The little holes hold the catnip in, so it doesn't just get vacuumed up and my Peggy Lee knew what it was for as soon as it hit the floor! She is to the point with it that she grabs it like a kick toy, now, especially when we get her goin'!! A real furniture saver for winter which is generally a very frustrating time for her. It is more fun for her than the heavy piece of wood wrapped in twine that was in the same place before this scratch pad.