FAQ

Our pyramid toys are stuffed with upcycled fabric scraps that you can easily remove and re-stuff with any texture your cat prefers, such as strips from their favourite blanket, pillow stuffing or an old t-shirt that smells like you. Some cats love little bells in their toys, others prefer the crinkle of a plastic bag or paper, and there are those who only play with silent toys.

You can add catnip or its alternatives, such as silver vine, honeysuckle or valerian, directly to the toy. With our resealable pyramids, you can easily replace stale catnip with a fresh batch to keep your cat interested for longer.

How you decide to fill your cat’s pyramid toy is entirely up to you and what your cat prefers. The possibilities are endless.

Watch our easy instruction shorts for more handy tips, such as how to add catnip and other textures to the toys as well as other fun ideas like creating an unboxing experience for your cat.

Before giving the toy to your cat to play with, please follow our tips below to ensure you give your kitty the best sensory experience. Our toys are not intended to be given to a cat straight from the packaging.

Before use, we recommend that you wash the pyramid toy along with your cat’s favourite blanket. A new toy can smell foreign, and some cats will refuse to play with it until it smells more familiar.

The process of toy-making is often overseen by our little black cat, and even though we take thorough care to keep cat hairs off, your cat will still be able to smell a hint of Jellybean. This can easily be remedied by washing the toy before handing it to your cat.

Cats are territorial and feel comfortable in environments that smell like them, which is why they constantly rub their faces against furniture or their favourite humans. This process is known as scent soaking. Any new toy smells foreign to them and some cats may even refuse to play with them until they smell more like “home”. Your cat’s bed, blanket, litter box, scratcher and any porous items throughout your home, hold your cat’s scent.

• Remove the stuffing before washing. If you intend to use a different stuffing, please discard it in a safe manner. We don’t recommend that you wash the pyramid toy with the stuffing, as this can cause fabric debris to fall out of the toy and clog your washing machine.
• For machine wash: Use the hand wash setting, and use as little detergent as possible. Please do not dry clean.
• Use the normal detergent that you use to wash your cat’s bedding.
• Avoid using harsh chemicals, because not only are they life-threatening, but they also remove your cat’s scent and confuse their senses.
• Cleaning products containing the following ingredients are toxic to cats and are best avoided: d’Limonene, alcohol, bleach, hydrogen peroxide, and chemical compounds that contain the word “phenol.”
• Tumble dry on a medium heat setting.
• Washing and tumble drying the toys too often may cause the fabric to deteriorate over a long period of time and lose its colour and shape. This can make it easier for stuffing to fall out as your cat plays.
• Ironing is recommended on a medium setting.
• Dark colours should only be washed with similar-coloured fabrics, and the same goes for lighter colours. Although extra care is taken to ensure the colour-fastness of the fabric, some colour running may still occur, due to factors out of our control.
• Ironing is only recommended on a medium setting.

• Our pyramid toys are designed for cats to play with and can withstand a lot of clawing, chewing and kicking. They can last for well over a year if you follow the use and care guidelines. The durability of your cat’s toy is also influenced by how aggressively they play with it. Please keep in mind that some cats destroy their toys at a rapid rate, while others are much more casual.
• Daily washing is not necessary unless the toy becomes soiled. To keep the toy smelling like your cat, and to prolong its longevity, we recommend washing it only once a week. To remove debris and hair, you can use a lint roller on a daily basis.
• We do not offer a repair service. It is impossible for us to replace ripped seams or fabric tears without damaging the shape and size of the toy. Once a toy has been torn, we recommend replacing it with a new one.
• To further prolong the longevity of your toy, schedule playtimes with your cat, instead of leaving them out all day. Play sessions are also more likely to keep your cat interested in their toys.
• Please keep out of reach of children and other pets.
• Before playtime, inspect the products for rips or tears. Damaged toys can become a choking hazard and should be safely discarded or recycled.

