Pouncing Paws - Motorized Cat Toy 2/the Best Cat Toy/import

Our cats love this toy and play with it day and night. We bought a second one as we have 3 cats. I have to replace batteries daily, so I use rechargeable which works well. HOWEVER, THE SECOND ONE TORE UP ALREADY 13 days after the 30 day return window ended, so we are stuck. It started making a horrible noise like stripped/missing gears (or a card in bike spokes) that scares the cats. Don't know what to do - we would like to replace the torn up toy, but we are concerned about durability. I would rate the toy at 5 stars if it was durable.We rarely get around to writing reviews, and generally then only if we had a problem - I know, we read reviews and should try to find time to do more of them ourselves. However, I want to make a point of commenting on the seller. I revised my original review to 4 stars - it would be 5 stars were it not for our concern about durability.However, I want to give the company 5 stars. After I wrote this review and also sent the same text as a seller comment, without any notification, a replacement toy was shipped to me. These folks really appear to stand behind this toy.We had previously bought two of the Cat's Meow (think that's the name) that uses 3 C batteries. We also bought 2 of the rechargeable battery packs for this toy. This version ate batteries, whether fresh, rechargeable, or the special rechargeable battery pack. After a short while, one of them would only run a very few minutes before draining batteries (any kind). The second one is still working, but gets stopped if the want runs into the lightest obstruction such as a handkerchief draped over one area. Also, one of the two battery packs lasts a much shorter amount of time than the other one.With the Pouncing Paws, using 4 rechargeable AA batteries, we can run the toy all day on one charge - and as much as our cats like this toy, it is on a lot. It also has the power to push past toys and other light obstructions so that we can set up more situations to keep the cats interested. We are planning to buy another one soon so we will have 3.Even our female who is on Prednisolone for IBS and food allergy (and is seriously overweight as a result) will run and play with this toy. The toy also draws her into some games with our two little boys which is good.So, we hope it's not bad luck for everyone, but we highly recommend this toy from this seller - and also stress, get the model 2 like everyone else said.UPDATE 10/18/2015:We are ordering 2 more because the ones we have are already worn out.I have lost count as to how many of these we have ordered. We try to keep two so we can use them in different rooms when we have to separate the cats. This is the one toy the cats do not seem to get tired of playing with, but the gears seem to strip within about 2 months of heavy use. Right now we have only one that works, and it's dying.The problem seems to be that the motor wears down and starts moving the arm slower. Then the gears strip - probably one plastic gear somewhere locked inside where I can't get to. If I could open the unit, I would try to take 2-3 broken ones and see if they all failed the same way. However, all I can do is report the loud plastic gear stripped noise and the arm starts skipping and then quits moving while the toy makes horrible noises.Once when I reported this problem, the company sent me a replacement. Maybe they could at least start a program of giving you a free unit after you purchase 3-4 units. The ideal would be to replace a couple of plastic gears with metal to make the toy more durable.

Mildly interesting to my cats, a bit smaller than I expected and a bit flimsier. Also, the feather head attachment started coming apart immediately. I think I would have given it a higher rating if it was under 20- the price was expensive for what it was.

I had a similar one before this and in comparison this one's much much better! Firstly, I love that there's a switch for different speeds. Movement is much smoother and quieter than my older sportpet set I got (which has the blue print cartoon), which cost almost twice the price. Also, I had to use a screwdriver to open the battery compartment on the older set, whereas this one does not. And the fact that this uses AA batteries instead of C size batteries (that my other old one uses) makes it much cheaper and more convenient especially since it's easier to find both rechargeable & non-rechargeable AA batts than C ones here. Overall, compared to the other set, this one just looks and seems more authentic, like the real deal. And of course, my cats love it. As for the wear and tear of the wand, it's not much of a problem as I used to tie strings to the end and they would still chase and pounce on it.Update: July 2015I ordered another one of this to put in another room since I've 3 cats who like the toy. There's one difference I noticed from the previous set I bought. The button is now more sensitive. I can just tap it lightly to switch on/off and between speeds, while the one I got earlier I had to press. This certainly makes it easier to operate, especially if like me you tend to use your feet to press the button. But that also means the cats may accidentally switch the controls while they play, so if that's the case it'd be better to start the game on speed 1 or 2 so that there's leeway for "accidents" before the toy stops after 4.

I was a bit disappointed with this item, firstly the mat is impossibly fringed and no matter what I was not able to lay it flat on the ground; the edges of the circular mat float upward thus the cat can see everything underneath which takes the allure out of the chase. I think this is a real design flaw, it being a cheaply made/poorly cut material.Secondly, the thing is way too fast, even at the slowest setting. The fastest setting borders on the absurd. A cat could lose interest quick due to not being able to "catch" his prey often enough. It's too difficult.The only positive I have is that it is relatively quiet and smooth in its movement.I'll have to check out some competing motorized cat toys I suppose.

My two cats, age 2 and 3, were very interested in this toy in the beginning. They sat and watched it for a while and then would try to bat or catch the feather. It keeps them interested for about 15 minutes now. I feel like there should be a little bit of a slower speed; they like it best on the first/slowest setting. The fast speed is quite fast for them. It is worth the money and seems to work well so far. It's the one toy I don't have to play with them; so that gives the Owner a rest!

The media could not be loaded.  Brand new today.... HE LOVES IT!! I got this to try to give us a break from the, "TRUE LOVE" of a shoe string that is tied to a door knob that Teddy wants us to play with him non stop with since losing his brother. It has become out of control! I just got this and put it together tried the string because he loves the shoe string and he loved it. I then put on the feather as two attachments came and he want WILD over the feather attachment! So much so I'm in fear it will break he's going nuts! He hasn't even looked up at the shoe string his true love that is tied to the door knob and thank goodness. Coming home after 10 hour days working the last thing I want to do is play with a shoe string for 2 hours and trust me he insisted. I am hoping against hope that this lasts for a while!!! I need the break! Will update on longevity at a later date as I just opened it and put it down and it's love at first site!