Every cat needs a selection of toys to keep them amused; they have moods, don’t you know?
This PetDroid Boltz is a little more kinetic than the Hexbug, which is already more interesting than the cheaper Bits and Pieces wind-up mouse.
What sets this piece of feline entertainment gear apart, however, is that you can leave it to turn on randomly (actually, every 1½ hours) when you’re not at home.
How it Challenges your Cat
The cool part of this design is that the two light-up wheels work independently, making this little gadget frolic in totally unexpected ways. The tail to which the feathers (or ball, or ribbon, or bird or butterflu toy) are attached trails behind the body, swishing around when it turns or spins and occasionally standing up straight like a flagpole.
Luckily, accessories are available for sale; the included five are sure to get shredded sooner or later.
Interestingly, cats (those who aren’t terrified of the little thing, anyway) tend to accept it as a playmate and don’t get very rough with it. This may be due partly to the Boltz’s own behavior: occasionally, it will spin around and seem to charge the hunter instead of the other way around.
In any case, it’s built pretty tough; even small dogs can play with it without much risk.
Better than Others
The battery lasts for several hours and is rechargeable through a standard USB charger, though this is not included. Unlike many comparable cat toys, it works flawlessly on either carpet or hard flooring (there is actually a setting specifically for carpet) and doesn’t get stuck in corners easily.
Best of all, especially for those working from home, it has an automatic shut-off timer – just turn it on, toss it to distract the cat occupying your laptop, and rest assured that it will power itself down once the cat has been entertained for a couple of minutes.
The price is indeed on the high side, but this is a bargain in terms of a bored kitty’s quality of life. Remember, a happy, stimulated cat is much less likely to scratch the furniture, torment the dog and poop in your shoes.
