Does a cat playing with a laser light cause it any physcological damage?

Question

My husband an I have a three month old cat and just recently we found a laser and started using it for the cat to play with. since the she looks for the light all the time even when we are not playing with it. Is this doing any damage?..

Answer 1

I do not believe that there is any significant psychological damage to a cat chasing after a laser light. However, when I do play with a laser light, I make sure that there is a beginning of the game and an ending to the game. Start by showing your cat the laser pointer. Shine the light onto your palm and catch it. Then use the motion of throwing the light onto the floor (spilling it from your palm onto the floor) to begin the game. The cat will associate this with the beginning. Once you have finish playing, shine the light back into your palm, fold it and tuck it away, signifying the ending of the game. To satisfy your cat, give a small treat as a reward for great sportsmanship. Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Once a week or so is fine but some cats can get addicted to this and become very frustrated since there is nothing for it to catch. The chase instinct is never switched off by a "kill", so to speak. This light chasing may then become a behaviour problem in its own right if the laser is used too often.

They also enjoy practising their hunting skills on toys that dangle off the end of a wand stick where they get to catch their "prey".  It's worth offering her a variety of toys that you can rotate on a regular basis.

Answer 3

Our cats love the laser.  They know perfectly well that it's just a light but still love chasing.  The only danger is if you shine it right at them, it can cause eye damage.  We actually got one for my mother-in-law, who has a hard time moving around but loves to play and interact with her cats, it's good for all of them to interact.

Answer 4

This is a good question.  Many people believe it does cause damage because they can never catch it, it has no scent, and it disappears and reappears seemingly by magic.

I err on the side of safety and do not use these type of item as a toy.

Cats *love* interactive toys, meaning they *know* that *you* are on the other end of the activity.  Pole toys are great for this and it causes them to bond with you, as opposed to the light toys, which they normally do not associate with you.

Good question!

Answer 5

no, it is her mousing instinct.

if a cat looses a mouse in a room, it will keep looking for it.