Introduction
Many cat owners are familiar with the endearing sight of kitty parked in front of the television, eyes glued to the screen. One viral Reddit post captures this fascination perfectly. A cat owner shared a timelapse video of his feline friend enthralled by a nature documentary about black panthers (source). The cat stared unblinkingly, utterly absorbed in the big cats on screen. This comical yet common behavior raises an important question – why do cats love to watch TV so much?
TV Screens Fascinate Cats
Cats are attracted to movement and stimulated by visuals on TV screens because of their strong prey drive. In the wild, cats are predators that hunt small moving animals. Their eyes detect even the slightest motion, which triggers their instinct to stalk and chase. When cats see moving images, shadows, and lights flickering on a TV screen, it activates their natural hunting behaviors. They become transfixed trying to follow the movements, just as they would if viewing birds outside a window. The changing images on TV are unpredictable, which further fuels their curiosity. A cat that stares at the TV is essentially seeing prey it wants to catch. The stimulation provided by the moving visuals is both mentally and physically engaging for cats in a similar way that toys provide enrichment. Staring at the TV allows cats to express their natural hunting behaviors indoors.
According to Inverse:
“Cats’ eyes have excellent vision for detail, especially motion, as well as great peripheral vision. TV screens change hundreds of times a minute and, therefore, are often perceived as constant motion.”
Prey Drive
Cats have a natural instinct to hunt prey. In the wild, cats spend a good portion of their day stalking, chasing, and capturing small animals like mice, birds, insects, etc. This behavior is ingrained in their genetics and cats often exhibit what is called a “prey drive” even when well-fed as house pets.
The quick movements and flickering images on TV can tap into this prey drive, making cats intensely focus on the moving objects they see on screen. To them, the animals or objects moving on TV resemble prey they would naturally be motivated to hunt. So cats will stalk, paw at, and even lunge at the TV in an effort to “catch” their prey [1].
This explains why cats are often most interested when nature shows or programs with animals are on TV. Their prey drive compels them to intently watch and try to capture these “prey” figures moving on screen. The TV visually stimulates their natural hunting instinct.
Sound Entices Cats
One of the main reasons cats are fascinated by TV is due to the sounds coming from the screen. Cats have an exceptionally wide hearing range compared to humans, able to hear frequencies between 48 Hz to 85 kHz (Heffner, 19851). This allows them to pick up on high-pitched sounds that we can’t detect.
When they hear these intriguing noises from the TV, it immediately grabs their attention. The sounds pique their curiosity and make them focus intently on the screen. This response is driven by their natural prey drive, as the TV sounds resemble squeaking mice or other prey animals they would hunt.
In addition, the sounds of nature documentaries or other animal shows strongly appeal to cats. Hearing bird songs, squeaking mice, or other animal noises sparks their interest. So TV programs with these types of sounds tend to mesmerize cats and keep them glued to the screen.
TV Viewing is Stimulating
TV can provide important mental stimulation for cats. The moving images and sounds grab cats’ attention and engage their senses, providing enrichment for their brains. This is especially true for indoor cats who have limited access to natural sights, sounds, and smells. The constantly changing visuals and noises coming from the TV give cats’ minds something new and intriguing to focus on.
Cats have a natural prey drive, so their eyes instinctively follow and track movement on the screen. This satisfies their innate need to hunt, even when they can’t physically catch anything. It taps into their hardwired instincts in a safe, indoor way. Additionally, the novel sounds and noises like animal calls or music provide audio stimulation. Altogether, the audiovisual experience engages cats’ senses and fulfills their desire for variety and mental engagement.
According to pet experts, providing mental stimulation for indoor cats through activities like TV viewing can reduce boredom and stress and prevent associated behavior problems. The enriched environment and mental workout keeps cats happily occupied. So while TV may seem like just entertainment to us, for cats it can provide important cognitive exercise and enrichment.
Source: Is Cat TV Really Good For Cats?
