What are you thoughts on the red light pen toys?

Hello, we were given a cat toy by my friend- it's one if those pen lights that shows a red dot and the cats run after it. My Bella went mad for it, running around and rather enjoying it . However , my husband hates them and said he watched a programme that they make cats lose their natural hunting instinct or something. Is that rubbish? Bella seems very un interested in her other toys now and when we finish she miaows and is on edge for about an hour. Any thoughts??

Both of my cats love the laser pointer, but prefer tangible toys or each other instead. I don't think it dulls the hunting instinct at all, though I don't use it very much anymore and never exclusively, since we acquired a second cat. Some cats are naturally more playful and have a stronger hunting drive than some others as a matter of personality differences. Charvone loves to catch all bugs that wander into the house while Sakura would rather play-fight with Charvone or chase toys. Sometimes you can use a laser pointer to engage a cat who does not seem interested in playing. When I used to volunteer at an animal shelter, I and the other volunteers were able to get some of the more shy or sedentary cats to come out of their shell by having them chase the little red dot and from there, transitioned them to playing with other toys.

The key is to use the laser pointer in conjunction with toys that your cat can wrap her paws around or sink her teeth into. You can combine playing with the laser pointer with playing with tangible toys by having the light rest on the toy mice, pingpong balls, jingly balls, scratching posts, etc. You can also give Bella a treat after you're done playing with her so she feels like she still gets to "eat her kill." Lastly, it goes without saying that you should be careful while using the laser pointer so that the light doesn't get into her eyes.

CStS - thank you and what helpful tips there! I will certainly be trying all you suggested - I like the treat tip! Bella gets so obsessed with the light that she loses interest in everything other toy but I will do what you suggested. I can see that it would be great exercise for cats too - especially indoor cats ( not that's something my manic little kitten needs!)

CStS said:

 
The key is to use the laser pointer in conjunction with toys that your cat can wrap her paws around or sink her teeth into. You can combine playing with the laser pointer with playing with tangible toys by having the light rest on the toy mice, pingpong balls, jingly balls, scratching posts, etc. You can also give Bella a treat after you're done playing with her so she feels like she still gets to "eat her kill." Lastly, it goes without saying that you should be careful while using the laser pointer so that the light doesn't get into her eyes.

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This is what I do with my 2.  I usually end the game by tossing a treat or a favorite toy to catch.  Occasionally I'll send the dot down a floor vent.  Noodles has stopped to look in there; but seems to easily accept it as "the one that got away." 

Thanks mooch and Noodles -good idea about the drainage vent. Well I woke up to a dead baby mouse this morning ,so I know she will become a good mouser when older, which is great because we have woods behind the house!!!

When we first got one - our 2 kittens would chase the light all over the house.  It was good exercise for them.  The male 1 year old now will only attack it but won't chase it anymore.  It's like he's outgrown it. Our older cat will only try to get the beam when it's at her feet but never would chase it.  As the kittens are getting older they are more demanding of interaction in their play.

It's rubbish that cats lose their hunting instincts just because you use a laser pointer toy.   I wouldn't use it exclusively - mine prefer the "mouse on a stick" toy because it simulates catching prey, I'd imagine.  But they also love the laser pointer and are fascinated by it - when I turn it off they both look so cute and confused and try to figure out where their "red light buddy" went for a few minutes!

So it's no harm to use the toy.  I'd just use a variety of toys instead of just one, to keep them mentally stimulated.    Just IMHO! 

Happy hunting with your kitties!

My previous cat LOVED him a laser pointer. but now, one of our cats likes to look at where its coming from, so i do not take the risk. 

I also don't get why the experts are so leery of laser pointers.  My cats love it...all I have to do is pick it up and they come running.  And Chai immediately gets into a crouch and starts looking around the floor.  I do make sure to either give them a treat afterwards, or switch to throwing mouse toys for them to chase.  But I wouldn't say they're obsessed, as they play quite happily with their other toys and each other.

But I have to be careful not to pick up the laser pointer for non-play-related purposes!

I am having the same experience as Snufkin; one of my kittens was nuts about the laser pointer but has recently caught on, and now always tries to look at where the light is coming from in my hand. We've had to put it away for now just to be safe.