Is Cat TV Really Good For Cats?

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When I settle onto my sofa in the evening, and my cats jump up for a cuddle, they usually seem more intent on snoozing in my lap than on what I’m watching on Netflix.

Quick Overview

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Cat TV can be a form of visual stimulation; cats finding moving prey-like objects the most interesting to watch.

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Some cats become frustrated watching prey-like animals or objects if they can't actually catch them.

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To avoid injuries to your cat and damage to your television, always supervise your cat to keep them from pouncing on the TV screen.

However, many pet parents are turning to screen time to help keep their cats entertained. A wide range of television shows are made especially for cats, but is this form of visual stimulation helpful or harmful?

As with all things in life, there are advantages and disadvantages of cat TV. Screens can certainly provide some mental stimulation, but some cat owners may find that their pet’s hunting instincts get them into mischief. Read on to find out more about TV for cats.

Why Does My Cat Like TV?

It’s hard to know what draws some cats to television, but it could be the flashing lights and moving images.

Television is a very human hobby. Certainly, I don’t recall any teaching on the subject of cat videos when I was studying veterinary medicine! However, studies show that cats can identify some images, including patterns and outlines.

It is less certain how cats process these images and what they think they are seeing. Cats in real life rely highly on scent and hearing to navigate their environments, with vision being a less important sense. It might just be the stimulating nature of flashing lights and moving images that catches their attention.

Also Read: Why Is My Cat So Desperate For Attention? Top 10 Reasons

What Are The Advantages Of Cat TV?

Television can stimulate cats with certain needs, such as those that are recovering from an injury.

Television can be entertaining for cats! It can be a source of enrichment, especially for shelter cats, or a sedentary indoor cat, or perhaps a cat that is recovering from illness or injury and therefore has restrictions on their normal activities.

If you wish to provide your cat with television, there are lots of suitable playlists out there. Cats seem to like shows that involve small animals moving, such as nature shows, and they also prefer the newer TVs with a high refresh rate. A study in shelter cats found that the combination of prey-like items and movement were most likely to hold cats’ attention.

Also Read: Why Do Cats Play With Their Prey?

What Are The Disadvantages Of Cat TV?

If your cat gets very stimulated watching TV, give them a physical toy to pounce on and catch so they don’t attack the screen.

There is no evidence that watching television can hurt a cat’s eyes. However, it seems to appeal most to those cats with a higher prey drive, which can then become frustrated at their inability to actually catch any of the prey they see on the screen. Some cats might actually pounce on the TV itself, which could cause injury to your pet—and damage to your TV set!

Cats that get extremely stimulated by television might need extra supervision around this new hobby. Signs of a stimulated cat include a tense, crouched body position, chattering or excited meow vocalizations, ears pricked forward, and swishing tail.

Providing a physical toy for your cat to pounce on when they get agitated can help reduce any frustration and provide the satisfaction of the catch, without any damage to your screen. If your cat does jump at the screen and falls awkwardly, or even pulls the TV on top of them, it could lead to a trip to the vet, so a secure TV screen and adequate supervision are advisable.

Also Read: ​Heterochromia In Cats: Cats With Different Colored Eyes

Is My Cat Actually Enjoying The TV?

Some cats might find watching TV unpleasant or even upsetting.

It can be difficult to tell the difference between an excited cat and an anxious one. A cat watching TV with ears pricked, tail raised, narrow pupils, and whiskers pointing forward, is likely just very interested in what they are seeing.

If you notice your cat has dilated pupils, hunched body posture, and flattened ears, they might be finding the TV a bit frightening. It is always best to make sure your cat can leave the room and find a safe place if they wish to.

Also Read: Why Do Cats Put Their Ears Back?

Alternatives To Cat TV?

If you think your cat needs a bit more enrichment in their life, but you don’t want them sitting in front of the TV all day, you have many alternatives. There is plenty of evidence that enrichment is hugely important to cats.

1. Playtime

Rotate toys to keep them interesting, bringing them out for a a few days, then putting them away.

Investing in some cat games and toys is a win-win for everyone. Toys provide enrichment and exercise for your cat and are a perfect way for the owner and cat to bond. Setting aside some time each day for play will reduce prey drive and frustration in those high-wired cats, as well as burn off any extra energy.