Bonding with Owners
Watching television with their owners can be a bonding experience for cats. A study from the University of Buffalo found that most cats prefer to watch TV when their owners are present (source). This indicates that TV viewing serves as quality time between cats and their humans, strengthening their social connection.
Just as humans bond over shared experiences like watching movies or TV shows together, cats seem to enjoy the same social aspect. Sitting with their owners in front of the TV allows cats to spend relaxing time together. It also provides mental stimulation for both parties as they observe the movement and sounds coming from the screen.
Some cats may see TV watching as an opportunity to cuddle up with their favorite humans on the couch or bed. The soothing background noise from the TV can facilitate cat-human snuggles and petting sessions. Overall, joint TV viewing gives cats and owners a chance to unwind while enjoying each other’s company (source).
Stress Relief
Watching television can help reduce stress and anxiety in cats by providing calming visual and auditory stimulation. The relaxing images, nature sounds, and soft music from programs designed for pets can lower cats’ stress levels and heart rates, easing anxiety and tension.
Stressed cats may obsessively groom, hide, or act out. Providing relaxing TV tailored to cats gives them an outlet to focus on instead of their anxiety. The familiar, predictable sounds and sights create a soothing environment for cats prone to stress. According to RelaxMyCat, their videos use specialized frequencies and images to calm agitated cats.
By cueing up calming cat TV when environmental factors or events trigger stressed behaviors in cats, owners can help them reset and relax. The distractions of the TV engage cats’ interest and shift their focus away from stressors. Reducing cats’ anxiety levels promotes better health and behavior.
Boredom Buster
Sitting in front of the television can provide mental stimulation for an indoor cat that is prone to boredom. Indoor cats can become easily bored when their environment lacks enrichment and activity. Staring at a TV screen gives a bored cat something to focus their attention and energy on. The movement, lights, and sounds coming from the TV can be intriguing for cats. Watching TV helps provide cats with mental stimulation to keep their minds active and prevent destructive behaviors that stem from boredom.
Some studies have indicated that bored cats may exhibit stress-related behaviors like aggression, inappropriate urination, excessive vocalization, furniture scratching, and compulsive grooming. Sitting in front of the TV and intently watching the changing images can help alleviate boredom and provide enrichment for an under-stimulated indoor cat. The visual stimulus engages their mind and natural hunting instincts. For cats prone to boredom, observation of television can serve as an activity that brings some excitement into their daily routine.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several key reasons why cats enjoy watching TV:
– The movement and sounds on the screen tap into cats’ strong prey drive. Their natural hunting instincts cause them to intently follow things on the TV.
– Cats are intrigued by the changing colors, movements, and sounds coming from the TV. The stimulation provides mental enrichment.
– Sitting with owners while they watch TV can help cats bond and feel comforted. It is a way for them to spend calm time with their family.
– Watching TV can provide stress relief and help cats relax when they are bored or anxious.
So while we may never fully understand cats’ interest in TV, it seems their motivations stem from a mix of instincts, enrichment, and bonding opportunities. Overall, watching television simply captures cats’ attention and gives them an enjoyable activity to engage in with their human family members.
References
A. Bly, J. (2012). Why Do Cats Watch TV?. Modern Cat. Retrieved from https://moderncat.com/articles/why-do-cats-watch-tv/
B. Coren, S. (2014). Why Does My Cat Watch TV?. Psychology Today. Retrieved from https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/canine-corner/201404/why-does-my-cat-watch-tv
C. Howe, D. (2017). The Real Reason Your Cat Is So Enthralled By Your TV. Greatist. Retrieved from https://greatist.com/discover/cats-love-tv#1
D. Mikkelson, D. (2008). Do Cats Respond to Television the Way Dogs Do?. Scientific American. Retrieved from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/do-cats-respond-to-tv/
E. Skillings, E. (2021). Yes, your cat really is watching TV, and we can prove it. CNET. Retrieved from https://www.cnet.com/culture/yes-your-cat-really-is-watching-tv-and-we-can-prove-it/
