Do your cats play with a light pen?

July 24, 2010 7:56am CST
I brand of cat food I buy gives away light pens and I got one this morning, my cats aren't interested in it though, they don't even seem to notice the light on the floor. Maybe it's because it's daylight and they can't see it it doesn't show up very well to my eyes even. Have you ever bought one of these toys for your cat? Does it chase the light or is it not interested like mine seem to be?
3 people like this
9 responses
• United States
24 Jul 10
Seeing it was a free give-a-way, maybe it's not as bright as some of them? I dunno, but when my cats were younger they use to chase it all the time. Try doing it when it's a bit darker in the room and see if that helps. It's a great exercise for them, and it's really funny and cute seeing them chase this all around the room. Hope you have a bit more luck with it! They would get bored with it after a while because they couldn't catch it. So I would put it away but bring it out the next day and start all over again.
2 people like this
24 Jul 10
It does seem quite dim I'll have to try it late, They play with toys on sticks I pull around but they can actually catch those and hold them so it's more fun for them I suppose.
2 people like this
• United States
24 Jul 10
Yeh, try it later when it's a bit more darker and see what happens. It is really fun to watch them but if you move it too fast, they won't see it either, they'll lose track of it. Oh, I'm sure you know what I mean. Let us know what happens...it really is a great exercise.
1 person likes this
• United States
24 Jul 10
OMG..the greatest toy known to cat. oh yes,my furkids love laser tag.
1 person likes this
24 Jul 10
I'll have to try later when it's darker, maybe the light will show up better then, it would be easy than dragging round their turkey toy on a stick I have.
1 person likes this
24 Jul 10
I've heard of them, and an mouse that runs round on it's own and doesn't bump into things, it was expensive though.
• United States
24 Jul 10
i saw one..i think it was on the petco website..anyway,it's actually a cone that has a beam and a motion sensor that automatically plays with the cat. i've been thinking of getting one so all of them won't chase the pen at once and knock into each other like they do.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
24 Jul 10
What an interesting question, and how I sometimes wish I had a cat!
1 person likes this
25 Jul 10
Not all cats like them, mine don't seem interested in it at all, I'll keep trying though.
@denise36 (128)
• United States
25 Jul 10
My son had a laser light that he kind of lost interest in playing with so I tried it with both the my cats and dogs. They loved it. I kind of felt sorry for them though. They worked so hard and would never get the pleasure of actually catching it.
25 Jul 10
Mine don't seem interested in it at all, but maybe they just weren't in the mood, I'll try again when they are more playful.
• United States
25 Jul 10
Cats can see the light better when it's dark. Try it then and see what happens. My cat loves light pens like that and will try to climb up the walls to get it. However, I had one cat that was scared of it and never would play with it. Hopefully your cat will play with it once it's dark because it's very intertaining for you!
1 person likes this
25 Jul 10
I tried again last night but Gizmo wasn't interested, she wasn't in a playful mood though so I'll keep trying.
@GDTimothy (446)
• United States
25 Jul 10
Most cats that I've used a laser light with just love to chase it! But I've met a couple of cats that just aren't interested at all. Sometimes those cats will look at it once or twice and never bother with it again. But you have to remember that cats do not see all the colors that humans do, so it's best to use them in darker places where the light will show up. Mose laser lights are red, but some are green. I've not tried any green lights yet, though. In any case, I think one of the important things to keep in mind is to NEVER let them "catch" the light. And, you need to wiggle it and move it somewhat randomly to imitate prey in order to get the best response from them. If the cat "catches" it too often, it will figure out that it's fake. :-)
26 Jul 10
The light I've got is a kind of pink colour, I still haven't tried it properly in the dark I'll have another go and follow your advice.
• United States
27 Jul 10
I do hope it works for you and your cat! My laser light is the easiest way to exercise my cat that has ever been invented! LOL! :-)
@BarBaraPrz (45430)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
24 Jul 10
Maybe your cat just wasn't in the mood to play.
• United States
4 Oct 10
i had one a long time ago and i didnt use it enough to make it worth buying another one and i think i remember the cat being amused for maybe 2 minutes.. my cats now are more playful so they would probably love it but i dont know if i would want to pay for it lol.. unfortunately i cant switch their cat food due to prescription diet or else i would ask you what you buy so i can get one lol
• United States
24 Jul 10
Wait untill it gets dark then try your light.I bought one of those red lazer lights and my cat went crazy.She chased it all over the house.It was fun to watch her.Good luck.
1 person likes this
24 Jul 10
I will try it later, they probably just couldn't see it.