Is using a laser pointer to play with a cat cruel?

No.

but we can give the kitty an award for trying if it will make ya feel better

why would it be cruel? The cat will let you know when it is fed up with this pointless game. My Jillycat was interested for a few minutes. When I noticed her getting bored and frustrated, I ran the little red dot under the bed. As far as she is concerned, it can stay there.

I am with @anartist on this; if the cat gets frustrated, they will simply stop playing. Darwin tends to lose interest in 5–10 minutes and wander off, while Izzy will see the dot, look at me as if to say, “Really?”, and just ignore it entirely after giving me that look. Either way, it’s all good.

At least the cat is getting some exercise, and being the clever paws they are, will give you a ‘look’ and stop when they have had enough, or are winded (in their view).

Yes, it is. You should be killed for this affront against your Gods.

I think the cat will show disinterest in the game if it grows tired of it.

Add me to the ‘cat-will-stop-when-it-gets-bored’ list. If it wasn’t enjoying the game, it wouldn’t chase the dot. Now dogs, OTOH… I know a dog who will chase laser, flashlight, reflection, etc etc till she is exhausted. She just never gets bored with it.

I have this toy (although my cats are much less restrained), which I can turn on and let run for 15 minutes.

They’re not that stupid – they know they can’t catch it. Haven’t you ever watched cats make up imaginary foes and prey?

(I have to keep my border collie away. He’ll trample the cats, and he becomes obsessive, not something to promote in border collies.)

No, it’s not cruel.

@syz the dog I mentioned is a Border cross;-)

Not at all. My 2 cats LOVE the laser pointer, and I use it to call them in at night sometimes. They perk up as soon as they hear the “click” and if I go outside and run it around the yard or my big pasture where they play they will come running. Not to mention tearing around the house after it too. Also, I have read that the laser itself causes no harm to their eyes. It is purr-fectly safe and a great way to encourage exercise.

To a human it’s teasing. But to the cat it’s, “ooh, look at that bright, glowing spot!”... pounce. As is my understanding.

I don’t think it’s cruel either.

However, I think it’s a good idea to try to avoid shining the laser on a cat, because that would increase the chance of a cat making eye contact with the beam, and it’s my understanding that it can cause retinal damage.

@simone54

I realize you said ”...near a cat.” in your details, so I’ve posted my above comment just for general perusal.

It’s not cruel, it’s all about the chase to them. It’s good exercise, they wouldn’t play with it if it weren’t pleasurable.

Nah, it would only be cruel if the laser point could harm the cat upon impact, which it can’t.

Okay, cool. Thanks all.