As many of you know if you have followed our blog for a while, I am a pretty big fan of the FroliCat line of cat toys. So much so, that two years ago for Cody's birthday I had a colossal give-away.
Cody's favorites in the FroliCat line are the FroliCat™ BOLT™, the FroliCat™ FLIK™ and the FroliCat™ POUNCE™ by PetSafe® .
When presented with the opportunity to test/review a new toy in the FroliCat line-up, the FroliCat® FOX DEN, I was looking forward to Cody giving it a "go."
ABOUT FroliCat® FOX DEN
The FroliCat® Fox Den is an automated, motion-activated cat
toy that will encourage your cat to play. Simply insert 3 AA batteries, (not included). Choose which
mode to use (you can vary the speed), and place Fox Den on the floor (or if you are daring and want to break your own "house" rules, on a table like we did!!),where the surface is flat.
FEATURES
There is a Fox Tail inside that "hides" and then pops out at random times to entice cats. You can choose from One Time Play mode where the toy will play for 10 minutes then turn off.
Or select Play All Day mode where the toy will play every two hours, three times, for 10 minutes each. (I have never tried this mode, if any of you have, please feel free to leave your thoughts!). In between automatic play sessions, when the toy is idle, the motion sensor on the front of the toy will detect nearby motion (up to within several feet!) and will turn on automatically. If no motion is detected, the toy will rest until the next automatic play session or motion is detected again.
PROS
- Set up is super easy.
- Clear instructions are provided.
- Many cats WILL like this toy.
CONS
IT IS LOUD
I think that is partly why Cody didn't quite know what to make of it. As you can see in the video below, he was intrigued, but somewhat hesitant, I think it is due to the sound.
My suggestion would be that if there is sound involved. Maybe make it a sound that would ATTRACT a cat. Like a chattering type of a sound. If that isn't possible then a button where you could control the volume would be great. The sound irritated me, so I am wondering if Cody found it to be equally irritating.
ARE CATS ATTRACTED TO FOX TAILS?
I know dogs are. But cats? What are your thoughts? When I watched Cody with this toy I was thinking that a fox tail isn't something that I think that cats are inherently attracted to. Yes, they like the swishing movement, etc........but the tail is THICK. Cats tend to like things that are jerky, thinner and are something they feel they could "hunt" and carry away.
Now, don't get me wrong, I think the toy is cute, but Cody was far more attracted to the other FroliCat toys that had a mouse tail and one that had a tiny mouse. That being said, eventually, Cody did begin to warm up to it.
Then, just for fun, I decided to bring it into the living room and see what Dakota's reaction would be. My hope was that he would be attracted to it and that Cody would like it better if Dakota was trying to "catch" it. But...I forgot, he is a DOG, what does he know? Another thought, look at Dakota's tail as he walks away, I think his tail resembles that Fox tail! Maybe that is why Cody wasn't that enthused?
The FroliCat® FOX DEN IS a cute toy. I just think that compared to others in the line it isn't quite as good. Also, my opinion is just that, MY OPINION. All cats are different. Some are attracted to things that others are not. Just because Cody wasn't as enthused as I thought he would be does not mean that your cat(s) will react the same. I am also thinking that a multiple cat household would have a blast with it because they could all hover around it at once.
The concept is super cute but I think the execution could have been improved. The FroliCat® FOX DEN retails for $19.95.
GIVE-AWAY
If you would like the chance to win a FroliCat® FOX DEN of your own, enter on the rafflecopter below. The give-away is open to those 18 and over who reside in either the U.S. or Canada. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
In full disclosure: All opinions are mine. I was sent a FroliCat® FOX DEN in exchange for my always honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation.
It does look like s fun toy. Was it any quieter on the carpet? The tail looks a lot like Max's tail.
ReplyDeleteCheck out Dakota's video at the bottom (it is only 8 seconds) and be sure your volume is up and you can hear for yourself ;)
DeleteI actually think I might like it! I'm one of those kitties who plays paw-paw under the door, so this might be kind of like that.
ReplyDeleteFanks for da giveaway!
ReplyDeleteThat really is a clever toy but that noise is loud-ish. Angel Sammy never really liked noisy toys - Teddy seems oblivious to anything but having FUN so he might love it! Cody looks so adorable trying to figure it all out!
ReplyDeleteLove, Pam
We think Yang and Chimera would probably like it. Yin, Scylla and Socks probably not as they don't like anything noisy.
ReplyDeleteIt's sort of like the dog toys. Fenris loves them but Tuiren never plays with them. It makes Mommy sad, but Tui did LOVE the deer antlers we got as a prize.
