Laser Pointers - how dangerous are they?

[Kirsten]

As you know, Luna and Lily just LOVE their "kitty light". They're getting crazy when I even mention the word...


Anyway, I used to have one that works like a flashlight, with a little bulb inside. They love it, but the problem is, the batteries are always emptied after a couple of minutes, which is very frustrating for the girls.


So I got them a little laser pointer for Christmas. I heard before you're not supposed to look into the light beam. When it arrived, it had warning labels on the package, saying the same.

But how dangerous are these laser pointers? Is there only a health risk when the beam meets your eye? And does it already do any harm when this happens accidently, for a second or so?

my girls love the laser pointer; actually, they're begging for a playing session at the moment. But is it too risky to use it? Needless to say, I'm very careful with the use, but they are smart girls and already found out the "red spot" is coming from the little object in my hand, so they are looking at it (but the spot is not hitting their face when they do that).

What do you think?

Kirsten

[Kirsten]

Here you can see how much they love their new toy! Even Luna is moving her lazy bones! And Lily is having a blast:








(Pictures are bad quality, but you get the idea...)

Kirsten

[DJFyrewolf36]

i love it... thats y cats are so fun!

[DJFyrewolf36]

The last post was from my hubby, who opened the wrong browser and was logged into my account!!!! Just giving credit to the complement...by the way so long as they aren't actually staring at the beam, *Or running thier heads into walls like my old roomates cats did* I don't think laser pointers are dangerous to cats. If anyone has more info, Id like to know it too!!

BTW great pix

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Aw, hilarious pics, Kirsten!!
I think that the beam is only dangerous when the cats look right into it! My girls both love it too!!!

look at them

[jenluckenbach]

Kirsten, your cats can defy gravity?!? WOW! I am impressed.

I too think it is only when shone directly into the eye that it is dangerous. When I play with it, I turn it off whenever I feel they might run into it. But they enjoy it SO much, I hate to completely stop using it out of fear.

[catnapper]

Wow Kirsten! Is that door made of velcro? She is one acrobatic kitty!

No advice on the lasers, but Pouncer now wants one!

[Laura's Babies]

Mike has brought his over several times for mine to play with and they too, LOVED it. Have any of you noticed the differance in how it'll glow when on white fur and the just be a pinpoint light on dark fur?? Chester will sit up on his hind legs and "catch" it in his paws, the open his paws and it not be there..... the look on his face is PRICELESS!!

That pictures make Lily look like she is stuck on that door.. I busted out laughing when I saw that.

It is snowing in SE Louisiana on Christmas morning!!!

[Kirsten]

LOL, yes, "gravity" and "Lily" are two things that don't really match...


Kirsten

[Kfamr]

I'm wondering, how much was the laser pointer?
I've been wanting to get Kiara one for a while.
Kiara LOVES to chase flashlights, she even likes to carry them around and try to chase the light like that.

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Kfamr

How much was the laser pointer?

Kiara LOVES to chase flashlights,
she even likes to carry them around and
try to chase the light like that.

How Much $$ ??
Some of the chain Pet Shops sell em for about $7 - $10...
You can find them on E-Bay for less than $4 - but after you
pay "shipping & handling" - the actual cost is back up to $10.

Watch for After-Christmas sales at Pet Shops or "Dollar Stores".

Kiara chases the beam while she CARRIES the flashlight!???
Like to see a Video of THAT! :

[Kirsten]

I got this one from ebay and paid 4 Euro, + 2 Euro for shipping; that's about 8 $US in total...

Kirsten

[dukedogsmom]

Those pics are great! Doogie likes chasing the flashlight beam, too. Those cats are very acrobatic.

[Kfamr]

Originally posted by Cinder & Smoke

Kiara chases the beam while she CARRIES the flashlight!???
Like to see a Video of THAT! :

She tries to.
She picks it up, moves it, puts it down, then goes after it.

[RedHedd]

OMG! Look at those Velcro kitties! too funny & cute!