Kitty auto-X

I'm thinking of a new sport, kitty auto-X. Set up a course and see how quick they can complete it following a laser. High grip on the carpet, drifting on th linoleum, and the Awsome power of kittens!

My cats get overstimulated by a laser really fast. I can get them to drag race down the hallway and skid across the hardwood floor, but they usually are only good for a sprint, then a break while they crouch down and closely monitor the dot.

I dunno if I could get them to navigate a course.

Regardless, cats = funny

I'll be expecting the youtube links shortly.

Do you put cones to mark course boundaries with penalties for every cone knocked over?

There's already this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvUHW8Yl3lQ

I once tried to run one of our dogs through a doggie slalom. I got halfway through the course before an official yelled at me that I didn't have clearance to do that. So we left.

You'd think cats would handle better. Mine have terminal understeer that turns into snap oversteer.

Salanis wrote: Do you put cones to mark course boundaries with penalties for every cone knocked over? There's already this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvUHW8Yl3lQ

Clearly too much power for the available traction!

I might have to see if I can figure out where we put our old laser pointer. The older cats weren't a big fan, however we did just get a new kitten recently.

Basil Exposition wrote: You'd think cats would handle better. Mine have terminal understeer that turns into snap oversteer.

Problem is the relatively high CG and chassis flex.

Mine like to use the wall to bank a turn, hilarious. Why is it so much fun to tease cats?

Because they think they're all smart but are dumb enough to think a point of light is its mortal enemy?

mndsm wrote:

Basil Exposition wrote: You'd think cats would handle better. Mine have terminal understeer that turns into snap oversteer.

Problem is the relatively high CG and chassis flex.

Good point, although some wet skid pad work might improve driver skills. And, if not, at least it would be entertaining watching them attempt to keep all fours out of the water at the same time.

Just be careful if you are teasing a cat with a laser pointer. Some cats are smarter than others.

When laser pointers first came out a friend had one and was trying to get our cats to "chase the dot". The two smaller ones would chase it all over the room. The bigger cat just sat there and watched.

And when the bigger cat had it all figured out he attacked the source. Took several band-aids to cover the teeth and claw marks in my friend's hand!

I think both of our cats know where the laser is coming from, because if we shut it off, they'll often look at the laser in our hands, expectantly.

But they'll still chase that damn thing anyways!

Basil Exposition wrote:

mndsm wrote:

Basil Exposition wrote: You'd think cats would handle better. Mine have terminal understeer that turns into snap oversteer.

Problem is the relatively high CG and chassis flex.

Good point, although some wet skid pad work might improve driver skills. And, if not, at least it would be entertaining watching them attempt to keep all fours out of the water at the same time.

That would be helpful.

Offtopic, but ontopic-

If we were to class cats, where would mine fall? I have 1 black DSH female, average in every way... declawed fronts. I have a tuxedo LH male, dumber than a box of rocks, about 20lbs, and lanky as hell. Declawed front. My secret weapon is my orange SH tabby. He's about 25-30lbs, big, meaty, build with a widebody kit (seriously, he's like a bulldog that meows) NOT declawed, and he's got a total of 6 extra toes as a factory option.

Kittens just like to chase things. Even a piece of string dangled in front , etc. Something to do with their training for hunting.

In reply to mndsm:

The extra claws must bump him to CSP (Cat, street prepared)

Myow.

My cats know where the red dot comes from; they even get excited when I grab the laser pointer.

They will chase the hell out of it nonetheless.