Best Laser Pointer for Cats as Safe Toys (Updated for Dogs)

Laser pointers are one of the most useful and versatile tools you could ever own. It has a range of power and colors that can help you complete daily tasks and even advanced activities like stargazing. Another popular use for a laser pointer is as a toy for cats and dogs. They are known to chase around a laser dot, sometimes for hours on end. Using a laser pointer for your household pets can have many benefits; it stimulates their predatory instincts and promotes a healthier, more active lifestyle. This is especially good for heavier cats and dogs who need to shed some weight and introduce more physical activities into their day.

Top 4 Laser Pointer Toys for Pets Comparison Chart

We’ve curated the 4 most popular and recommended laser pointers that are suitable for playtime with your cats and dogs. All these lasers are safe, made with high-quality materials, and affordable, the three qualities you should always look for in a laser pointer.

Cat Laser Pointer Toy Reviews

1. Dialeesi Laser Pointer

This laser pointer from Dialeesi is deemed one of the best and the most recommended laser pointer for cats and dogs. It’s actually quite affordable considering all of its high-end features. With this laser pointer, you’ll get a strong red laser beam, a durable unit, and convenient charging.

The Dialeesi laser pointer is multifunctional; it has the red laser dot, an LED white flashlight, and a UV detector, useful to find pet-related stains and other things not visible to the naked eye. The laser is housed in an elegant unit that resembles your typical household flashlight. The housing unit is made of a combination of aluminum alloy shell and plastic and it comes with a strap attached for more secure use. It’s recommended that you don’t use this laser pointer outdoors and the recommended optimal range for the Dialeesi laser pointer is about 30 to 50 yards.

Pros

• Sturdy yet lightweight
• Rechargeable by USB
• Small milliwatts, safe for human and animal use
• Strong red laser
• Additional cat toys including 1 screaming squeaky mouse and 1 lanyard

Cons

• The battery doesn’t last long
• May not hold a charge

2. Undercut Innovations Professional Laser Pointer

You should always choose a laser pointer from a trusted brand. Undercut Innovation is one of those brands because their laser pointers have been pet tested and approved. The branding on this laser pointer is clear and visible, unlike other affordable laser pointers that rarely have trustable branding.

Similar to the Dialeesi laser pointer, this one from Undercut Innovations comes with 3 types of light: red laser dot, LED flashlight, and a UV light. Constructed with aluminum alloy, this laser pointer is meant for maximum durability. It operates by using a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that’s included in the package. The USB charger is included and you can even charge this laser pointer with your portable charger in just 10 minutes.

A downside for the Undercut Innovations laser pointer is its potential to overheat. Some users experience this while charging their laser pen. This, however, can be avoided by ensuring you’re not overcharging the laser pointer. You can set a timer when you charge and observe how long it will take until it overheats. Then, the next time, you can just reduce your charging time.

Pros

• Up to 60 minutes of continuous light
• On/off switch
• Laser visibility up to 80 feet
• Strong, visible light
• Additional cat toy

Cons

• May not hold a charge
• May become very hot while charging

3. FYNIGO Interactive Toy

You shouldn’t worry about purchasing a laser pointer for your cats and dogs even if you’re being constrained by a budget. The FYNIGO Interactive Laser Pointer Toy is extremely affordable. Despite its low price, FYNIGO doesn’t neglect the quality and functionality of how a laser pointer for pets is supposed to be.

Unlike the other 2 laser pointers above, this FYNIGO laser only has 2 functions which are the LED flashlight and a red light pointer. Also, a difference from the other 2 laser pointers is the battery that it uses. This FYNIGO laser pointer uses only 1 piece of AA battery which is easy to get and won’t easily overheat like the lithium-ion batteries. Last but not least, the FYNIGO laser pointer uses stainless steel for its housing unit to ensure safe use and long-lasting fun.

While the FYNIGO laser pointer might be the most affordable, there are some additional downsides that comes with it like fading or dimming laser beam and durability issues, among others.  It can be an alternative if you’re looking for a cheap, disposable laser pointer, enough to keep your cats and dogs entertained.

Pros

• 2 laser pointers with an additional cat toy
• On/off switch
• Compact size and dimension
• Laser visibility up to 150 yards

Cons

• Laser tends to fade/dim
• Doesn’t have a long shelf life

4. Laifoo LED Light Pointer

This laser pointer from Laifoo is simple, straightforward, and sleek. It doesn’t have multiple or dual features like the other three laser pointers but it will surely still get the job done. A standout point for this Laifoo laser pointer is its truly sophisticated design and a slightly advanced mechanism that the other laser pointers don’t have.

The Laifoo LED light pointer has an aluminum alloy housing unit, complete with brass modules and integrated microchip internal structure. This integrated microchip prevents overcharging which can, in turn, prevent overheating and potential fire hazards. It has two built-in 400mAh AAA rechargeable batteries that will guarantee a long service life. Just like the Dialeesi laser pointer, Laifoo’s laser pen has a very small output power. It guarantees a safe playtime with your pets as it is virtually harmless as long as it's not projected directly into the eyes.

