Is "playing with youtube-videos" ok?

chint

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I just recently heard about why led/laser toys is not recommended due to the fact that cats never get to catch their prey, or feel the under their paws. That 's the case as well with youtube-videos of mice, strhings etc moving across the screen, which the cats try to hunt. I've been showing my cats these videos every day (in addition to us playing interactively together with a fishing rod, her playing on her own with her own toys)... but does it stress her out when she can't catch it? She doesn't seem stressed at all by it, but as I've said we/she's been doing it every day, and maybe it's not that good that much?
 

tabbytom

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I used to use the laser pointer to play with my boy when he was very young, but I've stopped after awhile as he can't really physically catch the laser light and I think he looks frustrated.
I also downloaded a mouse game onto me iPad for him to play. The mouse will move about and when he uses his paw to touch the mouse, it gives off a a squeak and the mouse disappears and another appear till the time runs out. After awhile, he got bored with it.

So laser pointer is totally out and flr the mouse game, well.......I would prefer he played something more physical like chasing his favorite ball or running through his cat tunnel or playing shadow games which is he likes to dash through his cat tunnel when he sees the shadow of me hand on the outside the the cat tunnel and he'll dash in in and attack the shadow. The other game is peekaboo or hide and seek.
 

mrsgreenjeens

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 I think every cat is different.  If they don't  like it, they will NOT play it anymore is my theory.  I have the mouse one loaded on my kindle, and they play it for a little while,then walk away because they lose interest (probably because they can't catch it).  But the next time I open the app, they're all over it for a little while again. 

BTW, on the laser pointer, I hide some treats around, like just under the edge of a rug, and then when I use the pointer, I'll eventually run the pointer to where the treats are hidden so they end up with a "catch"
 

IndyJones

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Weird about the laser pointer. Indy loves playing with it she never seems frustrated or upset. Kabby has it figured out though and just stairs at it.
 

IndyJones

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Plus if you've watched the nature channel you'll know not all hunts result in a kill. I use a stuffed bird mouse (it's a mouse that chirps like a bird when shaken) thing with the laser sometimes usually at the end of play.

Indy is also obsessed with smartphones and keyboards she will swat at typing fingers.
 

kittens mom

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Mine beg to play on the tablet.   Laser pointers are a great way to exercise your cat but your cat will feel more satisfied if you end the play session with a wand toy they can catch .
 
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chint

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I guess you have to make up your own mind about this as a lot of other stuff about cats... there's a lot of different opinions out there. I'm going to stick with that it's ok - as long as she plays with physical toys and interacts with me as well :)
 
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