The instinct in question is the prey drive, which is why cats adore toys like feather teasers and tassels. When a small object is perceived to be moving, a cat instinctively believes it's a small creature like a bug. "The laser simulates the movement of prey so it attracts the cat's attention, and gets the cat to chase and pounce on it," animal behaviour specialist Dr. Stephanie Borns-Weil told How Stuff Works.
Laser pointers can satisfy the predatory urge for cats, especially those who live indoors. And when using a pointer, you should always let your cat perceive that they've caught it to help them build confidence, according to Pet MD. This is especially the case if you own a more sedentary cat, as they may lose interest quicker if they don't receive the satisfaction of catching their perceived prey. Pet MD also recommends that once they've "caught" it, to slowly move the light away from your cat as though their prey is escaping for even more play time.
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