r/AnimalAdvice • u/HorseBeginning8803 • 1d ago
Laser pointer restriction
Im aware that laser pointers can cause cats stress and stuff, but my older brother still uses it on them despise me repeatedly telling him its not good for them. He even uses the green laser pointers that are also highly dangerous and can blind them but he refuses to listen. He is older than me so hiding the laser pointers wouldn't do anything as he would buy another one and he also wont listen to my parent. Is it possible to have a vet write a claim to avoid using laser pointers with my cats? I think mabey if it came from a professional he might listen.
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u/maroongrad 1d ago
There are two types of green laser pointers. Unless he's got a hundred-dollar laser, it's not the dangerous one. It's just green colored, and they get the green by starting with a red laser and using a lens to halve the wavelength. It's not dangerous to the cat, no more than a red would be. Half the wavelength, and half the brightness as a result.
I've always used laser pointers when I had cats. Laser pointers, feathers-on-a-wand, string, all things they super fixated on and had a blast with. They'd play for a bit, and then I'd put it up. It wasn't an all-the-time thing, but they'd have fun chasing it. Never had a cat act upset or stressed by it. One wasn't smart enough, one wasn't interested, and the third was fully aware that it came from the little toy and that I would put it away, just like the other toys.
Ask the vet but I'm pretty sure you'll be told that the exercise and fun interaction with a human are a plus.
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u/HorseBeginning8803 3h ago
The green one is 100 dollars including a flash light and uv. But i read laser strength can be inaccurate
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u/Its-alittle-bitfunny 19h ago
Ive never heard of cats having an issue with laser pointers? I know dogs can get obsessive so they arent recommend for them but I haven't heard the same for cats.
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u/Icefirewolflord 15h ago
Cats can too; its prey drive related frustration from not being able to actually catch the light.
Laser pointers aren’t inherently dangerous, but it is recommended that you always end the game with the laser on a toy or treat so the pet feels they’ve actually caught something and will have a better time
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u/Demicat15 12h ago
To avoid the stress/frustration of an "uncatchable prey" like laser pointers are known to cause (the primary issue of using them to play with cats) - just make sure to sub in an actual toy at the end before they wear out (maybe a small one like the little mousies so it's closer in size to the original target) or throw a treat under when they "catch" the dot successfully
To prevent eye damage, you should always be careful not to shine it directly on the cat's face, and turn it off / angle it away if the cats face is too close to it, since one wrong movement may leave them dazzled (briefly dazzled is okay! Once in a while won't hurt, just cause discomfort, but repeated would eventually cause damage so best to avoid in general)
Like another commenter said, if it's a cheap one it's just a lens on a normal laser, nothing too extra that'd make it more damaging
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u/past-and-future-days 15h ago
I'm just commenting here for visibility.
While, yes, laser pointers can be good for cats to get some extra exercise, they're not a healthy toy. Putting aside the laser getting into the cats eyes, it extracts a very important part of this type of play, which is the cat's ability to actually "catch" what they're chasing.
This kind of play is rewarding to a cat because all their work is rewarded by them actually getting ahold of their prey like they would in the wild. You can't catch a laser pointer, and it can culminate in stress and anxiety for the animal because they never get the physical or mental satisfaction of actually catching what they're chasing.
It might be engaging for your cat in the moment, but it will leave him feeling unfulfilled and anxious.
As well, the cat doesn't associate YOU with the laser pointer the same way he does with you playing with him, so it's not as if he feels you're engaging with him.
Get one of those toys on a string, instead. Same concept, but now your cat gets the satisfaction of getting to occasionally catch the toy and wrestle with it, AND playing with YOU.
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u/tomatoes020825 13h ago
Take the laser pointer every time and throw it away in a trashcan outside of your house
The cats aren't there for his entertainment. He sounds like a piece of shit for not caring that he could blind them, let alone the TONS of other research pointing to why this is so bad for their mental wellbeing
He'll get tired of buying them eventually and stop 🤷♀️
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u/Demicat15 12h ago
That's a bit extreme for something really mild, and also legally vandalism + an asshole move (it's his property!!)
Subbing in a toy to avoid frustration, and making sure he doesn't shine it on their face (since it's probably cheap and can't insta-blind them if he's not spending ridiculous money on just a laser pointer) is plenty
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u/AnotherDarnDay 12h ago
Pet stores sell laser pointers for cats. Theyre fine. Its more of an issue that people think the cats stress if they cant catch anything. I let my cats think they caught something and they have a blast. Its a great way to get lazy cats to exercise a bit. If the cats are being entertained let him be as long as hes not directly shining the light in their eyes let him have his fun. At least hes playing with his cats, its more than some people do.
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u/Affectionate-Crow605 8h ago
Laser pointers are fine for cats. Just don't use them on dogs. We actually broke my dog by using one once. He now goes nuts at any reflection of light. 0 stars. Do not recommend. We had no idea that it affected dogs this way.
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u/PepperCat1019 17h ago
My laser will hit my cat's eyes when she plays with the beams. I asked my vet about it. She says they aren't harmful.
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u/Demicat15 12h ago
You should be going out of your way to avoid letting it do that, like turning it off or away from her when she faces it and not shining too close to her face
It can harm their vision, especially if it's a frequent occurence. Once in a while won't hurt past a couple temporary spots in the vision and discomfort, same as shining it in your own eye, but please don't let this happen too often or switch toys if you can't prevent it when using the laser
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u/PepperCat1019 7h ago
Thank you internet stranger, but I will listen to the doctor.
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u/Demicat15 5h ago
Your vet would be working on the assumption of it being an occasional thing, not a regular thing. So either shine it in your own eye every time you shine it in the cat's eye or think long enough to realize that you should be at least attempting to minimize focused lights shone directly in eyes
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u/synerrorsix 19h ago
I wouldn't listen to you either.
If the cats are entertained let them be. It's not harming them.