Cats Love Watching Birds
It’s no surprise that cats love to watch videos of birds. According to [https://www.lovecats.org/caring-for-your-cat/is-it-okay-for-cats-to-watch-bird-videos/], cats have a strong instinct to hunt, chase and capture prey. Watching videos of birds appeals to this natural instinct. The visual stimulation and movement on the screen taps into their hard-wired need for activity and mental enrichment. It’s an opportunity for them to engage their natural hunting behaviors in a safe, indoor environment. Additionally, the videos provide much-needed mental stimulation for indoor cats. According to [https://cats.com/is-cat-tv-good-for-cats], watching these videos can sharpen their visual skills and reflexes as they intently watch the birds flutter and move on screen.
Moderation is Key
When it comes to letting your cat watch bird videos, moderation is key. It’s easy for cats to become obsessive about watching birds, so you don’t want to overdo it. A good rule of thumb is to limit your cat’s bird video watching to 10-30 minutes one or two times per day. This gives them a chance to enjoy the stimulation of the videos without becoming over-reliant on them for entertainment.
It’s also important to switch up your cat’s activities throughout the day. Bird videos can be part of their routine, but make sure to incorporate other forms of play, exercise, and enrichment as well. Try introducing food puzzles, new toys, brushing and petting sessions, and opportunities for exploration around your home. A varied routine will keep your cat engaged and prevent boredom from setting in.
While bird videos can be great supplemental stimulation for cats, they shouldn’t be the only activity your cat takes part in. Use them moderately as part of a balanced routine for your feline friend.
Consider Your Cat’s Personality
Every cat has a unique personality that will influence how much bird watching they can handle. High energy cats tend to be more playful and stimulated by moving objects like birds on a screen. They may enjoy and even need more time watching bird videos as an outlet for their energy and predatory instincts. According to one Reddit user, their high energy cat “really liked the Cat Games videos and the Badger Badger Badger video” in addition to bird videos.
On the other hand, senior cats are often lower energy and may become overstimulated or stressed by prolonged bird watching. Their vision, hearing, and reaction times decline with age, so they may not be as interested in or able to follow birds on a screen. It’s best to limit their bird watching and monitor them for signs of agitation. As one Quora user noted, cats may experience some interest watching bird videos due to the movement and sounds, but they likely “know they are on screen and not real.”
Understanding your individual cat’s personality and needs is key to finding the right balance of bird watching. High energy cats may relish more time observing fluttering birds while senior cats are better off with limited exposure.
Supervise Your Cat
It’s important to supervise your cat any time they are watching bird videos. Cats can easily get overstimulated by the sights and sounds of the videos, which can lead to agitated behavior like pawing at the screen, vocalizing, or showing signs of frustration or stress.
Keep an eye on your cat’s body language and behavior when the videos are playing. Signs of overstimulation include dilated pupils, pawing aggressively at the screen, heavy panting, ears back, tail swishing, and vocalizing. If you notice these behaviors, it’s time to redirect your cat’s attention and turn off the videos.
You can redirect your cat’s energy in a more positive way by engaging them in play with a wand toy or special treat toy. This allows them to act out their natural hunting behaviors in a simulated “catch and kill” game. Play until your cat seems calm and content again.
By supervising and intervening if your cat gets overexcited, you can make sure bird videos remain enriching entertainment rather than a source of stress.
Choose Bird Videos Wisely
When selecting bird videos for your cat to watch, opt for calmer birds like doves rather than hyperactive ones like hummingbirds. Footage of peaceful, slower-moving birds is less likely to overstimulate your cat. According to bird expert Paul Dinning, whose YouTube channel has nearly 8 million views, cats tend to prefer watching calm birds that don’t move around too quickly in videos.
Hummingbirds and other hyperactive birds fluttering all over the screen may be too much visual stimulation for your cat. The rapid movements and noises can wind them up unnecessarily. Stick to placid doves, songbirds, and similar mellow species for a more relaxing viewing experience for your feline.