• Our pyramid toys come with their own sensory unboxing experience. The paper curls in the bubble packaging are intended not only to ensure added safety for the delivery of your toy, but also to offer a fun sensory experience for your feline companion.
• Although paper is harmless, please supervise your kitty while they play. If your cat is prone to chewing paper, or if you are concerned about the paper curls, please remove them beforehand and replace them with items you feel more comfortable with.
• If you want to level up the unboxing experience, you can watch our DIY Unboxing short for a cute and inexpensive idea to engage your kitty’s senses.
• Please don’t leave your cat unsupervised, although much care has been taken to ensure our products are safe, accidents can still happen.
• Do send us your videos and photos of your cat enjoying their “unboxing” and tag us on social media. We love to see happy catstomers! @phoebemoondream #phoebemoondream

Some cats do not like catnip because the catnip response is hereditary. Your kitty might not have the “catnip gene” and almost 1/3 of cats lack this gene. Kittens younger than 3 months don’t respond to catnip yet, and might even show a dislike to it. But those who have the gene will start to respond to catnip at about 6 months old. Keep in mind that some elderly cats may not show much of a response as well.

You can try any of these alternatives if your kitty doesn’t care much for catnip: Honeysuckle, Silver Vine, and Valerian. Get more information from your vet or your nearest vet store.

Catnip can be susceptible to mould growth if it is not stored properly, especially if it’s left inside a toy for long periods. Here are some steps you can take to prevent catnip mould in your cat’s toy:

• Use fresh catnip: Catnip loses its potency over time and goes stale.
• Moisture is one of the primary reasons for mould growth. Ensure you store the toy in a dry place and not in a damp or humid area.
• If the toy is soiled, clean it regularly and make sure it is completely dry before adding fresh catnip.
• Store your catnip in airtight containers to keep it fresh for up to a year.
• Regularly check the toy for any signs of mould growth. If you notice any, discard the toy and replace it with a new one.

By following these steps, you can help to prevent catnip mould in your cat’s toy and keep your furry friend happy and healthy.

Phoebe Moon Dream is a legacy project in honour of Phoebe, who was the owner’s best friend for 20 years. The fabric colours are chosen to match the calico colours of Phoebe’s fur: cream, burnt orange and black. These colours have become our brand identity, and by using a combination of these colours a little bit of Phoebe still lives on.

Phoebe was primarily white, with black and dark orange patches woven in between, but her love for sleeping in a sunny spot, over the course of 20 years, turned the white into a warm cream hue. She was the embodiment of a beautiful autumn afternoon, and we want to share this mood of calm, cosy happiness through our products.

On special occasions, we may release a limited edition product line with specific colours for that occasion. These colours will still be able to complement our brand identity, to keep that unique Phoebe aesthetic.

Due to factors beyond our control, there might be slight colour variations. We source our fabrics from local fabric stores and if a certain colour or fabric becomes unavailable we are forced to use a different batch either from a different factory or store.

We take the necessary steps to ensure we keep the fabric and colours similar to our brand identity and therefore allow room for slight variations. The colours are always based on Phoebe’s calico coat colouring and we use a variation thereof in our branding and products.

• We use durable, high-quality twill fabrics. 100% cotton in the colours we use is subject to availability, which is why we use a variety in the twill range.
• We use the following twill fabrics: 100% Cotton twill, T/C twill (which is a polyester/cotton blend of which is 35% cotton and 65% polyester), Conlyn tabling weave (50% cotton and 50% polyester blend), and 100% cotton bull denim. For more information on twill fabrics please visit: https://apparelscience.com/understanding-twill-fabric-properties-characteristics-and-use/
• We use Seralon thread, due to its durability. For more information on the thread we use please visit: https://creativenotions.co.za/seralon-sewing-machine-threads/
• Stuffing is made from various scraps of upcycled fabric, from different sources that are impossible to trace. If your cat has a specific allergy or intolerance to certain fabrics, please get in touch so we can make provisions to provide a more suited option for them.
• Due to many allergies and intolerances, we do not offer herbs (catnip, valerian or silver vine for example) along with our toys.
• Woven cotton cords are used for the tea bags.
• Our labels are printed on 100% satin, using a colour foil heating method by the printer and transferred directly onto the label material. For more information on the printing process, please contact: https://wunderlabel.co.za/
• If your cat is allergic to any of the materials we use, please let us know beforehand so we can make proper provisions to ensure your kitty can also have the best sensory experience when “unboxing” their new toys.