Forget my entry. I always hit enter at the end of the line automatically, so all I entered was my name and it won't let me go back in to put in the rest. No big deal.
ReplyDeleteNot necessary to forget your entry because I know you!!! Also, if you are selected I think I have your address and if not, I know where to find you. Not a problem and thanks for letting me know. Good luck!!
DeleteThat is a cute toy and a great review. Not sure if all these here would like it.Their favorite toys are those little tiny play mice.
ReplyDeleteThanks!! I hear you, Cody is the same. That is why he LOVED a couple of the other toys in the Frolicat line, because they had MICE!!!!!
DeleteWhat a great giveaway for someone with a kitty.
ReplyDeleteHave a purrfect day and weekend, Cody. My best to your hard working mom. ♥♥♥
That is cute, but Brother Simon already does something similar with my tail!
ReplyDeleteHappy Friday, don't think I would like this. You can't bat it around.
ReplyDeleteThe people at PetSafe are so nice! They gave me some of their cheese toys where the little mouse head pops out, to bring to PAWS. But that toy also made a lot of noise and terrified the cats. I could clearly hear the unhappy fox in your video. I think I'll take Cody's advice.
ReplyDeletexxoo
Maggie
Yes they are VERY nice!! The cheese toys Cody LOVES!! Anything with mice he loves.
DeleteYay for Cody's courage. Bear gets freaked out by noise - I've gotten him a few mechanical toys and he runs and hides at the noise. I'm kind of curious though about this one. He sometimes surprises me :) Dakota was DEFINITELY a no on this one!
ReplyDeleteyeah, Cody is pretty fearless, but I always say it is because he has had a "cushy" life (lucky boy!) He was adopted at about 10 wks old and before I adopted him he had a foster Mom he lived with that ADORED him. He lived with dogs and other cats before coming here. He is a lucky boy. My Angel Bobo was afraid of soooooooo many things! I had found him on the streets when he was about 6 mos old so I never knew what he had been through. LOL about Dakota!
DeleteI want that thing so bad. My kitty friend would love it!
ReplyDeleteLily & Edward
Hoping you entered!! Good luck if you did!!
DeleteGotta say -- Dakota was just too funny! Yawning and walking away! Love it. Cody looked like he was a little bored by the whole thing. I think you're right - if the tail had been thinner and faster, Cody might have tried to kill it.
ReplyDeletelol!!! Yep I agree. Cody LOVES their other toys that have the mouse and one has a thin tail......I think this one is too thick and too loud
DeleteThis would make Angel and Chuck run for the hills! Good review, from both Cody and Dakota.
ReplyDeleteWe can see how some cats would like this toy while others would be afraid of the sound. We could also see how some kitties might snack on those toy furs, but maybe that's just us.
ReplyDeleteMy cats would love this.
ReplyDeleteThat does look like fun. The video of Cody playing with it is adorable. I will pass on the giveaway because we have the mouse frolicat and I am too lazy to deal with more batteries.
ReplyDeletethank you and I am laughing about the batteries. I am the same. That is another complaint, the toys should come with the first batteries....just sayin'........
DeleteWe think da fox tail is cute. We have a toy mommy calls mr. fuzzy wuzzy cuz it looks much like that there fox tail. It's been a favorite toy with several kitties. It's white, and gets dirty really fast, so we haven't seen mr. fuzzy wuzzy in a while. MOL We thought Cody looked really cute. But we do think it sounds a lot like da other frolicat toys. Pawrently they can't take away da noise. It doesn't seem to bother us. Big hugs
ReplyDeleteLuv ya'
Dezi and Raena
Aww, I loved watching the videos of Cody! He is too cute! I agree about the noise, though. Since I just won your other giveaway, I won't be entering.
ReplyDeleteNow that mes deaf, noise does not bother mes! And mes must say, Cody, darling yous gots the bestest MOVES! Swoon!
ReplyDeleteKisses
nellie
PS mes entered, but stupid Mommy forgotted to put my NAME on the RaffleCopter!!! Wes the 27 22000 Address. Now mes must goes and bites her.....
No worries Nellie!! If you are selected I know how to find you!!!! Good luck!!! Love, Cody
DeleteWhat a pawsome giveaway ! Good luck to our US and Canadian friends ! Purrs
ReplyDeleteWe have one of these to try out too. It looks like fun. We won't be entering the giveaway.
ReplyDeletewhat a comprehensive review! I love that you gave both the pros and cons! Great job
ReplyDeletethanks so much! I hesitated saying anything negative because the people at Petsafe are so kind. But, because Cody's reaction wasn't quite what I expected, and, because I got to thinking about what was the reasoning to choose a fox tail for a cat, I decided to. I think using a cat's paw with a meowing sound would have been more interesting for a cat. That being said, I agree with others who said that kittens would probably love it and, I mentioned, as well as others did, that all cats are different! Thanks so much!
