The nice people at Petmate reached out to us and asked if we would be interested in trying out the line of toys designed by cat expert Jackson Galaxy. You probably know him from his television program on Animal Planet, My Cat From Hell, but he has been observing and explaining cat behavior for a long time. This is his first line of toys for cats, and we were pretty excited to check them out.
Two of the toys in the package were the Mojo Maker – Air Prey and the Mojo Maker – Ground Prey These are both variations on the “cat fishing pole” design you’re probably familiar with. Both of them use telescoping wands rather than long, fixed-length ones, which is great for storage, and also for adapting them for play depending on the size of the area you are in.
The Mojo Maker – Ground Prey has a sturdy wire connecting it to the wand. The head peep liked this because she thought it would survive repeated attacks and wouldn’t break like a string would if we chewed on it. It arrived partially unassembled — the lure wasn’t attached to the little loop at the end of the wire. This didn’t look like a big deal, since the loop is kind of like the end of a safety pin, but she really struggled to get it open to put the lure on, then to close it again. This is probably good because a cat can’t accidentally open it up and then cut or pinch themselves with it, but if you’re gifting it to somebody with arthritis, make sure you help them assemble it so that they can use it.
Once it was put together, we loved chasing it around. Because it’s on a wire, it’s easy to have the little caterpillar-looking thing on the end lie still, then wiggle invitingly. Pierre really liked that. Once he had hold of it, he didn’t want to let go!
The Mojo Maker – Air Prey is a little different. At the end of the telescoping wand is a retractable string with a feather lure on the end. The lure is attached with the same safety-pin end that the Ground Prey version is, but this one came already attached and ready to play. And boy, did we play!
We have a video below showing a little of how much we enjoyed the Mojo Maker – Air Prey.
(If the video doesn’t display above, you can view it directly on YouTube.)
In the video, you can see that Pierre quickly started to figure out that he could use the cat tree for extra height when going after the lure.
The video also showed that Ashton will not play with it as long the boys are occupied with it. She usually plays with toys when no one else (especially the boys) are around, and she got some serious pouncing in on the Mojo Maker – Air Prey later, when they were not keeping it to themselves.
We also got a Twisted Kicker to try out. This is made of a velvet-type material and must be stuffed with some premium catnip, because we couldn’t resist grabbing, kicking, and biting it. Newton was so excited that he got it soaked with drool, but that didn’t stop Pierre from trying out his moves on it, too.
The last two toys we got in the package are kind of special. They’re called Natural Playtime.
Even though we never seem to touch them when any humans are looking, they seem move around at night, every night, on their own. Of course, this is because we love to play with them on our own at night. We can’t explain why we don’t play with them during the day — or while the camera is around — but they are in a new location every day, so they are fun, but we don’t like to be caught having fun with them.
In case you can’t tell, we give the Jackson Galaxy Petmate collection toys our high paws of approval!
FTC Disclosure: We received the Jackson Galaxy Petmate toys for free as part of our agreement to run this review and giveaway. It didn’t influence what we say or our opinions. All opinions expressed on this site are our own.
Summer says
Wow! I bet I would LOVE these toys! I AM a kitten, after all!
Traveling Cats says
Your cats seem to be really enjoying the toys. Wonderful.
The Florida Furkids says
OMC we would LOVE those!!
The Florida Furkids
The Island Cats says
We also did a review of these new toys…it was fun seeing you guys review a different selection. Pierre that was quite the leap!!
Hannah and Lucy says
If we win this toy could it be sent to Tabby’s Place for the cats there please.
Luv Hannah and Lucy xx xx
Laila and Minchie says
Awesome toys! Would love to add them to our toy box!
Melissa & Truffles says
Those toys look pawsome…we would love to try them out!
Kitty Cat Chronicles says
Those toys look pawesome! Great review, guys!
madi and mom says
OH I LOVE that mojo maker. Jackson would be very proud of how your human is handling it and swinging it with gusto. Great action shots and video
hugs madi your bfff
shelby says
Thanks so much for the chance! My boys LOVE toys, and I know they’d have a ton of fun with these ๐
Random Felines says
what fun….great review! we have some of those toys that mysteriously move at night too ๐
Maxwell, Faraday & Allie says
Those toys look aMEOWzing! We hadta laff at the whole mysterious movement thing. We do that in our home too. Drives the humans nuts.
