Cats and Laser Pointers: The Pros and Cons

Laser pointers for cats

Laser pointers are a popular addition to the feline home; the laser mimics an insect or animal on the move, which stimulates the cat’s predatory response to stalk and chase the target.

Cats in the wild spend a large chunk of their day hunting. Domestic cats have the luxury of food on call, but those wild instincts remain. Inactivity can lead to boredom and obesity, which is linked to many health risks. Interactive play is a great way to provide both physical exercise as well as mental stimulation for our cats. This is especially important for indoor-only cats.

Laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation, and emit a narrow beam of light. They have a wide range of uses from barcode scanners, whiteboard pointers to medical equipment.

Laser pointers have been in the news in recent years with people pointing high-powered lasers at planes which can incapacitate pilots and put the lives of hundreds of people at risk. One pilot received significant eye damage due to a burned retina when a military-grade laser was shone in his eye during a landing at Heathrow airport in London. What actually leads a person to engage in such a stupid and dangerous act is beyond me.

Pros and cons of laser toys

Play therapy is so important for cats, and we highly recommend pet owners find at least ten minutes a day for interactive play, preferably at the same time.

Pros

• Laser pointers stimulate the cat’s predatory response of stalk and pounce without a poor animal losing its life.
• Provides a great opportunity to exercise, burn up energy and help keep the cat’s weight within a healthy range.
• Play is important for kittens to hone their coordination skills and maintain fitness in adult cats.

Cons

• The cat’s natural hunting cycle is > stalk >pounce > kill > eat. Laser pointers don’t provide the opportunity to catch and kill the target which can frustrate the cat.
• Can permanently damage the retina, at the back of the eye if the cat stares at it for too long.

How to play with a laser pointer and not frustrate the cat

To avoid frustrating the cat, use a laser pointer with toy mice.

• Move the laser along the floor as you normally would, but pause on the toy.
• Allow the cat to pounce on the mouse and move the laser away.
• Finish the game by letting the cat kill the mouse, and reward with a meal or a treat.

Alternatively, use a clicker in conjunction with the laser pointer. When the cat ‘catches’ the light, provide a treat.

Laser pointer safety

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies lasers, the higher the number, the more powerful the laser. Across the Atlantic, the United Kingdom government also have their own classes standards, which are different from the FDA ones. As a guide, stick to classes one and two.

• Green is more easily absorbed by the retina than red, so it requires less exposure to cause damage to the eye. Avoid green lasers, especially those imported from countries outside the US, which can exceed safety limits.
• Stick to the floor, don’t point lasers on walls which can result in the cat jumping up and potentially causing an injury (rare but possible).
• Stick to buying from a trustworthy physical store and avoid the Internet where incorrectly labelled lasers are common.
• Put the laser safely away when not in use, and keep it away from children.
• Don’t point the laser directly into the eye of an animal or person.

Alternatives to laser pointers

Wand toys offer a similar play style of stalk, pounce and kill, therefore providing the opportunity for the cat to kill its target; the owner can then give a treat or a meal, which completes the entire cycle.