There’s nothing quite like the thrill of a stalk-and-chase to kickstart a cat’s play behavior—and there’s no easier way to do it than with a laser pointer.
Encouraging your cat to play with the zig-zagging red beam can provide needed daily enrichment and exercise. But what is it about that little dot that drives cats wild? And how can you use this go-to cat toy in a way that’s fun and safe?
On the Hunt: Why Cats Like Lasers
Cats are known for hunting small furry creatures, but there’s something about the movement of the decidedly unfurry laser beam that also stimulates a cat’s natural hunting behaviors.
According to Dr. Kristyn Vitale, a cat expert and researcher at Oregon State University, the dot’s erratic movement mimics a prey animal and can engage a cat’s predatory behavior. A laser pointer can easily satisfy a cat’s need to hunt in a way that’s easy for pet parents to use.
Laser Focused: Tips for Playing with Your Cat
Laser pointers made for cats are generally safe, but it’s still a good idea to avoid pointing the beam of light directly at your cat’s eyes. Keep in mind that lasers not designed for cats, such as presentation pointers, have greater reach and can be dangerous if the light hits a cat’s eyes.
Most cats don’t need lessons on how to chase prey, but it helps to give newbie laser cats a chance to figure out how to track this unusual “creature.”
Introduce the beam of light in an area directly in front of your cat, then move it slowly until she locks onto it. Occasionally change the pace of the toy as you play so your cat alternates between a trot and full-tilt run.
You can also introduce obstacles to the game. Use the pointer on the stairs so your cat has to run up and down them, direct the beam a few feet up the wall to encourage your cat to stand on her back legs, and track it over furniture to get her climbing.
Just remember that your cat might get lost in the moment trying to catch the elusive dot, so don’t put her in harm’s way by pointing the laser in areas where she could get hurt.
Preventing Laser Frustration
A cat’s core predatory sequence is to stalk the prey, pursue it, catch it, and finally kill it. Because a laser pointer engages the first steps but doesn’t allow for the important catch-and-kill sequence, playing with one without a satisfying completion might lead to feline frustration.
Vitale suggests ending a laser play session by introducing a physical toy so that your cat can enjoy the payoff of all her stalking and chasing. Pet parents can move the laser beam so that it lands on a toy on a wand, then turn off the pointer and finish the session with wand play. This way, your cat can enjoy the success of her hunt.