Lasers: Safe or dangerous?

Tonks · 01-30-2010, 02:06 AM

I've heard that the little laser lights you can buy to play with your cat are dangerous and can cause your cat to have seizures. Is that really true, or is it just another myth? Ever since I heard that, I haven't used our laser, and my cats really use to love playing with it.
Does it really cause seizures?

**marie73** · 01-30-2010, 06:11 AM

They're safe, but be careful not to shine the light in their eyes.

I haven't used mine in quite a while. Charlee is too smart and knows it's my hand, so she jumps on my hand when I play with the laser. Cinderella will stare at the walls for a long time after we're done playing, which looked sad. Cleo lost interest. Cali likes to watch it, but got bored with trying to catch it.

I found some batteries for it, so I think I might turn the lights out tomorrow night and see how they react. It's been months.

Most (normal) cats love them.

Mrs. PBJ · 01-30-2010, 10:22 AM

The thing I have heard for cats and dogs.

Is they cant catch it it could cause behavor problems.

They say what to do it shine it on a ball or something and when they catch the ball turn it off. So its like they finally caught it. Works for us. Boss has never stared at the wall or the ball he thinks he caught it. And we play with him everyday with it he goes on to the next toy or lap witch ever he feels.

furryfriends251 · 01-30-2010, 01:00 PM

Mine play with lasers every night. I always end it though with me throwing some toys for them to catch...so they get to catch something.

Bethany · 01-30-2010, 02:07 PM

The risk is to their eyes. If you're worried (I admit I was) you can get a Class II laser instead of a Class III laser. (Class II lasers are weaker, and thus less likely to do any eye damage before the blink reflex kicks in.) Unfortunately this option costs more... for some reason most cheap laser pointers sold for pets are Class III. The main place you find Class II these days is in laser pointers incorporated with computer remotes. Luckily I needed a remote anyway, although I feel a little silly if I get up in front of class and realize the remote is still on the coffee table from playing with the cats...

My cats, at least, seem to be fine with the fact that they can't catch the red dot... they still get a kick out of chasing it.

01-30-2010, 02:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
Tonks Cat Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 137	Lasers: Safe or dangerous? I've heard that the little laser lights you can buy to play with your cat are dangerous and can cause your cat to have seizures. Is that really true, or is it just another myth? Ever since I heard that, I haven't used our laser, and my cats really use to love playing with it. Does it really cause seizures? __________________

01-30-2010, 06:11 AM	#2 (permalink)
marie73 Super Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 26,870	Re: Lasers: Safe or dangerous? They're safe, but be careful not to shine the light in their eyes. I haven't used mine in quite a while. Charlee is too smart and knows it's my hand, so she jumps on my hand when I play with the laser. Cinderella will stare at the walls for a long time after we're done playing, which looked sad. Cleo lost interest. Cali likes to watch it, but got bored with trying to catch it. I found some batteries for it, so I think I might turn the lights out tomorrow night and see how they react. It's been months. Most (normal) cats love them. __________________ Marie, and Always in my heart, my lovely Cinderella, running free at the Bridge. http://www.catforum.com/forum/member...signature2.jpg

01-30-2010, 10:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mrs. PBJ Tom Cat Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 306	Re: Lasers: Safe or dangerous? The thing I have heard for cats and dogs. Is they cant catch it it could cause behavor problems. They say what to do it shine it on a ball or something and when they catch the ball turn it off. So its like they finally caught it. Works for us. Boss has never stared at the wall or the ball he thinks he caught it. And we play with him everyday with it he goes on to the next toy or lap witch ever he feels.

01-30-2010, 01:00 PM	#4 (permalink)
furryfriends251 Cool Cat Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 914	Re: Lasers: Safe or dangerous? Mine play with lasers every night. I always end it though with me throwing some toys for them to catch...so they get to catch something.

01-30-2010, 02:07 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bethany Cat Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,865	Re: Lasers: Safe or dangerous? The risk is to their eyes. If you're worried (I admit I was) you can get a Class II laser instead of a Class III laser. (Class II lasers are weaker, and thus less likely to do any eye damage before the blink reflex kicks in.) Unfortunately this option costs more... for some reason most cheap laser pointers sold for pets are Class III. The main place you find Class II these days is in laser pointers incorporated with computer remotes. Luckily I needed a remote anyway, although I feel a little silly if I get up in front of class and realize the remote is still on the coffee table from playing with the cats... My cats, at least, seem to be fine with the fact that they can't catch the red dot... they still get a kick out of chasing it. __________________

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