The Laser Pointer: Unbeatable Foe

Why do I call the Rechargeable Laser Pointer an unbeatable foe? Because it is.

Why do I call theRechargeable Laser Pointeran unbeatable foe? Because it is.

Most cats love to play with the extra fast dot of a laser pointer toy. RJ can hear the jingle of its chain from anywhere in the apartment.

But this great toy does have some cautions attached; though maybe not the kind we might think.

50000mW Gatling Stretch Blue Laser Pointer with 2*18650 Batteries Class IV For Sale

laser cautions
The first worry might be that it is, after all, a laser. We certainly arent getting any evil scientist action, since our rugs and our drapes are not bursting into flame. We can barely feel it on our skin. But can it hurt our cats eyes, or even someone elses?

According to the ever handy Wikipedia, the kinds ofBurning Laser Pointerssold as toys are the weakest kind, with power measured in less than one mW (milliwatt.) For lasers up to 5 mW, a human would sustain damage after deliberately staring at it for at least ten seconds.

50000mW World's Strongest Handheld Laser Pointer Ultra Powerful Bright Blue Beam Light Flashlight

I was reassured.

watch the red dot


While cats eyes are more sensitive to light than ours, this would still leave quite a margin of safety, especially if we are careful to keep the beam aimed down, where the cats gaze would be directed, when the cat is in close quarters with it.

Of course the cat wants to be as close as possible. Part of what drives the cat crazy with the red dot is how the cat can never seem to get the upper hand on this wily prey. RJ got tremendously excited one time when the dot darted into one of my empty slippers. We could see he was certain that, this time, there would be no escape for the dot.

But of course he came up empty. Thats where the real danger of thelaser pointer 5000mwtoy probably lies: frustration.

unbeatable foe


We dont mind watching a movie where the villain keeps getting the better of our main character; as long as our hero or heroine triumphs in the end. If the villain not only escaped, but followed through on their nefarious plans, it would not be the kind of movie we were expecting. In that case, we probably wouldnt show up for Red Dot II: Play the Fool Again.

5 in 1 10mw 532nm Green Laser Pointer Pen with Starry Caps

But our cat would. They will go for the excitement every time; but afterwards, they could have something still driving them, though they dont know what. They arent going to write a negative review, like we might with a poor film. They might redirect that frustration onto things they shouldnt play with, or go looking for something that can succumb to their hunting power, whether it wants to or not.

So if we see our cat is still wound up, and maybe gets into trouble after a rousing red dot game, it is especially important for us to conclude ourBurning Laser Pointersgames with some kind of triumph for our cats.

big finish


It is difficult for the cat to get proper satisfaction from catching the dot; in the first place, they cant, and in the second place, there is no tactile feedback that lets them know they have won.

200mW Red Dot Laser Pointer 650nm Wavelength Pen Style

Thats why we conclude our laser session with RJ by switching to another toy for the finish; something he can actually catch, wrestle, and get some closure from. Just putting thered laser pointeraway in a drawer leaves the cat with a lot of mental energy that hasnt been expended. Its as though that unsatisfying movie suddenly stops abruptly with a power failure.

Its not fair to work the cat up without giving them the satisfaction of a successful hunt. So toss out some sponge balls, switch over to a wand toy, or use a stuffed animal to attack and give up as the successful conclusion to a play session.

loading...