Pros

• Sleek and modern design
• Integrated microchip
• Rechargeable by USB
• Small output power

Cons

• May not hold a charge which can be easily resolved by replacing the 400mAh AAA rechargeable batteries 
• Beam may spread out too quickly

Conclusion

All these laser pointers have their own strengths and weaknesses but we would recommend the Dialeesi laser pointer. It has the best overall qualities and gets good reviews by buyers. Its cons of not being able to hold a charge or the not-so-long-lasting battery can be easily solved with a portable charger.

The Laifoo LED is also up to par with its many positive qualities. It’s perfect for people who are looking for a no-frills laser pointer for their pets. It only has the laser dot, which is quite powerful yet safe on its own, that can keep your pet entertained for hours. The nice modern design is a plus point, too.

All you need to know about laser pointers as safe toys for cats & dogs

Laser pointers are one of the most versatile tools you can ever own. From presentations to star pointing, you can rely on a laser pointer to highlight an object safely and accurately. If you’re experienced enough, you can even mount your lasers to rifles or modify them to create a more powerful beam.

However, one of the simplest activities you can do with a laser pointer is perhaps to use it as a toy for your cats and dogs. You just need to simply project the laser beam onto a surface, move it around, wait until your pet engages with the laser dot. Nevertheless, using a not as simple as it seems; there are also safety precautions that you need to take, just like you would when using laser pointers with other people.

Can cats and dogs see green lasers?

Since dogs can only see very few colors, they have a hard time to distinguish the different colors of your laser pointers. On the other hand, cats can see a wider range of colors, albeit not as vibrant as humans. Cats can see green, yellow, blue, and red. One thing that cats are able to see that we humans don’t is ultraviolet.

Cats and dogs don’t really see colors as well as humans do so whether you use a green laser or red laser, your pets won’t be able to really tell the difference. They are mainly attracted to the movement of the laser dot instead of the color.

Why do cats chase red lasers?

The main reason why cats chase lasers is because of its movement. It mimics the movement of prey in the wild that can trigger your cat’s instinct to hunt. This is a great activity to do with your indoor cat because it stimulates their natural predatory instinct.

There’s also another reason why cats perceive red laser dots better. It has been established that cats see colors differently from us and it is possible that they are not seeing red when you’re playing with the laser pointer. The laser dot will appear to them as white or yellow, something contrasting from the other objects around them.

Why doesn’t my cat chase a laser pointer?

A reason why your cat won’t chase a laser pointer is that cats can react differently to different laser colors. One cat might not be able to see the red laser very well while another might only be able to see red lasers. Try all the laser colors on your cat first and see if that can trigger any reaction. Do pay attention to the power output of the laser pointer. Most laser pointer for humans and animals don’t exceed 5mW but double check so that you will always have a safe play time.

A second reason is perhaps your cat is not accustomed to the movement of the laser pointer yet. Try to get your cat to pay attention to the laser dot and once you’ve got it, start moving the laser pointer slowly to ensure your cats stay fixated on the laser. Another trick is to purchase a laser pointer with different laser patterns so the cat will be more interested in playing with the laser pointer. If your cat still doesn’t budge and won’t chase the laser pointer, it may just not be interested in the laser. Find and test out other toys instead that would stimulate their hunting and predatory instincts.

How to make a laser pointer for cats?

When the traditional laser pointer is not enough for your cat, you should try to make your own laser toy using basic items you can get from a hardware store. You would need an Arduino board, a laser module, and a laser diode. This requires a little programming expertise as you’ll need to make the commands for the laser. Create a command for the Arduino board, connect all the wires between the board, the modules, and the diode, and figure out a way to automate the laser beam.

If that seems to be too much work for you, you can get a remote-controlled toy and mount the laser pointer on it. The toy will carry around the laser pointer and create the movement so you don’t have to go through the hassle of holding the laser pointer for a long time. This works best with a laser pointer with an on/off switch where you don’t need to hold the button to project the laser. We recommend a toy that can rotate the laser automatically, like the Friends Forever Interactive Laser. Simply push the power button to turn it on and it will start rotating straightaway. It rotates randomly, so it will be unpredictable and can keep your pets on their toes.

Are laser pointers bad for cats and dogs?

Laser pointers might be a great toy for your feline friends and canine companions but there are downsides to using laser pointers as a toy for your pets. Experts say that laser pointers can have negative effects on your dog’s and cat’s psychological well-being. This is because your dogs and cats will never catch the laser and will grant your dog the closure and satisfaction of capturing the laser. Another downside to laser pointers is that they can harm your pets’ vision. Cats’ and dogs’ are more sensitive to light, even more than the human eyes. If you accidentally shine your laser pointer into their eyes for a long period of time, it could seriously damage their eyes.

In order to have a safe play time using a laser pointer, make sure you don’t overdo it. Set a time limit as to how long your pets can play with the laser dot. This is to ensure that you don’t over-stimulate your pets as some may become fixated on catching the dot which will then impair their psychological health.