DeleteCody is such a cutie pie. Mudpie has one to review too so we won't enter. I actually haven't even had chance to give it to her yet so I'm anxious to see what she thinks of it.
ReplyDeleteCody is so cute! I can see he is a bit unsure about the big fluffy tail. There are two cats here in our midst that wouldn't mind the noise, and that's Sly Pie and Jimmy. Nice that you include Canadian entries too, so I entered.
ReplyDeleteCody is such a cutie. Like you, a thick fox tail doesn't seem like it would be enticing to a kitty but you never know. Each kitty is different, but I do think it's possible kittens might have fun with it.
ReplyDeleteWe couldn't open any of the videos. But it sounds fun. Pity the give-away is only open to residents of the US and Canada :-(
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry! Wondering why they won't open. As for the give-away I am sorry about that too. I ALWAYS try for world-wide give-aways but I can't do it if the people offering the prize won't. I used to ship prizes myself, but stopped doing that a few years ago because it became much too expensive. :(
DeleteI was wondering about the Fox tail because a fox is not prey to a cat. Maybe they can replace it with a mouse tail.
ReplyDeleteChuck thanks for confirming my thought! Exactly! They DO have one with a mouse tail...I think it is "Pounce"...can't remember but it is one that I reviewed before and that one Cody was completely attracted to, it was also a little noisy but the tail made up for it!
DeleteWe have a toy here that the cats love. It is similar but has a mouse tail that rotates back and forth at random.
DeleteI think that is the one named "Pounce", we have that too and Cody loves it! It is also made by Frolicat :)
DeleteHow cool is this toy !!!! We really enjoyed watching the videos !!!!
ReplyDeleteWe laughed a lot to see the Dakota reaction to see the toy !!!! It is funny !!!!Hehehehehe....
Have a great weekend !!!
A meow of Bilbo and Frida
That looks pretty fun, and we're glad Cody eventually warmed up to it. The sound is like the mouse in the cheese toy by the same company. Some of the cats at the shelter don't mind, while others were like, "Run away!" :)
ReplyDeleteOh Cody!! You are very brave!! Mum isn't sure whether I would run UTB or rip it to shreds!! MOL And as for Dakota! MOLMOL I agree about the sound 100% xxx
ReplyDeleteHere we don't like noisy toys.
ReplyDeleteAnd we like to play with our human and a toy, not alone with a toy.
But we are sure that some cats will love to play with it..
Ronrons
Hisia
Oh wow that looks so much fun!!! MOL MOL XOX
ReplyDeleteLove the review!! Not sure if either of our fur babies would play with that. Every time I buy Tilda something that is battery operated or motion activated she swats at it for a minute or two then looses interest.
ReplyDeleteBell Fur Zoo Mama
thank you!!! Cody is quite similar to Tilda. He does the same thing!
DeleteSamantha and I just wanted to drop by to tell you guys that WE LOVE YOU!!! We read you from our Wordpress reader and we can't comment from there...and obviously our 'likes' don't show up here...so we will try harder to get off our lazy bums in the future to come over here so we can leave comments! �� �� Hugs and licks!!
ReplyDeleteOhhh that makes us SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPY!!!! THANK YOU!!! No, no, no!!! No worries! We know you are busy!!!!! Now that we know that you ARE reading us we are happy!!!!! I had a feeling that it was a WordPress thing because you always visit Dakota!!! WE LOVE YOU ALWAYS, NO WORRIES!!! Don't worry about commenting, now we know you visit! xoxoxo
DeleteMy girls have never liked the motor noises in auto play toys. I wasted money and so did favorite brother. You'd think they would talk to cat owners for input...
ReplyDeleteWe wonder if they test these toys out on cats some times. We see so many cat toys that our human thinks we wouldn't be interested in! Hopefully some cats will think this toy is the cat's meow :)
ReplyDeletethe critters in the cottage xo
oooh, that tail poppin' out looks like FUN!
ReplyDeleteThat might be fun here..and since dog-guy is a terrier maybe he might try his paw at it too! MOL!
ReplyDeletebet kittens would love it :)
ReplyDeleteLooks like great fun! I think my cats would love it. Thanks for doing a giveaway- sure hope I win!
ReplyDeleteDisappointed. I wanted to enter the giveaways but they were over. Do you have any giveaways going on now that haven't ended? I like giveaways.
ReplyDeleteJust curious, do you just like give-aways or do you actually read our blog even if we don't have a give-away going on?
Delete