Fur Everywhere says
Those look like really fun toys! We’d love to win a pack of them ourselves ๐
Jackson, Hershey, Bear & Princess Fiona says
Maybe Princess would play with one of these, she is a picky about her toys.
Angel AbbyGrace says
Those are pawsome! Wow that was a superb video and Pierre you did use the condo for leverage! We were glad Ashton got some good whaps in too!
shanna says
Sooo cute!!! Thanks for the opportunity
Kjelle Bus aka Charlie Rascal says
Looks like PAWsome toyยดs !
We watch Jackson on Animal Planet over here in Sweden ๐
Sure hope his toyยดs will make it to Sweden too !
XOXO
Susan and the gang from Life with Dogs and Cats says
Oh, those toys look kitty cat pawsome! My four would love them.
Purrs (and wags) from Life with Dogs and Cats
Mark's Mews says
Wow, those sure look like GREAT toys! We would LOVE ta try them out.
Mona J. says
Kuskaq, our cat, would LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this!!! ๐
Cathy Keisha says
It looks like he ripped off the Natural Toy Co. wand toy right down to the hook and feather. That ball does look like something Iโd play with.
Veronica Bohan says
I would be lost without my kitties!
Alejandra Corbella says
the toys are so cute, i wish i could win
Fraidy Cats! says
yoW! the Mojo-Maker toys look totally pawsome! our mom likes the wand toys with wire instead of strings cause we always just attack the string and try to chew the toy free, mol. Loved your action movie ๐ Thanks for the review and give away!
Pip, Smidgen, Minnie, Hollie
Raven says
You all had a great time with your new toys!
Jeanine says
I’d love to do a review on these toys. Or maybe I should say “Meow, mrow mrow, meow!” which in Catese means I’d love to do a review on these toys!
Heather B says
Can’t wait to try these out!
Judie C says
I know some cats who need new toys.
Connie says
that was pretty impressive Pierre!
Karen B says
With four cats they all have their favourite toys but there are two who love their feathers. I’m sure it would keep them busy.
Carolsue says
My cat would be super-duper thrilled to win any of these prizes! He loves his toys!
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Linda Szymoniak says
We have five Treeing Walker Coonhounds and three cats – all rescues. We can never have too many toys for the furbabies. My three cats would LOVE these.
Deztinee High says
Oh Wow what a cool give away. And what a cute posty.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Raine says
Thank you for the wonderful chance, there are 5 of us and my brothers are really rough on toys because they’re so big being Maine Coon mixes. My sister and I would love to give them a try.
Savannah's Paw Tracks says
What a great review and give away. Cross paws maybe one day they will ask us….and double crossed paws I win ! Paw pats, Savvy
Arielle says
These look like great toys! One of my cats DESTROYS every toy she gets her paws on, and these look to be very durable.
Timmy Tomcat says
We would love love love to win
Purrs
Susan P. says
My kitty boys would love to play with these. Now that they are 1 yr old they won’t tear them apart!
PriscillaA says
We foster many feral kittens and one of the Mama’s just had 3. Many of our toys are wore out and we sure could use some new ones! We currently have 2 boys and 2 girls we’re socializing in the house and toys are a great way to help!
Glogirly and Katie says
Whoa! You guys are catching some major air!!!
Pawsome!!!
Mary W says
Awesome photos. Makes me want to play with such terrific toys!
Kitties Blue says
The photos and video are terrific, and we can tell that these are super fun toys. We are going to enter the drawing, but doubt we have any chance of winning. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Patricia Caradonna says
The Natural playtime toys look interesting. Sometimes it takes my cat days before he plays with a new toy.
Missy says
My cat would love this! She amazes me, at 8 years old she still loves to play.
Lisa F. says
I love Jackson Galaxy and would love to have this book. Thanks for the opportunity!