Toys That Move: Understanding Interactive Cat Play and Laser Pointers
- Kuba & Leia
- 1 day ago
- 8 min read
What research tells us about how cats play, why movement matters, and the potential concerns around laser pointer toys. Please note this article is an example of what you will find in the Library section of our upcoming My Feline cat companion app. To be on the list for when this new UK-only app launches please click here.
Introduction
Play is one of the most visible and engaging behaviours we see in cats, yet until recently, it received relatively little scientific attention. A laser pointer darting across the floor can send many cats into an immediate chase response, which explains why these toys have become popular with cat owners. However, concerns have been raised about whether this type of play might cause frustration or stress. Recent research has begun to examine both the role of play in cat welfare and the specific question of whether laser pointer toys might be linked to unwanted behaviours.
How Cats Experience Play
Understanding what play means to cats helps us provide better enrichment. Play is thought to be both an indicator and promoter of good welfare. Cats tend to play most when their basic needs are met and they're not under immediate threat. This doesn't mean that all play is equal, though. Researchers identify three main types of play in cats: object play (interacting with toys or objects), locomotor play (running, leaping, rolling), and social play (interactive play with other cats or people).
Early research suggested that play in predatory species like cats was simply practice for hunting.
However, studies comparing kittens with different levels of play experience found they all developed similar hunting abilities. Instead, particularly for social play, the function appears more related to developing social skills and learning to cope with novel or stressful situations. This helps explain why play isn't just entertainment but an important part of cat welfare.
What makes a toy appealing to cats? Studies have found that cats show clear preferences. They tend to prefer toys that are mouse-sized, that move, and that are novel. The movement aspect is particularly important. When comparing different toy types, research found that toys with unpredictable, prey-like movement were strongly preferred over stationary toys. Cats also experience habituation, meaning they can lose interest in toys over time. Regular rotation of toys can help maintain their appeal.
What Cats Prefer: Social Interaction Tops the List
A comprehensive preference study examined what cats value most when given choices between social interaction with people, food, toys, and scents. Fifty cats (both pets and shelter cats) were tested to see which stimuli they preferred. The findings might surprise some people who think of cats as independent creatures.
Social interaction with humans was the most preferred category overall, with half the cats choosing it over their other top preferences. Food came second (chosen by 37% of cats), followed by toys (11%) and scent (2%). This pattern held true for both pet cats with their owners and shelter cats with unfamiliar people.
Within the toy category, a clear pattern emerged. Toys that moved unpredictably were overwhelmingly preferred over stationary toys. When given a choice between a movement toy (controlled from outside the room), a toy mouse, and a feather toy, cats showed a strong preference for the moving toy. Only 3 cats preferred the static mouse toy, and 2 preferred the static feather toy, whilst 23 cats preferred the toy with movement.
This preference for movement helps explain the appeal of laser pointer toys. The unpredictable, quick movements of a laser dot can trigger strong prey-chasing responses in many cats. However, the research also revealed important individual differences. Some cats showed little interest in any toys, whilst others were highly engaged. This variability suggests that enrichment strategies need to be tailored to individual cats.
Cat Play and Laser Pointers
The popularity of laser pointer toys prompted researchers to investigate whether there might be any connection between their use and the development of unwanted repetitive behaviours. A study of over 600 cat owners examined this question in detail.
The research found that nearly half (45.5%) of cat owners used laser pointers to play with their cats, though most used them infrequently. The most common reasons owners gave for using them were that their cat seemed to enjoy the play (54% of users), it provided exercise for their cat (41.6%), and it was an easy way to play (39%).
However, the study identified concerning patterns. Cats whose owners used laser pointers more frequently were more likely to show certain repetitive behaviours, including:
Chasing lights or shadows
Staring fixedly at lights or reflections
Fixating on specific toys
Spinning or tail chasing
The strength of this association increased with frequency of use. Cats who were played with using laser pointers more than once a week showed the highest rates of these behaviours. Indoor-only cats and younger cats (1-2 years old) were also more likely to show these patterns.
It's important to understand what this research does and doesn't tell us. The study found an association between laser pointer use and these behaviours, but it cannot prove that laser pointers cause these behaviours. It's possible that cats who already enjoy chasing lights and shadows are simply more likely to engage enthusiastically with laser pointer play. However, the pattern whereby more frequent use was linked to more frequent behaviours suggests this isn't the complete picture.
The research also revealed an interesting gap between awareness and action. Over half of cat owners (52.1%) had heard the advice that "laser pointers can make cats frustrated if they don't get to catch something at the end of play." This concern relates to the fact that laser play doesn't allow cats to complete the natural hunting sequence with a capture. However, only 35.6% of owners who used laser pointers actually followed the recommended practice of ending the game by letting their cat "catch" something tangible, such as a favourite toy or a treat.
Most owners reported that these behaviours didn't particularly bother them, with around 94-97% saying the light-chasing and staring behaviours didn't affect them at all.
Over half of owners found it easy to redirect their cat's attention away from these behaviours when they occurred. This might explain why the potential concerns around laser pointer use haven't received more attention. However, the researchers note that cats with the most severe behaviour problems might not have been included in the survey, potentially underestimating the issue.
