Laser Pointers - how dangerous are they?

[lisalee]

I sure hope there not dangerous. I just got Sash one for Christmas, it's called Laser Pen from Petco. He doesn't seem as crazy about as Lily and Luna are though. He's showed some interest that's for sure but hasn't climbed the walls yet. I always make sure I don't shine it in his eyes either. Your girls look so cute though playing.

[sirrahbed]

I have never heard that they were dangerous and bought ours at the vets suggestion He said it would give them more exercise than any toy he knew of. I will try to read up more...I do know that we try not to shine it in their faces and I have had it bounce off the mirror into MY eyes and you can't look at it for long!! I would keep enjoying the fun they have and just be cautious about the eyes is all. Too much fun to be had when a little caution will prevent any possible harm

[Cincy'sMom]

What great pictures!! Your cats are great!

The danger I have found with the laser is that Spot is obsessive about it!! After a play session he still wnders around looking for the light. He loves it!! heknows where it come from...but he doesn't care...he wants to chase it anyway, and for about 5 minutes after you put it away, he still walks around the room ready to punce on it!!

[Cinder & Smoke]

Originally posted by Cincy'sMom

... for about 5 minutes after you put it away,
he still walks around the room ready to punce on it!!

Boots da Kat does that too!

The Dawgs WILL chase it for a while...
but start to catch on that DAD has sumpin to do with the
Lil Red Dot and begin to loose interest.

*I* enjoy it while it lasts.
..

[catmandu]

If you look hard,you can get a laser Key Chain,at the Dollar Stores,and they are totally safe!

[Kirsten]

My girls are already addicted to their new laser pointer!! Every morning after breakfast now, they would meow and stare at me, until I bring their new toy out.

Only need to say "kitty light", and they would get totally excited! And as soon as I open the drawer where the laser pointer is stored, Luna would get ready to jump. It's so cute!

Kirsten

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by Kirsten

How do you get the cat to stick to the door like that??

[NoahsMommy]

Great pictures, everyone!

I think its only a concern if they look directly into the beam. Micah always sits and stares at us if we're just holding the laser pointer, so we have to make sure its not pointed at him at all.

[ramanth]

Great pics Kirsten and Lut!

I have a laser pointer but Zam and Logan don't seem very interested in it. They just watch it, but don't attempt to catch.

[mina'smomma]

Mina loves her laser pointer. She drives Lee and I nuts about it.

[lizzielou742]

Maybe it's like the sun - if you look directly into it for too long it's damaging.

I want one now!!!

[krazyaboutkatz]

Mine love it too but I haven't used it in a long time. Storm is so smart that he knew exactly were I kept it and would meow and get very excited when I opened that drawer. I should probably get it out and see if it still works.

Lilly and Luna sure look happy playing with their laser.

[Jods]

I got mine at the dollar store for a dollar... My boyfriend got me a new one for my stocking this year with all sorts of different heads so you can switch and it makes stars and hearts and that it was $2.50... CDN... Not that expensive... It would be priceless to catch Kiara chasing a light

[krazyaboutkatz]

I found mine tonight and it still works. Storm and Sunny love it. Sky and Cirrus aren't quite sure what to do with it.
Mine has five different laser shapes. You can have the normal dot, smiley face, peace sign with the two fingers, heart& arrow, and I heart you. The cats like the regular laser dot the best though.

[hdeneise]

....that Physics degree is finally coming in useful....

The lasers that you can buy commercially are not any danger to your pets. If you held your cat down and shined the laser right in the cats eye for hours, you might burn their eye a little. The way the cats play with the light is you shine it on a wall, plant, etc. and they frantically chase it around the room - the light isn't actually going into the cats eye, its going onto the wall, floor, fishbowl, etc.

Its 100% safe to let the kitties chase laser pointers as long as you aren't directly shining it into the animals eye for long periods of time!!

Get those kitties movin'.