SmartyKat Hot Pursuit Electronic Concealed Motion Toy

One of the reasons most of us purchase electric toys is to have entertainment for our cats without having to be 100% involved (while still monitoring, of course). This idea was great for this toy, but the execution was poor – because the human has to straighten out the toy every minute (or more often) for it to work properly.

Some reviewers don’t understand how this is supposed to work… so let’s clear that up first. This furry/feather/ribbony end isn’t supposed to peak out from the fabric like other similar toys. Instead, it helps cats with their hunting instinct. It is jointed to stay under the fabric. The hoop within the fabric hem then keeps the circle somewhat taut to make it arch in a few places, so the cat can see the movement above the fabric and gets a peek every so often of a mouse-like shape when viewing it from the side. This concept was right on the mark. I love this concept about the toy… if it only worked with the materials used.

Here is where it goes wrong: 1) Fabric is too light. 2) Wire/filament hoop within hem is not attached properly to form a full circle or becomes detached with very little play.

The shaping provided by the hoop/wire/filament is essential to keeping the mat flat to the floor but raised at a few places for the cat to “peek” at the mouse. When the frame becomes detached, the “mouse wand” continues to become caught on the place where the circle hoop is not connected – making the fabric twist and twist so that the point is lost and the motor unit is often turned upside down due to the tangle or the cat trying to play with it. I have now had two of these toys (initial order and the replacement order because I thought the first was broken as a fluke). You will see in my third picture where there is about a 1-inch gap where the filament has become detached so that there is no longer a full circle. Even a gap this small causes the problem. I have tried and tried to rethread the “wire” to reconnect it, but the hem is so full of thread or the “wire” is at a seam that it will not reconnect and eventually rips through the fabric if you keep trying.

So…. I ordered a replacement. The second arrived with the hoop already disconnected upon arrival. The first and second picture within my review are within one minute of opening the new box. I’m returning both units for a refund. (If I were not already too busy, I would be seriously tempted to just keep one of the motor /machines and make a “fabric and hoop cover” of my own…. because the manufacturers did get so much right on this.)

If the too-light fabric and frame/hoop for the mat were not issues, my cats would love this toy. They DO love it for the seconds that it works properly before I have to reset it and reset it. The “mouse,” the random motion, the lights, being able to peek at the animal… all of these are often missing from other similar toys, so again, these parts were wonderful.

But, I do not want to reset this toy every 20-60 seconds to make it work properly. I would recommend not buying this – as the manufacturers need to resolve the design issues.

Just like reviewer, Kiki O’Brien, I also got the SmartyKat Hot Pursuit toy instead (it spins under a blue cloth on the floor.) But was a simple return with postage paid.

My cat has been through 9 of these and enjoys every last one. I have a bengal tabby mix and she is a killer of her toys. Great toys to keep them busy and entertained. Highly Recommended.

 UPDATE: The company very kindly sent me a new, different new far less noisy product. They explained that the newer units are designed to make a loud noise so that cats will release the wand toy. This prevents the motor from wearing down. I think do they need to go back to the drawing board, but I am changing my review because of their great customer service

UPDATE: I am about to return a defective second unit. Both units make a horrible grating noise that could wake the dead. Our cat won’t play with the new one because the noise frightens him. When Smarty Cat added the lights and more realistic wand toy, they clearly compromised on the quality.

Pros: Except for the tiny skirt, this is a great design improvement upon the original Hot Pursuit toy. The old one just had a little red tube for the cat to chase around. Our cat got quickly bored with it, so I rigged it with a furry wand mouse much like the new and improved model. Our cat just CANNOT get enough of this new Hot Pursuit. He “asks” me to turn it on and plays with it for hours. Highly recommended for easily bored or high energy kitties.

Cons: Smarty Cat lowered the price, and a s a result the quality of the newer design is abysmal. The skirt gets quickly ripped to shreds and the motor wears out in a few weeks. In addition, this new model is a battery eating monster! I have to replace the AA batteries at least once a week. This may be due to the addition of flashing lights. Sadly, I will have to find a similar, but rechargeable toy of better quality. I still have the sturdy old unit from years ago and there is no comparison.

 Compramos, pois passamos o dia fora e queremos que os gatos não fiquem entediados. Eles gostaram bastante.