Potato and Casserole had a blast.
When I rescued Potato and Casserole at just 6 weeks old, I was only supposed to foster them temporarily.
That plan lasted about a week.
I quickly realized there was no chance I could give them up, and a year and a half later, the two former foster kittens are fully grown, thriving and still packed with seemingly endless energy.
Finding toys capable of keeping two young cats entertained can be a challenge, so when I had the opportunity to test several Whisker City products with them, I was curious to see which ones would actually hold their attention.
Anything that might keep them busy — and possibly save my apartment from their boredom-fueled mischief — was worth trying.
First Up: A Bouncing, Chirping Mystery
The first toy we tested was the Whisker City Spring Swatter Chirping Cat Toy.
Potato and Casserole had never seen anything quite like it, and their initial reaction was cautious curiosity.
They slowly approached the strange new object, apparently trying to figure out exactly what it was supposed to do.
Casserole eventually became brave enough to give it the first smack.
That was when everything changed.
One Swat Was All It Took
As soon as Casserole hit the toy, it started bouncing and making noise.
Both cats were immediately fascinated.
The unpredictable movement and chirping turned what had initially seemed suspicious into something they wanted to investigate over and over again.
Potato became especially interested.
Throughout the day, I repeatedly found him sitting beside it, giving the toy another hit and watching it spring back into motion.
A Toy They Can Use Without Me
One of the biggest advantages of the spring toy is that the cats can entertain themselves with it.
I will sometimes be in another room and suddenly hear chirping in the distance, which usually means one of them has decided it is playtime again.
It is definitely an interactive toy rather than something they simply lie beside.
They have to approach it, hit it and engage with it to get the full effect.
For active or naturally curious cats, that makes it especially entertaining.
Next Came a Ball Track With a Twist
The second product was the Whisker City Ball Track & Scratcher.
Potato and Casserole already owned a similar toy involving balls moving around a track, so I knew that part would probably appeal to them.
What made this version different was the scratcher positioned in the center.
As expected, they immediately began batting the ball around the circular track.
Then I introduced another ingredient: catnip.
Catnip Made the Scratcher More Interesting
The toy came with catnip, which I sprinkled both on top of and underneath the central scratching section.
That quickly encouraged both cats to investigate the middle of the toy as well.
Before long, they were using it in several different ways.
Sometimes they stretch out beside the track and lazily bat the ball around.
Other times, they sit directly on the scratcher while simultaneously playing with the ball.
That versatility has made it a useful addition to their growing toy collection.
The Wand Toy Got an Immediate Reaction
Our final test involved the Whisker City Chirping Mouse Teaser Attachment paired with the brand’s Comfort Handle Teaser Wand.
Potato and Casserole have always been big fans of wand toys.
Their previous one was an old hand-me-down that eventually broke, so I was especially interested to see whether this could become its replacement.
This version offered a little more excitement than their old toy.
It included several elements attached to the string and also made sounds as it moved.
Even the Handle Made a Difference
After attaching the teaser to the separately sold handle, I immediately noticed how comfortable the wand was to hold.
That might seem like a small detail, but anyone who has spent long stretches waving a toy around for energetic kittens knows it matters.
Once I started swinging it, both cats came running.
Potato understood the assignment immediately.
Casserole initially seemed slightly overwhelmed by everything moving and making noise at once, but it did not take long for her to join in.
The Wand Can Stop Mischief Instantly
The wand toy has since become one of the easiest ways to redirect both cats.
No matter what sort of trouble they are getting into, picking up the wand usually brings them running.
They chase it, jump after it and stalk it around the room.
If I stop playing and leave it on the floor, they sometimes pick it up themselves and carry it away, apparently unimpressed by my decision to end the game.
Each Toy Offered Something Different
The three toys ended up appealing to Potato and Casserole in different ways.
The spring swatter works well when they want to entertain themselves.
The ball track combines play with scratching and can keep them occupied even when they are feeling lazy.
The teaser wand creates the most energetic sessions and gives them an excuse to run, jump and chase.
For two young cats with plenty of energy to burn, having several different types of stimulation has been useful.
Potato and Casserole Gave Their Approval
After testing all three products, none ended up ignored in a corner — which is always a risk when buying cat toys.
Instead, Potato and Casserole continue returning to them depending on what kind of play they are in the mood for.
And for me, anything that keeps two energetic rescue cats entertained while giving the furniture a break counts as a success.