Share your story and tips in the comments below! Krystn is the content writer for Homesalive. She is a passionate pet nutrition enthusiast and has worked in the pet industry for over a decade. Krystn loves to share her passion for animal welfare with others. She loves all animals but is currently channelling some crazy cat lady vibes with her five lovable, but rebellious cats.
I like the idea of having a reward at the end of play. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed. We regularly write about all things relating to cats on our Blog Katzenworld! Like this: Like Loading Don't miss out! Subscribe To Newsletter. Receive top cat news, competitions, tips and more! Give it a try. You can unsubscribe at any time.
July 11, at am Reply. May 7, at pm Reply. Why not meow a comment to fellow readers? Cancel reply. There may be a few cats that become obsessed with laser pointers, and for those it would probably be best to ration their exposure, but for the average moggy, a few minutes of chasing a red dot round the apartment should simply provide some of the mental and physical stimulation that indoor cats, especially, need.
Borns-Weil agrees that the main concern should not be what you're using to exercise your indoor cat, so much as whether you're doing it at all:. I am not advocating letting them outside to be killed by predators or hit by cars, but I do advocate managing their environment as one does any captive wild animal so that they have the opportunity to do what they have evolved to do.
Cats are not — or rather should not be — low-maintenance pets. To keep a cat requires effort and understanding to be able provide a satisfactory life in an indoor context.
I think that laser play can be included in an overall plan of enrichment. Toxoplasmosis , a cat-borne parasite, might kill as many people per year as malaria, because it appears to alter our responses to dangerous situations. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. I remember hearing a talk you gave where you mentioned that you are against using laser pointers as cat toys and that it is best not to bring them into the house.
I want the best for my cats. At the same time, I want to be able to play with them. Please shed light on the subject. Good observation about cat loser pointers! Cats seem to go crazy pointlessly chasing the elusive beam of light. Cat laser pointers and cat laser toys can frustrate kitties, overstimulate them, and, in some cases, cause them to act aggressively toward playmates. Most often, I discourage people from using laser pointers to play with cats.
There are so many other exciting toys to use. Nevertheless, there are situations when laser pointers are the only way cats can be played with. It is either laser play or no play. In addition to being a recreational activity for cats and their people, playing with cats is serious business. Kittens learn important hunting and problem-solving skills , and adult cats fine-tune their predatory prowess. Play teaches cats bite inhibition and helps them develop coordination.
Cats and kittens learn boundaries and social skills while building relationships. Play also helps develop muscles and keeps cats fit and at the top of their game. It is also mentally stimulating. Neurotransmitters, including dopamine, play a very important role as well. During different phases of play, dopamine, associated with award-driven behaviors, is released in the brain.
Although the acts of stalking, ambushing and chasing are intrinsically rewarding, cats need to have the satisfaction of catching prey and feeling their hard-earned prizes beneath their paws. Shining laser beams into eyes — human as well as feline — can cause permanent eye damage. Recent news reports highlight the dangers of lasers pointers aimed at helicopters and airplanes.
Yet the problems with laser pointers are not limited to eyes and aircraft. People typically play with laser pointers for cats in a way that frustrates and teases cats. Laser players usually point and dance the beams randomly on the floors and walls for their cats to chase. Certain of a successful catch, they pounce only to find there is nothing under their paws. The bright red dot disappears, or it lingers on the wall or settles for an instant on a paw.
Cats are left frustrated, without the opportunity to feel the tactile sensation of their hard-earned prey. Felines need to have the satisfaction of the hunt — to catch and feel their prey beneath their paws. Ideal play techniques mimics hunting — but without casualties. In nature, felines do not catch their dinner at every attempt, but they ultimately do succeed. There are many types of lasers on the market—even some that are automated so your kitty can play when you are not at home.
There are plenty of other interactive electronic toys to help get your cat moving, like remote-control mice. Your cat may prefer a teaser toy or wand toy with feathers that you can wave in the air to simulate a bird flying. There are even cat-safe toys that make bubbles for cats to chase!
You may need to try several different types of toys to see what your cat likes best. There is always one toy that gets kitties moving for any budget. Home News Views. Are Laser Pointers Bad for Cats? Published: September 21, Why Do Cats Like Lasers?
Are Lasers Bad for Cats? Start by aiming the laser pointer just a few feet away from your cat. Not all cats like laser pointers; they may just not be that into chasing the light.
Redirection Path.
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