What is the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug

The Ripple Rug from SnugglyCat is a one-of-kind activity mat made expressly for cats. This unique contraption is sort of a mashup of a cat tunnel, bed, scratcher, and hidey hole. In appearance, it's rather unassuming: a piece of ruffled up carpeting in a neutral color. That's pretty much it as far as appearances go, but what it may lack in aesthetic appeal it more than makes up for in function.

The Ripple Rug is made up of two separate rugs. The bottom is a simple flat piece that has a non-slip coating. The top consists of several holes, as well as “touch points,” which are used to help attach the top piece to the bottom. What makes this contraption so special is that it is made to be reconfigured, so as to prevent the dreaded cat toy boredom. This is accomplished by moving the top rug and readjusting “touch points” to create new shapes, move around the holes, and expand and condense play areas.

So how can cats play with this interesting toy? Pretty much any way they please. The neat thing about this is that the recycled materials are meant to withstand quite a beating, holding its own as a scratching mat, keeping its shape through a heavy-duty sleep session, and resisting frays and rips after vigorous bouts of gnawing. The material is also incredibly useful for grooming sessions, allowing your kitty to rub, roll, and sharpen, all while picking up any excess loose fur. Because of its ability to be reshaped, you can use it to create all varieties of caves, hills, and tunnels, hide loose toys, and make interesting mazes that can be navigated with a teaser or laser toy.

What Does the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug Do?

Creators of the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug state that this toy will help prevent what they call “Same-Old-Toy-Syndrome,” and really, that makes a lot of sense. Your imagination is truly the limit with this thing, given that it's so easy to change shape and create a basically brand new toy each time. They are also ideal for hiding away other playthings, making each venture into the depths of this play mat a fantastic hide and seek game. Finally, if you've ever attempted to fold towels around your cat, you know that a lot of kitties like to be involved when you're trying to get things arranged, so even the act of reconfiguring the toy will be a game.

Features

• Reconfigurable shape that allows you to create a new layout practically every day
• Touch points that let you reshape your rug and reinforce new tunnels and caves
• Varying hole sizes for different types of play
• Heavy-duty recycled materials with a ribbed needle-punch carpet design
• Anti-fraying, non-raveling edges
  Large size suitable for most cats
• Mold, mildew, flame and stain resistant
• Non-slip backing that is suitable for both carpeting and hard floors
• Safety slits that allow for hole expansion

What are People Saying About the SnugglyCat Ripple Rug?

The Cons

One of the biggest complaints that users had was the softness of the materials. Some users thought that the material was too soft to begin with, while others found that it broke down with regular use. SnugglyCat states that this is due to the polyester materials softening over time – sort of like a well-worn t-shirt – and give instructions on how to re-stiffen the rug. However, some users still consider the softness to be problematic.

Another common complaint is the size of both the rugs and the holes. The average cat, as well as kittens, seem to fit just fine; however, larger breeds seem to have some issues getting in and out of the holes, while other users think that the size of the rug itself is too small for multiple cats to enjoy simultaneously.

Finally, some users found that their cats were just sort of confused by this toy. Given that it doesn't really look like a usual plaything – say, upright like a post – they just don't seem to understand that this is something that is meant to be used by them. Others say that their kitties get the concept, but just aren't all that interested unless there's some sort of incentive – like catnip, or a mouse toy thrown into one of the holes.

The Pros

Although some felines just aren't that fascinated by this toy, others can't seem to get enough of it. Many users claim that their kitties use their Ripple Rug as a sort of toy chest, take long naps in it, play super stealth attack games, and just basically use it as an all-purpose playhouse.

A lot of users find that the adaptability of this toy makes it perfect for their fickle felines. These users regularly change up the mat, noting that the frequent changes help their cats to keep sharp both mentally and physically.

Lastly, users find that this toy has vastly helped keep their homes safe from sharp claws and gnashing little teeth. Because this rug is so durable, and is made to be heavily abused, many users have found that their kitty's clawing and biting habits have been redirected in a positive way.

Conclusion

If you're like me, then you love anything that is multi-purpose, and anything that you can get a little creative with. The SnugglyCat Ripple Rug is something that definitely ticks off those boxes. So should you get one for your fuzzy little pal? If you don't mind doing a bit of upkeep and like changing things up all the time, then this could definitely be a worthwhile investment. If not, you might want to look into some standard cat caves and tunnels instead.