Is Cat TV Good for Cats? What Experts Really Say · Kinship

Have you ever ever discovered your self watching TV and realized your cat was sitting beside you, eyes glued to the display, tail flicking, pupils dilated, very caught up in what you’re watching? You will have puzzled, Is watching a video actually an excellent factor for cats? And is it OK to allow them to watch a video that was truly made for them?

Let’s have a look at what cat TV is, why cats prefer it, what might be unsuitable with it, and tips on how to use it correctly with out turning your cat right into a TV maniac.

What’s cat TV?

Cat TV refers to movies for cats you could normally discover on YouTube or buy as an app. They’re particularly designed to boost your feline’s senses. They current something that resembles prey, corresponding to birds pecking at seeds, squirrels climbing timber, fish swimming, and even simply dots, traces, or different colourful pictures transferring throughout the display. They emphasize:

Gradual-to-moderate motion

Excessive-contrast visuals 

Repetitive, predictable patterns

Attention-grabbing feels like rustling leaves or chirping birds

Cat TV video producers know that your cat doesn’t care a couple of plot or character, solely about watching prey.

Advantages of cat TV for cats

Environmental enrichment for pets is a phrase typically talked about as of late. You need to present it to your feline. Cat movies generally is a helpful enrichment instrument. They aren’t a substitute for different cat toys or for you enjoying and interacting together with your cat, however they will supply advantages, particularly for indoor cats.

Psychological stimulation

Current research have proven simply how clever cats are. So it is smart that indoor cats specifically can get fairly bored in the event that they don’t have an enriched surroundings. Cat TV simulates actual life. It engages a cat’s:

Monitoring talents

Anticipatory conduct

Looking instincts

In case your cat has been excessively meowing, knocking issues off cabinets (a private passion for a lot of cats), or simply looking at you, then cat TV could also be simply the factor for you.

Leisure and enrichment

Cats can’t sit round and simply sleep all day, and that’s what they’ll do in the event that they don’t have any options. Fluttering birds on a display can present novelty and selection, particularly in case you don’t have home windows in your house that your kitties can see out of, inhibiting them from viewing wildlife.

Nervousness and stress reduction

It could shock you, however cat TV can truly be calming for some cats. In case your cat is anxious, you’ve lately moved to a brand new residence, or there’s development noise, new pets, or modifications in schedules, your cat can discover cat movies predictable, mild, and soothing.

Birds fluttering on the display can really feel protected and acquainted, like consolation TV. However genuine safari pictures with scary, giant wild animals might have the alternative impact.

 Encouraging pure behaviors

You might even see issues occur in your cat’s conduct as they’re watching prey-like actions. It’s possible you’ll discover:

Chattering

Tail swishing

Crouching

Pawing on the display

TV will not be an alternative choice to precise bodily looking, however you don’t need them doing that anyway. What it might do, although, is fulfill an instinctual urge in lots of cats, which is very vital for cats that may’t safely go outside.

Potential downsides of cat TV

Earlier than you placed on a cat video, it’s important to know that the cat TV choice isn’t good and it’s not proper for each cat.

Overstimulation

Some cats get so concerned in what’s on the display that they really develop into emotionally invested in it. If there’s an excessive amount of quick motion, loud sounds, or high-intensity visuals, it might overstimulate some cats. Indicators of overstimulation embody:

In case your cat doesn’t seem relaxed or appears a bit anxious, it’s an indication that possibly cat TV isn’t to your cat.

Aggression or frustration

It’s enjoyable for a cat to see birds, fish, and squirrels, even when they aren’t actually current. But when they get to see them however by no means catch them, it might develop into fairly irritating. This may result in aggression in direction of individuals, different pets, and even the TV itself. In case your cat begins biting, hissing, or attacking after watching cat TV, it’s time to hit pause.

Dependence on cat TV

Imagine it or not, cats can develop habits. They will develop into overly reliant on cat TV for leisure. This may trigger them to play much less, discover much less, or lower social interactions. The video turns into extra of a substitute than an enrichment. And cat TV ought to enrich your cat’s surroundings, not change real-world engagement.

Greatest practices for utilizing cat TV

The general reply, nevertheless, is that cat TV might be wholesome to your cat if it’s used rigorously and deliberately.

Restrict your cat’s display time.

It sounds such as you’re speaking about your human baby, and the reality is, your cat is your baby, and you must set the foundations. Quick classes are greatest. Ten to half-hour at a time, a few times a day, might be sufficient TV watching to your cat. Extra prolonged durations of time can overstimulate or frustrate them. You need to finish the session earlier than your cat turns into overstimulated to maintain the expertise optimistic.

Select the precise content material

Not each video out there may be equal or ultimate. Search for movies with:

If the movies are too quick or chaotic, this generally is a problem, particularly for an anxious or senior cat.

Complement it with different actions

Cat TV is greatest used if it’s paired with:

There’s one other technique you need to use. Have a play session first, then let your cat watch TV after they’re slightly drained. It may be extra like a cool-down part after a exercise.

Options to cat TV

Don’t fear in case your cat doesn’t appear to love cat TV.  Not all cats do. Should you’re on the lookout for further enrichment choices, there are loads.

Bodily toys and puzzles

Should you go to the pet retailer and go searching at toys, one can find many choices. Interactive toys, laser pointers, feather wands, and food-dispensing puzzles are all good for occupying your cat’s physique and mind. It’s additionally good to rotate the toys you supply your cat each few days to maintain them recent and forestall boredom.  Keep in mind, cats are clever, they usually actually discover when it’s the identical mouse daily.

Outside adventures

There are methods to let your cat get slightly outside time that may be extremely enriching:

This may give your cat actual outside smells and sounds, and might be very refreshing and calming.

Social interplay with pets

Everybody’s heard about how cats are so unbiased, however in case you’re a real cat connoisseur, that’s not true. Cats thrive on interplay with people or different animals. Offering them with every day play classes, coaching, video games, and even simply constant cuddle time can supply them one thing that no TV display can change.

Backside line

So, is cat TV good for cats? Sure, if used thoughtfully. TV for cats can present enrichment, psychological stimulation, and even stress reduction, particularly for indoor cats. But it surely’s not the one factor you must supply your cat, and it’s not meant to interchange real-world play or environmental enrichment.

Be sure you embody different actions to steadiness out the combo. What in case your cat fully ignores cat TV? Don’t fear. Get out that new cardboard fieldopens in new tab that was simply delivered, they usually’ll be fairly completely satisfied.

References

Ellis, Sarah L.H., and Deborah L. Wells. “The Affect of Visible Stimulation on the Behaviour of Cats Housed in a Rescue Shelter.” opens in new tabUtilized Animal Behaviour Science, vol. 113, no. 1-3, Sept. 2008, pp. 166–174

‌Houser, Bridgette, and Kristyn R. Vitale. “Rising Shelter Cat Welfare by way of Enrichment: A Evaluation.” opens in new tabUtilized Animal Behaviour Science, vol. 248, Mar. 2022, p. 105585

Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas. Look What the Cat Tapped In: Exploring Digital Interactive Techniques Designed for the Cat Cafe Expertise.opens in new tab 28 Nov. 2025, pp. 1–16, Accessed 19 Dec. 2025.