Mary Allen
When it comes to the question of whether laser pointers are suitable as toys for cats, opinions differ greatly. In the following, we list a few aspects that you can use to weigh the pros and cons and make your own decision in the interests of your beloved cat.
Can Laser Pointers Harm Cats?
When playing with the laser pointer, only the cat’s sense of sight is required. Unlike most other cat toys, the senses of smell, touch, and hearing are not used here. However, addressing these senses is also extremely important, especially since it corresponds to the conditions that the cat experiences in the wild.
In principle, preference should be given to all toys and keeping conditions that best imitate the conditions in the cat’s natural living environment. This is the only way for your cat to lead a species-appropriate and therefore happy life.
Because playing with the laser dot does not lead to a sense of achievement or a successful hunt in which the cat can kill its prey at the end of the game, it may experience frustration and may react too quickly as a result. This can be expressed in the fact that the cat cannot switch off after the game and continues to search the floor in a nervous state for the moving red dot.
Are Laser Pointers Dangerous to Cat Eyes?
The bundled laser beam is harmful to the eyes. You should therefore never look directly into the light beam and especially not let your cats look into the bundled light, because their eyes are many times more sensitive than those of humans.
The cat’s eyes are more sensitive, especially since the cat can see well even at night. You should note that the laser pointer can cause damage to the sensitive eye, especially cats, even on reflective surfaces, including reflective floor coverings such as laminate and the like. In the worst case, it can lead to blindness and high costs for the veterinarian.
Only human housemates of the kitty who are very conscious of the use of the laser pointer should have fun with the cat. Otherwise, the danger would be too great that cats or humans risk irreparable eye damage in the worst case.
What are the Advantages of the Laser Pointer for Cats?
If you use the glowing light toy consciously, in a controlled manner, and for a limited period of time, the laser pointer for cats can be an exciting toy that your roommate kitty will have a lot of fun with. However, some cats have no preference for toys with the deceptive hunting experience.
Laser pointers offer playful cats a lot of fun. However, as we have already emphasized, humans must be particularly careful that the laser beam is not aimed either at human or animal eyes, especially since the cat’s eye is significantly more sensitive than that of humans.
Avoid the Frustration of Hunting by Rewarding Them
However, it is important to convey to the cat the sense of achievement of the prey that has been killed. Because the kitty cannot catch the imaginary prey in the form of a laser pointer point, it is a possibility to reward the cat with a treat.
It is also recommended to direct the laser pointer point towards a suitable red object such as a cat pillow towards the end of the hunt, which the cat can then “kill” instead of the laser point so that it can achieve the hunting success it is familiar with from the wild experienced. In addition, this way the cat can release the energy that has been pent up due to the wild hunt.
How Can I Avoid Potential Dangers of the Laser Pointer?
Note that the device should never be used to shine the device directly in the eyes of your beloved roommate. However, the cat usually looks at the ground to find the point and not at the device itself. Nevertheless, caution and careful use of the device is required.
The Right Game with the Laser Pointer
Just start with the pointer just above the floor so that the cat doesn’t mistakenly look at the pointer instead of the red dot on the floor. As soon as the cat has the point in his sights, the owner can make himself comfortable and, for example, keep his beloved roommate kitty happy from the sofa.
On the other hand, exercise is of course not only good for the cat but above all for its human roommate. In this respect, one could take a critical look at the aspect of the laser pointer for cats that it is a convenience product that primarily has human interests in mind. In addition, the experience that the laser pointer offers is far from the prey experiences that cats have in nature.
Are There Also Safe Laser Pointers for Cats?
The laser pointers in the Zooplus range have all been tested and are considered harmless. According to the manufacturer’s instructions, the device does not damage the eye, even if it is hit briefly. The low level of radiation reduces the risk of eye injuries. Nevertheless, the user should always be aware of the basic risk and be very careful when handling the laser pointer. After all, the laser beams consist of strongly focused light.
What Else Should You Watch Out for With Laser Pointers?
On the other hand, you should definitely refrain from buying a laser device from less reputable sellers or from dubious sources, especially from abroad or from auction platforms, because this may not meet the standards and the limit values may be exceeded by up to a hundred times the permissible value.
Laser Pointers and Cats: What are the Alternatives?
A flashlight could have a similar playful appeal to the puss without the risks of the laser. Balls, catfishing, and the like are also fun to play with and, unlike chasing a point of light, the cat here has the sense of achievement of really “killing” the prey with all of its senses – just like in nature. Unfortunately, there is no such sense of achievement when chasing a laser pointer point.
Even with the game fishing or comparable cat toys, the cat experiences the sense of achievement of practically killing the prey. The feeling of reward in the form of “You did that well – you are a skilled hunter!” the cat needs for its mental equilibrium. In addition, it comes closer to the real hunting conditions in nature and, unlike the laser pointer, does not pose any comparable risks to the health of the cat.