Making Sense of the Evidence
Several factors help explain why laser pointer play might be linked to unwanted repetitive behaviours. The incomplete hunting sequence appears to be central to understanding the concern. In natural hunting, cats follow a predictable pattern: searching, stalking, pouncing, catching, and then consuming prey. Laser pointer play allows the first stages but makes the final, rewarding stages impossible. This might create a sense of frustration or unfinished business that some cats find stressful.
The research on play and welfare provides additional context.
Play is most beneficial when it fulfills natural behavioural needs whilst the animal remains in a relaxed, low-stress state. When play triggers frustration or stress, it may lose its positive welfare benefits and potentially contribute to problems instead. The unpredictable, highly stimulating nature of laser pointer play might tip some cats over from playful engagement into a more obsessive state.
Individual differences appear important too. Not all cats who experience laser pointer play develop repetitive behaviours. Some cats seem entirely untroubled by this type of play, whilst others become intensely focused on it. This variability suggests that genetic predisposition, early experiences, overall stress levels, and environmental factors all play a role.
The finding that indoor-only cats were more likely to show repetitive behaviours deserves consideration. Indoor cats may face more limited opportunities for species-typical behaviours and have fewer ways to alleviate stress or frustration. For these cats, an enrichment toy that triggers but doesn't resolve hunting motivation might be particularly problematic.
Practical Approaches to Play and Enrichment
Given this evidence, what approach makes sense for cat owners? The research suggests several important principles:
First, variety in play matters. Since cats show clear individual preferences and can habituate to toys, providing different types of play experiences helps maintain interest. The strong preference for social interaction in the research suggests that interactive play with you may be particularly valuable for your cat, potentially more so than any specific toy.
Second, movement-based toys that allow completion of the hunting sequence offer advantages. Wand toys with feathers or fabric strips that your cat can actually catch and hold provide the movement that cats find engaging whilst allowing them to experience the satisfaction of a successful "hunt." Regular rotation of these toys helps prevent habituation.
Third, if you choose to use laser pointer toys, consider the modification that some behaviour specialists recommend: ending each play session by directing the laser onto a tangible toy or treat that your cat can catch. This allows the play sequence to conclude in a more satisfying way. However, given the research findings, limiting the frequency of laser pointer play seems prudent, particularly for young cats, indoor-only cats, or cats who show signs of becoming fixated on lights or shadows.
Fourth, watch for concerning patterns. If your cat starts showing intense preoccupation with lights, shadows, or reflections, spending significant time staring at or trying to catch these, it's worth reconsidering your use of laser pointers. Similarly, if your cat has difficulty settling after laser play or seems agitated rather than contentedly tired, this might indicate the play is causing frustration rather than fulfilment.
Fifth, remember that enrichment extends beyond toys. The preference study's findings remind us that for many cats, time spent in social interaction with their people may be more valuable than any toy. Regular, interactive play sessions where you're fully engaged with your cat can be a significant contribution to their wellbeing.
Key Takeaways
🎯 Cats show clear preferences in play, with movement being a key factor that makes toys appealing and engaging
🤝 Social interaction with people was the most preferred activity overall in research studies, followed by food and then toys
⚠️ More frequent use of laser pointer toys was associated with higher rates of repetitive behaviours like chasing lights and shadows
🔄 The concern centres on laser play not allowing cats to complete the natural hunting sequence with an actual catch
🏠 Indoor-only cats and young cats appeared more vulnerable to developing repetitive behaviours in the research
🎪 Variety in enrichment helps, including rotating different toys and providing multiple types of play experiences
✋ If using laser pointers, consider limiting frequency and ending play by letting your cat "catch" something tangible
👀 Watch for signs of fixation or frustration, such as excessive staring at lights or difficulty settling after play
Looking Forward
The research into play, enrichment, and laser pointers in cats is still developing. Whilst we now have clearer evidence of patterns and concerns, many questions remain. We don't yet know at what frequency or duration laser pointer play might become problematic for individual cats, nor can we identify in advance which cats might be most vulnerable.
What we do know is that play serves important functions in cat welfare, that cats have clear preferences about how they play, and that the way we provide enrichment matters. The strong preference for interactive play with people found in research suggests that the relationship between you and your cat, and the time you spend engaged together, may be more important than the specific toys or games you choose. Understanding your individual cat's responses and adjusting their play experiences accordingly remains the most sensible approach whilst research in this area continues to develop.
Research Sources
This article is based on the following research papers:
Henning JSL, Fernandez EJ, Nielsen T, Hazel S (2022). Play and welfare in domestic cats: Current knowledge and future directions. Animal Welfare, 31(4), 407-421. https://doi.org/10.7120/09627286.31.4.005
Shreve KRV, Mehrkam LR, Udell MAR (2017). Social interaction, food, scent or toys? A formal assessment of domestic pet and shelter cat (Felis silvestris catus) preferences. Behavioural Processes, 141, 322-328. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.beproc.2017.03.016
Kogan LR, Grigg EK (2021). Laser Light Pointers for Use in Companion Cat Play: Association with Guardian-Reported Abnormal Repetitive Behaviors. Animals, 11(8), 2178. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082178
Research Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ (3 stars) - Multiple studies back this up, including some peer-reviewed research. This is knowledge that's gaining solid support.
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