Cats and Lasers

[DON KIDIK]

Hello all,my first post here so be gentle

I have two cats and for years i have had them chase a red laser dot.The laser is a small one about four inchs long bought for a rifle.Laser take 3 x 357a button cells.Says Hawke on it.Other than that ther arent ant markings.Doesnt seem to do the Cats harm,,,,,but will it?

Thanks

DON...

 

[idleprocess]

A low power red laser should be fine so long as you don't shine it directly in their eyes. AG13/357a cells can't put out much current, so it ought be pretty low power.

 

[DON KIDIK]

Thanks for the reply.I thought as much as they dont shy away at all.Also due to the cells being quite small and bought from a pound shop for ten.

Have a goodn

DON

 

[will]

I do the same thing. Be careful not to shine directly in their eyes. It gives the indoor cat some exercise, lots of running back and forth.

 

[wuyeah]

would a single AAA 50mW be consider dangerous?
Since they are fairly inexpensive, when look at price $11 for 30mw and $15 for 50mw....I am thinking if I should spend a little more?

 

[StarHalo]

would a single AAA 50mW be consider dangerous?

The goal is to make a visible dot for kitty to chase, not cut the cat in half. Just get the $5 pointer at your local gas station.

 

[wuyeah]

The goal is to make a visible dot for kitty to chase, not cut the cat in half. Just get the $5 pointer at your local gas station.

thanks. so i should not consider 30mW even.

 

[rustlerdudr987]

No under no circumstance should you get anything over 5mw EVER for a cat toy.

 

[wuyeah]

No under no circumstance should you get anything over 5mw EVER for a cat toy.

Got it guys. Thanks :)
I read a bit more about these lasers. Man, something so dangerous and so easy, inexpensive to obtain today. I don't think many ppl aware of these numbers and what exactly they are buying.

 

[rustlerdudr987]

lets just say i made that mistake a while back and ended up selling it pretty damn quick.

 

[Jpamps]

at my local petsmart I actually found a automated toy laser for cats to play with. The thing looks like a bowling pin.

It essentially has a laser reflect off of a mirror that rotates around and the mirror adjusts angles automatically, moving the laser eratically off of battery power. Great exercise for the indoor kitty without having to do it for hours. Though I wont lie i prefer doing it myself.

http://www.geekologie.com/2009/11/frolicat-bolt-a-laser-lightsho.php

is essentially what it is

 

[fyrstormer]

Interesting. I've never seen a cat that played with a laser for more than a couple minutes total. As soon as they figure out they can't catch it, they lose interest. There are two cat toys I used, both home-made, that are very effective.

One is a ribbon on a stick; you can flutter the ribbon around, whip it back and forth to make a flapping/popping sound, wrap it around the cat's paws when it catches the ribbon, poke the cat with the stick while they fight with it, etc. It's great fun for all involved.

The other is two pre-made gift bows, attached to each other sticky sides together, making a "bow-ball". The loops of ribbon easily catch on the cat's claws, making the bow-ball fly around in unpredictable directions when the cat smacks it around. Much more entertaining than other similar toys.

 

[idleprocess]

Interesting. I've never seen a cat that played with a laser for more than a couple minutes total. As soon as they figure out they can't catch it, they lose interest. There are two cat toys I used, both home-made, that are very effective.

Seems to vary. I've seen the whole gamut from cats that will spaz at the sight of one until exhausted to some that are all but oblivious to it ... my furball shows a bored interest in it but has never so much as lazily pawed at it once or twice.

I agree that the lack of any substance to a laser dot is disinteresting to many cats - it makes no sound, has no solid presence, and isn't real enough for some.

 

[zeramant86]

Anything over 5mw can be harmful to the eyes, it may take prolonged exposure, staring or similar, but it can be harmful. Most of the cheap china crap is way under the stated spec, but better safe than sorry.

If you want a bright pointer, I'd recommend a wicked laser core.

5mw Green
Regulated not to exceed 5mw
Uses 2 AAA batteries
Durable housing pen host
532nm wavelength
IR filtered

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Let's end this.

Bill