Review: BOLT Automatic Cat Laser Toy

Prior to trying out the BOLT interactive cat laser toy, I was using a handheld pen-like laser that required holding down the button the whole time. That got tiring, and the pen was always falling apart.

So, I was really happy to have the opportunity to try out the BOLT laser toy from FroliCat. (I received a laser toy at no charge for review purposes.)

BOLT works in two ways: automatically or in manual mode. For the automatic mode, you simply sit the toy on a flat surface and turn it on. For manual mode, you hold down the on button for three seconds. To see a video of BOLT in action, visit FroliCat.

Automatic Mode:

It’s great for cats that need play time while you’re busy. For instance, my cat is always begging for me to stop using the computer. Turning on the BOLT can give him some play stimulation that I don’t have to be actively involved in other than supervision. The laser will shut off after 15 minutes. The laser patterns generated in automatic mode are interesting and varied enough to keep the attention of most cats.

Manual Mode:

While the BOLT can occupy your cat without your involvement, most cats appreciate owners playing with them. And that’s something I encourage for cat owners as well since it helps with bonding. One advantage of using the BOLT in manual mode over a simple pen-like laser available at office stores is the lever that allows you to adjust the mirror. Moving that lever makes the laser speed away quickly. However, the BOLT can be a little awkward to hold because of its larger size.

Overall Feelings on the BOLT laser toy:

In general, I feel that BOLT is well made and doesn’t drain batteries quickly. It can be a good addition to your cat’s arsenal of toys. But I would suggest that you use rechargeable batteries to be kinder to the environment. The toy takes 4 AA batteries.

I can’t predict how your cat will react. My cat is interested in the toy, but the length of time he’s willing to play with it really depends on his mood. Sometimes he’ll pounce and hunt for around five minutes and then become bored. Other times, he’ll actively play for the full 15 minutes or more.

If I could suggest an improvement for BOLT, it would be to eliminate the noise. While the sound emitted from BOLT isn’t loud by any means, cats with their super hearing can hone in on it and possibly become distracted by the toy itself instead of chasing the beam.

While the white color offered is stylish enough, I’d love to see BOLT available in grey, black or green too!

A Word of Caution:
While the automatic laser is quite handy, you need to supervise your cat while playing. The toy uses laser radiation, and cats and people alike shouldn’t let it come in contact with their eyes. One disadvantage of the automatic mode is that the beam can automatically shine at tall heights if you adjust the lever that way. I tend to keep the lever adjusted so that the beam will shine closer to the floor, away from human eyes. I also supervise my cat to make sure the light isn’t shining in his eyes. However, most cats move too quickly for that.

Have you tried the BOLT laser toy?

(Images from FroliCat)