Introducing the Purrini Playmate! This modular toy lets you build your own cat tunnels and cat trees, with the flexibility to change it as many times as you want to keep things fresh for your kitty.
First Impression of the Purrini Playmate
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Whenever I am introduced to a new product like the Purrini Playmate, I take a lot of time to watch videos, check out the product page on the manufacturer’s website, and more before I say yes to a review. And this one excited me for many reasons:
It was unique
It made a lot of sense for a cat play house or a tunnel system or whatever you wanted it to be
I loved that it was a product that helps cat owners engage with their cats
I loved the endless possibilities that it offered
Purrini Product Review Video
Packaging of the Purrini Playmate
The Purrini Playmate is a really simple product, and so is the packaging. It arrives completely flat-packed in a simple cardboard box, so recycling the packaging is a piece of cake with no wastage. When you unbox it, each panel is laid flat, but that’s where the fun starts.
Assembly Required
The whole idea of the Purrini Playmate is to have fun assembling it yourself in a way that your cat will love. And then later disassembling it and reassembling it in a new way to keep things fresh and interesting. It’s also perfect for families with kids since it’s essentially a toy for children as much as it is for cats – as long as you let the cat enjoy it once built.
The pieces fit together really simply using Velcro. It’s still a solid and strong structure thanks to the stainless-steel frame. Each panel weighs less than 6 oz but can support up to 32 lb. because of that solid frame.
Size of the Purrini Playmate
Each panel measures 11.8” by 11.8”, with triangular pieces also included with each set (also 11.8” along each side), so they’re a reasonable size for a cat to be able to crawl through. As for the total size of the product – that’s up to you. As a modular toy, you can buy as many sets as you want, and build it to be as large as you like, in any shape.
There are currently four sets available:
The Cabin Set contains 18 panels (16 squares and 2 triangles)
The Villa Set contains 42 panels (34 squares and 8 triangles)
The Castle Set contains 66 panels (44 squares and 12 triangles)
The Paradise Set contains 96 panels (76 squares and 20 triangles)
Within each set the squares will have different-shaped cut-outs too, making the designs more interesting and giving your cat more spaces to climb in or peer out of.
Best Benefit of the Purrini Playmate
The main benefit of the Purrini Playmate is how reusable it is. The whole reason for the product being designed was to tackle the issue of cats getting bored of toys. While you can manage that through structured playtime and varying the toys you give your cat, this is a single solution that you can break down and rebuild as many times as you want in all kinds of configurations.
For a toy like this, it’s no good being reusable if it isn’t hard-wearing. However, the stainless steel is solid enough to retain its shape over time, while the felt covering is scratch- and water-resistant, so it won’t get torn up or ruined within a few energetic play sessions.
Pros of the Purrini Playmate
Can be broken down and rebuilt many times
Scratch-resistant and waterproof design
Lightweight but solid enough to support a cat’s weight
Serves as its own storage bin
Cons of the Purrini Playmate
You need to be careful to line up the Velcro sides correctly
Velcro could give way if cats play a little too vigorously
Troubleshooting for the Purrini Playmate
Because the design of the Purrini Playmate is so simple, there shouldn’t be too many things that can go wrong with it. It’s just important to make sure the panels are properly aligned when you Velcro them together.
If you rush it and don’t properly wrap the connector over, or leave it at an angle, you’ll make the connection a lot weaker and it could collapse. It’s unlikely to hurt your kitty since the panels are so lightweight, but it may give them a shock and put them off using it again in the future.
Video of the Purrini Playmate
Ease of Cleaning
The Purrini is a little difficult to clean – especially when it comes to long-haired cat hair. I tried to use the Lilly Brush and also the Pet Wedge, but the hair likes to stick to it pretty well.
I honestly don’t mind the cat hair on it – it is, after all, for the cats – so it’s not going to be a problem for me.
The material is claimed to be “water-proof”, but I think it’s more water resistant than waterproof. My cats have not done anything in it – like pee, poop or vomit – that would allow me to fully test this out. And frankly, I didn’t want to encourage or cause this to try it out.
Safety
The most important thing when using the Purrini Playmate is just to make sure you build a solid structure. It’s lightweight, so building a single-width column that’s too high might encourage your cat to jump for it but it’s likely to topple over.
The panels can support up to 32lb in weight, so if you have two larger cats they may be too heavy for the supports if they both try to climb through it at the same time. Always make sure the joints are securely fastened and properly aligned to give the most solid structure.
Jenny’s Big Take Away
The Purrini Playmate is a very innovative product. The genius behind its creation should be proud of their creation. It is no surprise that their Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign was funded very quickly and that Indiegogo featured it in their favored campaigns.
I am excited about the creations humans will think up for their kitties with this product.
Price
The price for the Purrini Playmate depends on which set you buy. The full retail prices are as follows:
The Cabin Set – $129
The Villa Set – $249
The Castle Set – $349
The Paradise Set – $499
Of course, prices can change.
FAQs
What are the panels made from?
The panels are made from durable eco-friendly felt, with a stainless-steel panel inside. The felt is tough and will stand up to scratching, although it may also collect a lot of cat hair (which could be a good thing, since it gathers it in one place). Because of the stainless-steel interior, the panels are waterproof – it won’t soak through from one side to another so drying is easier.
Is there a warranty for the Purrini Playmate?
The Purrini Playmate has a 1-year warranty. If you need any help then you can email the company via support@purrini.com
What’s the return policy?
If you change your mind about your Purrini Playmate you can return it within 7 days of receiving it, and as long as it is unopened and unused you’ll be given a full refund.
Conclusion
The Purrini Playmate definitely has a lot of potential if your cat likes to explore and climb. It’s a DIY cat tree you can re-build as often as you want, keeping it fresh and fun for your cat. If you introduce some of their favorite toys inside, then they’ll love exploring and working out how to get to them.
We received the Purrini Playmate for review from the manufacturer and also asked that they pay a small review fee. Receiving the free product and the review fee did not influence this honest post.
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Hi, I’m Jenny Dean, creator of Floppycats! Ever since my Aunt got the first Ragdoll cat in our family, I have loved the breed. Inspired by my childhood Ragdoll cat, Rags, I created Floppycats to connect, share and inspire other Ragdoll cat lovers around the world,