• To reduce the amount of fabric waste in landfills, we opt to upcycle (usable) fabric for our stuffing.
• Fabric stuffing is gentler on cat teeth than polyester-type stuffing. Some cats can be put off by the texture of polyester stuffing as they bite into toys.
• Fabric is more porous and allows for more scent soaking
• By reducing the cost of using expensive stuffing, we are able to use higher-quality fabrics to ensure your cats get the maximum amount of use out of our toys.
• Each product is made by hand and checked for defects. Defective products are upcycled to be used as stuffing.

Some cats play rough and their toys don’t last very long, while others keep the same toys for years on end. Therefore we do not offer a warranty on our products.

If you are unsatisfied with the product, please get in touch so we can determine the problem and resolve it for you.

We don’t accept refunds, with a few exceptions. To learn more about refunds, please read our returns policy.

• Cats can be finicky, and while some are enthusiastic when it comes to playing with new toys, others may need more time to get used to the new toy.
• Show your cat that their new toy is fun to play with, by initiating play.
• Filling your cat’s toy with scraps of fabric that they are already used to or their favourite herbs can help them warm up to the new toy.
• Rewarding play with snacks can also get a shy kitty to play with their new toy.
• If your cat plays enthusiastically for a couple of weeks and then ignores the toy despite your best efforts, it could be that the herbs have gone stale and need to be replaced.
• Some cats are natural dynamos who love to play and get lots of attention, and others prefer to watch from a distance as you play. Just because your cat isn’t jumping for joy every time you throw them their toy, doesn’t mean they’re not enjoying spending some time with you. Cats are curious and can sit for hours staring at something that they find fascinating. If you pretend to play with a soft toy by rolling it across the floor or bed, they will follow it enthusiastically with their eyes.
• Make playtime a daily ritual to get your cat used to fun family time with their favourite toys. It also keeps them active and burns off some excess energy, resulting in a more relaxed state of mind. Playing with your cat is not only beneficial to them, but it also helps their human parents destress and focus on what matters to them: enjoying a moment with their precious little kitty.

• Our toys are made for cats only and are not suitable for dogs, reptiles, birds or rodents.
• Dogs love to chew on toys, and our toys may not be as satisfying for them.
• Ingesting large amounts of fabric can also be detrimental to your dog/rodent/reptile or bird’s health.

Unfortunately we do not. The only customisation we consider is if your cat has a health condition that prohibits them from coming in touch with the materials we use to make our toys. Special procedures are done for these rare cases.

• Phoebe Moon Dream is a one-woman-owned small business, and therefore it’s not easy to give loads of free toys away. Most of our giveaways are to feral organisations, to help them make a difference in the lives of homeless cats.
• We do have occasional promotions with exclusive discounts for you to take part in and for that, you can subscribe to our mailing list: https://gmail.us20.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=6726ef1817c1299658fa1b395&id=f5a55adc61
• We would love to see you tag us in your social media accounts, showing off your kitties: @phoebemoondream #phoebemoondream 

We only support feral/stray feline organisations that are registered as NPC or NPO.

Phoebe Moon Dream was created as a legacy for Phoebe, who was feral-born, which is why these organisations are close to our hearts.

Not only do we send proceeds of each pyramid toy sold to these feral organisations, but we also provide services such as photography, illustration and graphic design to those of them who request it. We also donate toys to them to sell at their auctions and fundraisers.

Although we wish we could support all the feral organisations in South Africa, what we are able to donate is limited. To make an actual difference in feral cats’ lives, we would rather give larger amounts of proceeds to a smaller number of organisations, instead of a few pennies that don’t help at all.

We support the following South African feral cat organisations in Gauteng:

• Edenvale Ferals NPO 283-532
• Friends of Ferals NPO 202-559
• Harties Feral Cat Rescue NPC 2017/529508/08