Why Do Dogs Like Chasing Lasers?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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The movement of a laser pointer triggers a dog’s prey drive

, which means they want to chase it. It’s an unending game with no closure for the dog since they can’t ever catch that beam of light, like they can when chasing a toy or food.

Why you shouldn’t use a laser pointer with dogs?

Laser pointers

can hurt your dog’s eyes

Since dogs have more rods, they are more sensitive to light. Whether on purpose or while playing a game, shining a laser pointer into a dog’s eyes can result in permanent damage or loss of vision for your pup.

Is chasing lasers bad for dogs?

Unfortunately, a game of laser pointer chase can be very frustrating for a dog and

can lead to behavioral problems

. The movement of a laser pointer triggers a dog’s prey drive, which means they want to chase it.

Do dogs like chasing lasers?


Canines and felines love chasing lasers because they move

. The movement stimulates their inner predator (no wonder smaller prey like rats stop moving when hunted). Dogs, in particular, have very light-sensitive eyes, which explains their acuity.

Can lasers make dogs go crazy?

The Root of the Behavior

According to animal behaviorists,

laser toys are not a good idea for dogs because it can quickly become an obsession from which behavioral problems develop

. Not being able to catch their “prey” affects the dog’s psyche.

What colors can dogs see?

People can see a rainbow of variations including violet, blue, green, yellow, orange and red. Dogs can only see

blue, yellow, and some shades of gray

. Dogs would see a rainbow as dark yellow (sort of brownish), light yellow, gray, light blue, and dark blue. Dogs don’t see red, purple (violet), or orange like we do.

Do laser pointers give dogs anxiety?

Laser Pointer Syndrome (LPS) is a detrimental OCD type behavior that stems from the compulsive chasing of reflections, lights, and shadows. The AKC reveals that

laser usage leads to this behaviour due to the dogs’ frustration, anxiety and confusion at the unattainable red dot.

Why is my dog obsessed with lights?

Some dogs become fixated on lights, reflections and shadows, especially those with high chase or prey drive. Light and shadow chasers often begin their obsession with shadows or reflections

as a fun game that relieves boredom

. The best way to modify this behavior is to redirect your dog onto more positive pastimes.

Why do dogs chase their tails?

Boredom. Oftentimes, dogs will chase their tails

because they are a bit bored; it’s a way for them to have fun and expend some energy

. This is especially true for puppies, who may not even realize that their tail is actually a part of their body, but see it as a toy. Generally, as dogs age, this kind of play dies down.

Are pet lasers safe?

Petcube’s laser (same as used in most laser pointers) is

safe for both human and pet eyes even in case of the occasional direct contact

. However, it is strongly recommended to avoid looking straight at the laser for an extended period of time.

What is OCD in a dog?

Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD or OD) is

an inflammatory condition that occurs when the diseased cartilage separates from the underlying bone

. It most commonly affects the shoulder joint but the elbow, hip, or knee (stifle) may also be involved.

Should dogs play with lasers?


Lasers stimulate your dog’s innate prey drive, just like playing with a ball or a squeaky toy does

. However, unlike a ball, your dog can never catch the beam of light, so they never receive a reward. This can lead to unhealthy behaviors.

Is it OK to play with a cat with a laser pointer?

cats, if you have a multi-breed household,

you may opt NOT to include laser pointers out of respect for your pooch

. Also, if you do play with a laser and your cat, one last reminder about laser pointers from Dr. Sims: “NEVER point them toward the eyes of pets or people. They can cause serious injury.”

Do dogs like red LED lights?


Most pets appear comfortable around red and near-infrared light wavelengths

, especially if their devoted owners are providing them with lots of attention and love during their treatment. Animals such as dogs see a more limited color range than humans so are not visually sensitive to red or near-infrared light.

How do you stop a dog from chasing lights?

Your response when your dog begins to chase light or fixate on shadows will have a big impact on his behavior. Let your motto be:

Interrupt and redirect, but never punish

. Interrupt the behavior and try to redirect him to some other sort of behavior.

Do dogs have belly buttons?


Dogs don’t have innies or outies like people do

. If your dog does have any protrusion of his belly button, it’s likely a hernia that should be immediately evaluated by your veterinarian.

Do dogs see us as dogs?

And what the studies show is welcome news for all dog owners: Not only do dogs seem to love us back,

they actually see us as their family

. It turns out that dogs rely on humans more than they do their own kind for affection, protection and everything in between.

Do dogs cry?

No… and yes. Dogs can “cry,” but this doesn’t necessarily mean that their eyes expel tears… at least not due to their feelings. “As you might have observed in your own pet,

dogs do cry in the definition that they can shed tears

,” explains Dr.

Do laser pointers make dogs neurotic?

They may chase everything from your watch on the wall or light shining through glass doors. They are constantly on the lookout for anything that is similarly reflective.

The constant watchfulness becomes a neurotic and obsessive behavior

, and a very unhappy way of being.

How do you prevent laser pointer in dogs?

Can dogs see green?


A dog’s vision is in the red-green colorblindness spectrum

, and they can’t see that green grass or a bright red rose as vividly as we can. In your dog’s eye, red appears as dark brownish gray, or black. Yellow, orange, and green look yellowish, but blue they see really well and purple looks the same as blue.

Can a dog see TV?


Dogs absolutely can see TV

, and many seem to enjoy it. There are a number of features about television shows that dogs find attractive. Some of these are visual, such as motion, while others relate to the sounds coming from the TV. Dog eyes are very different from human eyes, so they see things on TV differently.

What is dog Shadow chasing?

Shadow chasing among dogs is

a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

, and can be very serious. Before starting any type of behavior modification, check with your vet to see if the best solution for your dog is medication. If your vet suggests behavior modification exercises, here are some to try out.

Why does my dog hate flashlights?

Introduction. Dogs have good night vision. They do see flashlights, but appear to be stunned by them

because of their ability to reflect light when light shines in their eyes

. Dogs have a tissue membrane in front of the retina called the tapetum lucidum.

Charlene Dyck
Author
Charlene Dyck
Charlene is a software developer and technology expert with a degree in computer science. She has worked for major tech companies and has a keen understanding of how computers and electronics work. Sarah is also an advocate for digital privacy and security.