The little elastic thing lasted about 30 seconds.  Which is what another reviewer said, so I was on the lookout for it.  And then trimmed off the elastic so they didn't ingest it.

When they were kittens they went in the little round hole, but now that they are giant, they really just use it to scratch.  Which is great, but when they scratch the carpeted part it tends to just flake off.  Then you have these little brown furries on your floor.  But for the money it really is worth it.  Would be GREAT for a one cat family.