Purrfect Entertainment: Can Cats See TV And Enjoy It?
Cats have something of a penchant for staring at things that fascinate them, and that can include the TV screen.
But can they actually see what’s on? Do they have some kind of opinion on different TV shows? Or are they just mesmerized by the flickering lights?
In this article, I’ll explore whether or not our feline friends can truly see what’s on the screen and share some surprising insights and research. Spoiler alert: cats can see TV – just not quite the same way that we do.
A Cat’s Eye View: How Cats See The World
Cats see the world differently from humans for several different reasons.
Can Cats See In The Dark?
The retinas in cats’ eyes are densely packed with photoreceptor cells called rods. The rods are responsible for a cat’s vision in low light levels.
Additionally, a cat’s eyes also have an extra reflective layer (called the tapetum lucidum) that reflects light.
With these two features combined, cats are uniquely adapted to be able to see in low-light conditions – hence their fabled ability to “see in the dark.”
This is perfect for hunting at dawn and dusk when cats are at their most active.
The high density of rod cells also helps cats detect slight movements with great accuracy, even from a distance.
What Colors Can Cats See?
The feline eye has a smaller number of color receptor cells (known as cones) than the human eye, so cats see the world in less vivid color than we do.
Because of the types of cones cats have, we know they can see blue colors and anything at the violet end of the spectrum, but they see colors at the red and orange end more as dull grays (Pollard and Shoults, 2019; Lewis, 2022).
Are Cats Short-Sighted?
Cats are more near-sighted than humans, meaning they cannot see objects clearly from a distance.
So what a human can see clearly from 100 feet away, a cat would need to be 20 feet away to see it just as clearly.
Again, this range of vision could be attributed to cats’ evolutionary history as crepuscular hunters (i.e. dawn and dusk), which required them to be able to see clearly in low-light situations at close range.
What Do Cats See When They Watch TV?
While some cats do show an interest in watching TV, it is unclear exactly what they see or how they perceive it.
What we can be sure of is that it’s different from what we see, due to their different vision capabilities.
For example, while cats can’t pick up color or fine details the way humans do, they are able to detect movement and changes in contrast. This means that your cat can make out the shapes and silhouettes on the screen.
However, as cats don’t have the same depth perception that humans do, it they won’t be able to pick up on details like facial expressions and other subtle nuances.
Flat Screen vs. Cathode Ray Tube TVs
Modern flat-screen TVs have higher frame rates than older cathode ray tube (CRT) TVs.
Why does this matter?
Because these advances in digital technology result in smoother motion (which is more realistic) and less flicker on the screen.
According to Science Norway, humans only need to see about 16 to 20 images, or frames, a second to perceive what we see as continuous film (as opposed to flickering images), whereas dogs need about 70 images per second, and cats 100.
A modern flat-screen TV also has less blue light exposure when compared to the older CRT screen. Does this matter? No one is really sure – yet.
It is, however, possible that the higher frame rates and reduced flicker of newer TVs make them more appealing to cats than older TVs, which may have appeared to flicker more or produce less clear images.
Do Cats Enjoy Watching TV?
Research shows that how cats respond to what they see on TV is partly dependent on how strong their hunting instincts are – especially when they see the shapes and outlines of another cat or prey animal.
Watch out for the clues that your cat is paying attention to what he sees on the small screen – dilated pupils, a stiffened body, and flattened ears are possible signs of stress, while narrow pupils, ears forward, and an upright posture show he’s more intrigued.
Responding To Shapes And Sounds
Anecdotally, I can report that I’ve had, over my many years of living with cats, seen cats swat at the TV screen – or, indeed, computer screen – to try to “catch” a tennis ball in flight or a flapping bird.
I’ve also seen cats go right up to the screen to take a closer look, or even try to get behind it as they try to figure out where the bird/fish/cat/whatever other animal they were just watching, has gone.
Our cats often respond with great interest to any sound of meowing or purring. sometimes chirruping at the TV or looking vigilant as they try to work out what’s happening.
After all, they can see an intruder but there’s no scent. How strange!
Looking For Attention?
Perhaps most common of all, our cats love to sit right in front of the screen when you’re trying to watch a crucial play in a football match, check the score in a tennis match, or read the subtitles on the latest Scandi Noir drama you’re engrossed in.
I suspect this is because it’s a nice high place, it’s warm in front of the screen, and also – naturally – they get my undivided attention when they sit there!
The Effect Of TV On The Well-Being Of Shelter Cats
Researchers looked into whether 125 cats in a rescue shelter “liked” watching TV (or not) by exploring the influence of five types of visual stimulation on their behavior.
The 5 types of visual stimulation were:
- No visual stimulation
- Blank television screen
- Televised images depicting humans
- Inanimate movement
- Animate movement
The cats were divided up so 25 of them were randomly assigned to one of the five conditions of visual stimulation for three hours a day, for three days.
Here are the study’s key points:
- Cats spent relatively little time (6.10%) looking at the television monitors.
- Cats exposed to programs depicting animate and inanimate forms of movement spent significantly more time looking at the monitors than those exposed to the moving images of humans or the blank screen.
