So are laser pointers safe for cats' eyes?
To conclude our discussion about the safety of laser pointers, I would like to mention the following.
Many owners ask whether laser pointers are harmful to cats' eyes. And what will happen if this red ray gets into the cat’s eyes.
We all know that shining a laser into someone's eyes is generally not a good idea. And it doesn’t matter who it will be - cats, dogs, people or other animals.
But as long as the laser power is between 1 and 5 milliwatts (the range of most pet toy lasers), they are pretty safe (but still don't shine it in their eyes!).
And yes, buy a pointer exclusively with a red beam - we talked about this above.
When purchasing this device, please pay attention to the "safe for pets" label or label, as well as the power of the laser pointer. It's always better to be safe than sorry!
Opinion 2
How to reduce laser harm
The main problem that breeders and animal psychologists notice is that the animal’s needs are not being met. The animal’s brain and instincts say that this way he will catch something for lunch. The cat does not always understand that this is a game, even if it enjoys the process.
Some cats still recognize the deception and stop paying any attention to the laser. Other purrs feel stressed and frustrated. Over time, many begin to behave badly. For example, they begin to show aggression and damage things in the apartment. If you begin to notice changes in your pet's behavior from playing with a pointer for the worse, it is better to stop such games.
Or you can give your cat treats after these games. This way he will enjoy the hunt without even catching the laser itself.
How cats see lasers
When your cat is chasing a laser, there is another factor at play, and that aspect is that the object simply looks attractive. It's helpful to have a basic understanding of how your cats' eyes work and how they differ from human eyes.
The retina is one of the main structures of the eye
It consists of two main types of cells: rods and cones. Rods deal with low-light vision and motion detection, while cones help the eye see color.
Human eyes have more cones than rods, which means we see the world with a high vibration. On the other hand, cats have more rods than cones, making them experts at detecting even the smallest movements.
What does this have to do with lasers?
This means that they are quite difficult to ignore. The moment you point the laser dot at your cat, she will catch it in her peripheral vision, and if she hasn't quite figured it out yet, she can't actually eat that red dot (or if she knows she can't, but doesn't care). equal), then that's all she needs to start her predatory cycle.
Laser pointer for a cat: rules for safe play
To keep your cat safe when playing with a laser pointer, you should adhere to the following rules:
- Do not direct the laser beam so that it hits the cat's eyes. A single exposure injures the retina, and repeated exposures lead to loss of vision.
- Do not point the pointer at glossy or mirror surfaces. The reflected beam has the same negative effect as the direct one.
- If you highlight a wall with a red or green dot, an enthusiastic cat will run into it and hurt itself.
- The movements of the beam must be coordinated, otherwise an overexcited hunter will damage the situation.
- These disadvantages can be avoided if you purchase an automatic toy. The device is designed in such a way that the wandering spot is always directed towards the floor. A person may get tired, the hand will twitch and direct the beam in a dangerous direction. An automatic toy has no such disadvantages.
Is a laser pointer suitable for a cat?
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Is a laser pointer suitable for a cat?
How often do we play with our pets, particularly cats? It’s good when there are children in the house - this mischievous and restless audience will definitely not let the family pet get bored. What if the owners are adults? Let's face it: at best, a pet is played with when it is still a kitten. And then everyone plunges into the realm of routine. Meanwhile, scientists claim that most of the most common modern diseases come from a sedentary lifestyle. This also applies to cats. Let's see how an ordinary adult (and even more so an elderly) city cat spends its time. We are afraid that we are in an eternal half-asleep state, with short breaks for meals. Hence obesity and many associated diseases.
Therefore, you should still play with the family pet. Playing with a cat is like going to the gym; during play, the animal uses literally all muscle groups. It develops physically, which means that old age and decrepitude can be postponed for a long time. We are often asked what is the best game to play with a cat. In this regard, our most “advanced” readers recall a laser pointer. Is it suitable as a toy for furry pets? An article from British colleagues could not have come at a better time.
A few words about safety. Play with your cat using a laser pointer? Not a bad idea, but not all products are suitable for this purpose. It is better to purchase a toy pointer in a specialized store, and make sure once again that the product you choose is intended exclusively for cats. Don't accidentally buy a pointer with a high-power beam!
When you visit a pet store and come to the toy department, you will be offered laser pointers in a wide range - different shapes, sizes, with a light beam of different colors. Carefully study the accompanying label and consult with the seller. Remember: using a pointer with a high-power beam will inevitably lead to visual impairment (primarily for your pets and, especially, children). The recommended beam power is no more than 5 milliwatts.
Never point the laser beam into the eyes of people or pets, it is dangerous! Project the beam onto the most ordinary things and objects that are in your pet’s field of vision.
