I have had one of these for around 4 years now. My cats love it. They slap the ball around over and over. They have even gotten the ball out. I just hear the ball going round and round at warp speed, sometimes all night. Even my oldest cat (12) loves it.

The scratch pad is also the best scratch pad they have ever had. They use it more than any other. I love that the cardboard circle in the middle is replaceable and when it gets too torn up you can just throw another one in.

Sometimes they like catnip in the middle or I put Pounce in the ring.

They will use it with or without the scratchpad in...