- The cats’ attention towards the television monitors decreased significantly across their three hours of daily presentation – suggesting they became less curious as they got used to it.
- Visual stimulation influenced certain components of the cats’ behavior.
- Cats in the animate movement category spent significantly less time sleeping and displayed a non-significant trend to spend more time resting and in the exercise area of their pens than those in the other categories of visual stimulation.
- The study suggests that visual stimulation in the form of two-dimensional video sequences may hold some enrichment potential for domestic cats housed in rescue shelters, particularly those with elements of prey items and linear movement.
- Cats may not benefit from this type of enrichment to the same degree as species with more well-developed visual systems, such as primates.
Overall, the results from the study of shelter cats suggest that visual stimulation in the form of moving TV images – notably that combining elements of natural prey items (small animals such as birds, rodents, and fish) and linear movement – may be enriching for domestic cats housed in rescue shelters, particularly those without access to a window (Ellis & Wells, 2007).
The Downsides Of TV As Enrichment For Cats
One of the hosts of my favorite radio show (shout out to The Woody Show in Los Angeles!) swears by Cat TV and leaves it on for her two cats every day when she heads out to work.
Personally, I’m not convinced. Your cat is not just going to park himself in front of the TV all day.
He’s far more likely to wander off to find something else to do or just go to sleep.
Anxiety
I can see that perhaps keeping the TV on all day could have value as background noise – either for some relaxing cat music or cat sounds.
But it could also be stressful or cause anxiety (where are those digital cats at anyway?).
If you decide on Animal Planet or cute cat videos as your cat’s guilty pleasure and then he thinks there are other cats or animals in the house, he might start marking his territory.
That’s the last thing you want.
Stress
Alternatively, if the TV is on all day and there’s no way to escape from it, it could just be downright annoying for the resident cats – especially if the volume is high and there are lots of loud noises, or the flickering is too intense.
Frustration
There’s also the issue of frustration.
Cats with a high prey drive may become frustrated with their inability to catch prey they see on the screen, and may even try to attack the TV itself.
It’s a similar problem to laser pointers. You need to let your cat “catch” something from time to time so he can complete his predatory sequence.
You can do this by throwing down a physical toy like a furry mouse for him to grab and bite when he’s pouncing on that little red dot from the laser pointer.
But with something on the TV, that could be a little more challenging.
Risk of Injury/Accident
There is also a chance that your cat could get a little too enthusiastic and swats the screen a bit too hard.
He could break it, or if it’s not connected to the wall, could knock it over.
All in all, while some type of cat TV might be a possible enrichment option for cats who are sedentary or recovering from illness or injury, for your average house cat, there are probably more species-appropriate ways for him to pass his time.
Types Of Enrichment For Cats
Cats have evolved to hunt, explore and play.
As such, enrichment is essential as it provides them with opportunities to engage in natural behaviors which can improve their physical and mental health.
When cats cannot fulfill these innate behaviors, they can become bored, frustrated, and stressed – potentially leading to behavior problems such as aggression or inappropriate elimination. Pet parents of indoor cats should be extra aware of this.
Environmental Enrichment
Food puzzle feeders can engage your cat’s “seeking” system by making him seek out and work for his food.
Other options for mental stimulation include window seats with a view for bird watching, hiding tasty treats around the house for kitty to find, and cat grass.
Multiple Resources
Providing multiple resources can help reduce stress and tension in the home environment – especially if you have more than one cat.
Options include:
- Hiding places
- Vertical spaces like high perches and cat trees
- Cardboard boxes
- Multiple food and water stations
- Variety of scratching post types at different angles (vertical/horizontal/diagonal)
- Selection of litter boxes with the cats’ preferred litter
Play
Play is a fun and positive activity that can help switch cats from negative to positive emotional states.
Toys that allow cats to stalk, chase, and pounce can provide that necessary outlet for predatory behavior.
There are various types of cat toys available, including DIY toys and electronic toys that move and make noise, wand toys with a feather on the end, and a good old-fashioned piece of string.
Clicker Training
Clicker training can help provide a mental workout for cats by encouraging them to engage in problem-solving and learning new behaviors.
The process involves using a clicker to mark the desired behavior, followed by a treat or reward.
It’s a great way to stimulate their minds and a fun way to bond.
Here are some ideas from Cat School Clicker Training on tricks and behaviors you can teach your cat. If that’s not enough of a mental workout, I don’t know what is!
Outdoor Enrichment
A catio or enclosed outdoor space, accessible via a window or cat flap, can provide fresh air and sunshine while keeping cats safe from harm.
Walking your cat on a harness leash is another good way to help him safely explore his surroundings.
Start gradually and let the cat get used to wearing a harness and leash before taking him for walks. You should also have plenty of treats on hand and go at the cat’s pace.
If you can’t do any of that, bring the outdoors in.
You can bring in a selection of leaves, branches, and grass for your cat to sniff – but make sure none of them are toxic for cats. The ASPCA has a handy list so you can check in advance.
