Problem Solving & Advice by Pam Johnson-Bennett Cat Behavior Expert & Best-selling Author
I think many people who use laser toys like it because it gets a guaranteed reaction from the cat but unfortunately it can also cause lots of frustration. If you really take time to understand how cats hunt and how they use ALL of their senses, you’ll come to realize that chasing a red beam of light without ever having the satisfaction of capturing it isn’t a lot of fun.
I always advise my clients to not use those toys for playtime with their cats. Or, if they’re absolutely set in their ways about using it, my recommendation is to start the game with the laser toy and then start shining it on an actual interactive toy so eventually the cat can go after the toy alone. Using this method, the cat parent can start to wean the cat off the laser light as kitty realizes the interactive toy is more rewarding.
Cats Use Their Sense of Touch
Cats are tactile creatures and when they pounce on their prey they rely on being able to feel their captured treasure underneath their paws. Cats have carpal whiskers on the underside of their paws (at the wrist) and they use those whiskers to detect movement of prey when they have their paw over it. Imagine doing a great job of stalking and pouncing and repeatedly NEVER feeling as if you’ve successfully captured your intended target. Putting a paw over a laser light is an exercise in frustration.
Give Your Cat Time to Use His Brain
Additionally, when people use the laser lights with their cats they often move the lights too frantically, causing the cat to stop playing in a natural feline way and begin just randomly bouncing off the walls in an attempt to get the target. Although this frantic, comical behavior is very amusing to watch and also makes cat parents think they’re giving their cats much needed exercise, this isn’t how cats hunt naturally. Cats are sprinters and they don’t hunt by chasing to exhaustion. Because of their smaller lungs, they rely on their stealth to inch closer and closer to their prey. Once they’re within ambush distance, they execute a well-timed pounce. Having your cat racing around until his sides are heaving isn’t beneficial physically or mentally for him.
For playtime to be truly beneficial, it must be both mentally and physically satisfying. If you simply focus on physically keeping your cat active and neglect his need for mental satisfaction and confidence, then you’re doing him a disservice.
In some cases, chasing laser lights can cause cats to develop a fixation with any flickering light and they may end up displaying OCD-type behavior. This warning has been issued by a number of certified behavior professionals and veterinary professionals.
Safety of Laser Light Toys
Although manufacturers may claim the laser lights are safe, I am also concerned about someone accidentally shining the light in the cat’s eyes. Not all laser lights are made well so if you do purchase one you must use caution to not shine the light in the cat’s eyes. During an active play session, it can be hard to control where the light shines so that’s another reason to use regular interactive toys instead of the laser.
Want More Information?
For specific step-by-step techniques on how to conduct fun and effective interactive game with your cat, refer to the best-selling books by Pam Johnson-Bennett. Pam’s books are available at bookstores and online. We’ve included links to Amazon here on our website.
If you have a question about your cat’s behavior or health, contact your veterinarian. This article is not intended as a medical diagnosis nor is it a replacement for your cat’s regular veterinary care. This article is for general information purposes only.
