machine full. Would my six cats really be willing to politely share this little gem of herbal indulgence? If so just how long would it last? I had visions of it getting pulverized to a powder after just one day in pussycat central.

In spite of immediate popularity on the feline scene, the Pawbreaker Original did not break down in any substantial manner. It did inspire confusion on the user front. Is it a treat? Is it a toy? Do we care? No! We’re in love and nothing else matters! (Except for the fact we spend a lot of time looking for love in all the wrong places.)

While this delicious ball has high appeal, you might say the taste is hard to contain. Within minutes it’s likely to roll straight under the couch, refrigerator or wherever lies your home’s Bermuda Triangle of cat toys. My six cats had no way of keeping track of who licked it last and where it went missing. I supposed they could’ve devised some sort of log to help the next user request a nibble but our group is just not that formal. When I questioned them, all I got was a lot of claw pointing. As a result, this amazing ball would stay out of commission for weeks. Luckily, I found the perfect venue for play when I added it to our Turbotrack, a curved plastic racetrack for cat toys. The track allowed for licks and bats but kept the catnip ball corralled.

If only the Pawbreaker Original were a bit bigger, like a racquetball. The company does make a 12-pound, beach ball-sized version for big cats like tigers and lions. It’s called the Clawbreaker. The company website video for that one is definitely worth a peek. I think it’s out of my price range but I wish I could see my little cats tackle that!

For now, I can’t complain. For only a few dollars, our tiny organic Pawbreaker Original has amused six cats daily for months and appears to have a lot more miles under the hood.

Pros: Durable, lots of bang for your buck.

Cons: Small size makes the treats roll into hidden places.