Safety First
When allowing your cat to watch bird videos, it’s important not to leave them unattended. Cats can get overstimulated and try to pounce on or interact with the TV screen, potentially knocking it over and injuring themselves or damaging the device. According to this Quora post, supervise your cat anytime bird videos are playing to minimize safety risks.
Additionally, be sure to place the TV or device on a stable surface or mount it securely on the wall. Don’t put it on shelves or furniture your cat could potentially knock it off of. Take precautions like securing wires and cords as well. The goal is to eliminate any hazards that could harm your cat or damage your belongings if they become over-enthused with the on-screen birds.
With some simple safety measures, you can allow your cat to enjoy birdwatching from the comfort of home without undue risk. Just be sure to always supervise them during viewing sessions.
Provide Other Stimulation
While watching bird videos can provide mental stimulation for cats, relying solely on videos is not enough. It’s important to rotate with other enrichment activities to prevent boredom.
Make sure to set aside dedicated playtime with interactive toys like feather wands, laser pointers, puzzle toys, and treat balls. Cats need active play to satisfy their natural hunting instincts. Aim for at least two 15-minute play sessions per day.
Pet and stroke your cat frequently to meet their needs for affection and touch. Grooming is another calming activity cats enjoy. Set up cozy napping spots around your home so your cat has places to lounge and watch the world around them.
Place food puzzles around your home to encourage foraging. Use food-dispensing toys to make mealtimes more challenging and engaging. Offer new textures and flavors in your cat’s diet for sensory enrichment.
Rotate different types of enrichment daily to prevent your cat from getting bored. Create a stimulating environment with various opportunities for play, exploration and interaction. This will reduce over-reliance on videos as the sole source of entertainment.
Consider Your Setup
When letting your cat watch bird videos, make sure you set up an optimal viewing experience. Place the screen at your cat’s eye level for easy viewing. Cat’s vision is different than human’s, so getting the screen at the right height will make sure your kitty can see everything clearly. According to an article on Purina, placing the screen slightly higher than human eye level is ideal. You want your cat to be able to look forward at the screen.
Adjust the volume as needed based on your cat’s reaction. Some cats may become overstimulated by loud bird noises, while others need sufficient volume to remain engaged. Observe your cat’s reactions and adjust the volume up or down accordingly. The goal is to provide an enriching experience without overwhelming your pet. An article on Reddit suggests keeping the volume reasonable to avoid stressing out your cat.
Think about placement of the screen as well. Put it in an area where your cat already likes to spend time, such as a favorite window perch. Make sure there is space for your cat to get up and walk away if they lose interest. Proper setup will lead to an enriching and relaxing viewing session.
Signs Your Cat is Overstimulated
When a cat becomes overstimulated, you may notice signs of agitation, aggression, and restlessness. According to the Hawaiian Humane Society (https://hawaiianhumane.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Feline-Behavior-Resources-Overstimulation-in-Cats.pdf), common signals of an overstimulated cat include:
- Excessive meowing or purring
- Skin twitching along the back
- Ears flattening or turning backwards
- Aggressive behaviors like biting or scratching
- Restlessness, pacing, or hiding
An overstimulated cat may become very vocal, meowing or yowling excessively. They may also purr loudly and nonstop. These are signs your cat is feeling stressed and over-aroused.
Your cat may also begin biting or scratching you or other pets. This aggression is a signal that your cat is overwhelmed and needs a break from stimulation. Pay close attention to these behaviors to prevent injury.
Alternative Options
Instead of letting your cat watch bird videos for extended periods, consider alternative options that provide mental stimulation. One option is setting up a bird feeder outside a window for your cat to watch safely from indoors. Having an outdoor bird feeder allows your cat to watch live birds in nature. Be sure to place the feeder well out of your cat’s reach to prevent harming birds.
Another alternative is playing special music designed for cats, such as harp music, classical music, and David Teie’s Music for Cats. This cat-friendly music provides mental stimulation and enriches their environment. Rotate different music to hold your cat’s interest. Supervise your cat while music plays and watch for signs of overstimulation.