Also Read: 8 Purrfect Games You Can Play With Your Cat

2. Food Toys

“Hunting” for their food using a puzzle toy is very stimulating for cats.

Puzzle feeders and treat balls are the perfect enrichment for cats who are left alone for periods of time and need entertainment and also for sedentary indoor cats and those prone to excess weight. Place a proportion of their daily cat food into a puzzle or toys and let them work for it.

Also Read: How Long Can You Leave A Cat Alone?

3. Climbing And Scratching

Consider keeping different styles of scratchers so your cat has a variety.

Scratching and clambering are both very natural and normal feline activities. Scratching posts, cat trees, and accessible high places are all good for providing exercise, enrichment, and fulfilling innate behavioral needs.

Also Read: Best Cat Window Seat & Perches

4. Visual Enrichment

Many cats anjoy looking at real birds or squirrels outside.

TV is one form of visual stimulation, but an accessible window overlooking a street or garden can also be exciting for cats. As with TV, some cats might find it frustrating to see prey but not be able to catch it, so watch your cat for signs they are getting overstimulated.

Also Read: Why Is My Cat Staring at the Wall? A Vet Explains

5. Social Interactions

Brushing is healthy for your cat’s coat, but it also provides bonding and enrichment.

Bonding with other cats, pets, and humans is important to many cats. Grooming is an excellent way to spend time with your cat. Self-care is an important feline trait, with many cats being extremely fastidious about their grooming habits. Participating in these grooming rituals can be a form of social bonding, and relieve tensions and anxieties for cats.

Also Read: 11 Best Cat Brushes & Deshedding Tools For Long & Short Haired Cats

Cat TV: Final Thoughts

Some cats don’t enjoy TV, preferring to get visual stimulation in other ways.

Cats need enrichment, whether that is through outdoor access, natural hunting and play behaviors, or through owner-encouraged interactions such as games, food puzzles, or grooming.

TV can be a form of visual stimulation, with cats finding moving prey-like objects the most interesting to watch. Television can be highly exciting for some felines and can result in frustration or even physical harm if they try to attack the screen. Tailoring a TV schedule to your individual cat is recommended, and providing many different types of enrichment is optimal.

Also Read: 10 Signs Your Cat Really Does Trust You

Frequently Asked Questions

Does cat TV frustrate cats?

TV can be frustrating for cats if there are prey-like objects moving on screen that your cat cannot actually catch. Providing a toy that can be pounced on and physically caught can reduce this frustration.

Is cat TV stimulating for cats?

TV is a form of visual stimulation for cats. Some find it more interesting than others. Cats with a well-developed hunting instinct are more likely to be stimulated, especially by small moving objects that appear similar to prey.

Should I leave the TV on for cats?

Cats do need enrichment in their lives, especially indoor cats. TV is a form of visual enrichment, but there are plenty of other ways to keep cats entertained, such as toys, puzzle feeders, cat trees, and social interaction.

What should I put on TV for my cat?

Cats appear more stimulated by small moving objects on TV than anything else, presumably as they resemble prey. Nature programs are therefore most likely to be attractive to cats, or there are dedicated TV playlists for cats.

View Sources
Cats.com uses high-quality, credible sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the claims in our articles. This content is regularly reviewed and updated for accuracy. Visit our About Us page to learn about our standards and meet our veterinary review board.
  1. Clark, D. & Clark, R. (2014) ‘Optotype recognition visual acuity in the domestic cat’ Res. Rev. Biosci. 8(11)

  2. Ellis, S. & Wells, D. (2008) ‘The influence of visual stimulation on the behaviour of cats housed in a rescue shelter’ App An Behav Sci 113(1-3) pp.166-174

  3. Ellis, S. (2009) ‘Environmental Enrichment: practical strategies for improving feline welfare’ J Fel Med & Surg 11(11)

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About Dr. Lizzie Youens BSc (Hons) BVSc MRCVS

Lizzie has worked in companion animal practice for over ten years, in a variety of roles from small rural branch surgeries to large hospital environments. She also enjoys reading, gardening and spending time with her young daughters. She covers cat behavior, nutrition, health, and other topics for Cats.com.