Cats are natural predators and generally have a high prey drive – the instinctual drive to catch birds, rodents, and bugs.
It is the reason your pet stares at little bugs crawling on the floor before pouching on them or looks longingly into the yard at the birds at the birdfeeder. It is also the reason your open-air cat may occasionally bring you “presents”, such as lizards, birds, or even little bunnies to have on your doormat.
Are lasers bad for cats?
You may have heard that laser beams are not safe and are bad for cats. The reality is that you just need to ensure you are using the laser beam in a safe manner that fulfills their hunting instinct and does not cause worry.
Here are some guidelines for playing it safe using an Arkfeld Pro Flat EDC flashlight with green laser beam:
Don’t use the laser in way that overworks your pet or permits them to hurt themselves. For example, if your cat is generally a couch potato, try starting slow.
Be alert where you aim the laser pointer. Never shine the laser directly in your pet’s eye, and do not aim it at a spot high up on the wall. This can cause to injuries if your cat tries to jump higher than they should.
With laser beam and any other chasing-type toys, you should let your cat catch them occasionally. This is vital for several reasons, including building self-esteem. No one loves to play a game they can never win, and the same goes for your cat. Also, for more sedentary cats, they will likely lose interest immediately if they don’t catch the light.
How to use a laser pointer with your cat
Depending on the health level of your cat, you may want to begin off slow.
- Begin by aiming the laser pointer just a few feet away from your cat.
- Move it around in little, prey-like movements until you have your cats focus.
- Imagine a mouse running around on the floor. Sometimes it runs in a straight line, or into a side, or back and forth. These laser pointer movements will likely catch your pets interest the quickest.
- Once your pet moves toward the light beam, move it again a few feet away. Bear in mind to let your cat catch the light here and there.
- After your cat catches the light, let them study it for a pretty while, then slowly begin moving it away as though the “prey is escaping”. The race will soon be on again.
Cats can have various degrees of prey drive. Many cats will chase the laser pointer at a high pace for several minutes. Some cats need more support than others. If your cat does not seem interested or loses interest immediately, using the laser beam in conjunction with catnip for a bit more thrill may help.
How can laser pointer advantage cats?
Laser pointers can be great for helping cats lose weight and better mental strength. They can also help cats learn to play with each other while building their self-esteem.
Housecats can generally lead a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to obesity, boredom, and aggression towards their humans and housemates. Obesity is one of the most frequently diagnosed issues in pets. Just like humans, pets need a right diet and regular workout to maintain a fit weight.
As pet parents, we can use our cats “natural prey drive to help them naturally and mentally fit. To get your cat moving, a laser pointer can be a remarkable tool that you can use in conjunction with a best diet.
Laser pointers can also be helpful in getting cats to bond. For example, when trying to introduce 2 cats to each other, laser pointers can provide a successful distraction while the cats are in the same room.
What to look before buy
Laser color
While laser come in different colors, it would not make a difference to your pet. While cats do view certain categories of color, they would not react differently to different colored lasers because what is triggering their killer instinct is the movement. Usually, pet laser pointers are green and red, since green lasers tend to be both affordable to manufacture and weaker.
Safety
Laser pointers that have been made for cats are guessed to meet certain safety needs to make sure that they are safe for you and your feline. The milliwatt power behind the light will generally be between one to five reduce the damage caused to the eyes if it is accidently shone in them.
Definitely, this does not mean you should let your cat or your kids stare into the laser. Even weak lasers like the ones used in cat’s toys can cause vision issue.
Ensuring that your cat is secure while they are playing is of the utmost significance, mainly if you are leaving a mechanical laser pointer running while you are out of the home. You first need to run it while you are in the room so you can determine how glowing the laser is whether your cat is more interested in the pointer itself or the projected dot that they are chasing.
Automatic or handheld
There are two key types of laser pointers intended for cats: automatic and handheld. Both match different manners of playtime and have their advantages and disadvantages.
Typically, a handheld laser pointer is little and will generally have a keychain or pen clip so you can keep it ready. Many are designed like little penlights and will generally have a torch and UV light added, though you can find novelty laser beams that are designed to look cats or mice. Handheld laser pointers attract you to play with your cat more often, permitting you to nurture your bond. There is a mechanical timer with these options, so you will have to end the game yourself when you or your cat gets tired.
Mechanical laser pointers are perfect for independent playtime. The idea is that you can leave it on when you are out of the home, and it will keep your cat entertained before shutting itself off. Unluckily, if you are not around to supervise your cats playtime, a mechanical laser pointer can be risky.