Priority is given to interactive games. What is pet play and what is it for? As noted above, it is necessary to maintain your pet's physical fitness; In addition, the game strengthens that very invisible connecting thread that exists between you. Your friendship and mutual understanding are growing stronger every day!
Therefore, actively involve yourself in the game process, make it exciting. Let the cat understand that you are playing with her, that you are nearby. The worst idea is to buy an expensive automatic toy that shoots rays in different directions. The cat will quickly become confused and leave the game. On the contrary, show active participation, move, encourage!
It should be especially emphasized that laser pointers are not suitable for all animals. It is better not to buy them for pets with behavioral problems, easily excitable, under stress, etc.
Know when to stop. Cats are very interesting animals, and being their owner is a pleasure. They themselves tell the owners what to do. As soon as you feel that the cat has lost interest in chasing the luminous point, do not interfere - she is just tired. Most likely, she will take on an independent appearance and do other things.
Remember that there is no natural "ending" to this game - that is, the "victim" will never be caught, and this hurts the cat's pride. She is a born hunter, and what a disappointment!
Therefore, if you decide to play this game with your pet, try to make it fast, sharp and exciting. Leave the game on time (both of you!). And at the end, treat the cat to something tasty - she deserves it.
Your most important task is to prevent your cat from experiencing a feeling of terrible disappointment from the game. Play can cause serious harm to the mental health of strong cats with developed hunting instincts. Why – we noted above.
Watch your cat carefully during the first play sessions. If she is noticeably irritated or nervous, you should not continue. Return to a bow on a string, a feather on a stick, a mouse and other “good old” toys.
Original post: Are Laser Pointers Good Toys For Cats? Source and photo:
Games with a pointer: harmful or beneficial?
For an active animal, such entertainment is a great way to get rid of excess energy.
If safety rules are properly observed, a laser pointer has practically no disadvantages. Chasing the beam trains reaction speed, attention and agility, and regular exercise keeps the animal in good physical shape. This is especially true for individuals prone to obesity. You can “turn off” your pet’s night mode by playing with it in the evening: a tired cat will sleep peacefully all night and will not bother the owner by running around the apartment. In addition, the pointer will “discharge” and calm an overly violent cat.
The safety of green lasers versus red lasers is a common myth: beams that are too powerful are equally harmful to the retina. However, when choosing a toy for a pet, you should give preference to the first one, since the cat’s eyes react better to green color.
In addition to the standard laser pointer, pet stores sell an automatic toy that allows you to keep your pet occupied while the owner is away. The mechanism generates a beam that moves in different directions and “controls” the cat instead of a person with a flashlight. You can run the device in manual and automatic modes, or set it to a timer. But since the trajectory of the laser beam is unpredictable, it is better to use the toy under the supervision of the owner.
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Video: How big wild cats react to a laser dot
With the advent of laser pointers, many people began to play pranks on their pets. Cats especially often chase the pointer's beam. This toy completely captures the pet’s attention; he follows it around the house, not noticing any obstacles. This is how domestic cats show that they still have predatory instincts. An employee of an organization that rescues and cares for feral cats likes to play with his cat Jack, shooting laser pointer beams around the room. The pet is delighted with the game and chases the red dot everywhere. He decided to check how big wild cats react to a laser beam, whether they are interested in such a game and whether they will even notice this red dot.
The guy waited until dark, took his laser pointer and headed towards the cages where the big cats live: leopards, cheetahs, lynxes, pumas, lions and tigers. The cheetahs were the first to be tested, and they liked such an entertaining game. The cats ran after the laser beam with great pleasure. The video shows cheetahs running after the laser and showing great interest in it. They even stuck their paws out of the cage and tried to reach the point. The lynx also turned out to be interested in the laser beam, and the leopards also liked the game.
When a laser beam ran in a cage with a puma, the animal even got scared and began to run away. The cat alternately showed interest and then jumped away in horror. The tiger generally expressed obvious dissatisfaction and hurried to get away from the annoying red dot. This game clearly seemed uninteresting to him. The adult lion even began to show aggression and rush at the cage. Among all the representatives of big cats there were also completely uninterested individuals; they did not pay any attention to the dot running back and forth.
Most likely, the largest cats are not at all interested in the laser point, because in life they do not pay attention to any small animals. They are large predators, and their animal instinct is designed for large prey. And smaller wild cats will not refuse small prey.
This exciting entertainment - cats playing with a laser beam - also caused condemnation. There is a claim that a laser beam is harmful to a cat's vision and to play you need to buy a special laser pointer with low power. It is believed that green beam light is safer than red. A cat's vision sees the green beam much more clearly, even in daylight. Games are games, but the safety of your pet must be observed.
Is it possible to get physically injured while actively playing with a laser pointer?
This question is very rhetorical and the answer to it largely depends on you
