Is cat TV good for cats?

Updated 04/09/2024

Cat TV for cats is a thing in 2024 and it has been for several years. These shows are designed to attract your cat’s attention to a TV screen to offer them mental stimulation, calming vibes, or a mixture of the two. They generally consist of nature scenes with small animals appearing to set off their prey drive. Sounds harmless, right? Right?! Is cat TV good for cats?

We’ll help you flick through the noise and chaos on the internet to determine whether cats watching TV should become the new normal or if it needs to be switched off. Don’t change the channel just yet - with no ad breaks, is cat TV bad for cats?

Are cats able to see what’s on a TV screen?

Yes, they can, particularly if you own a new TV. Cats have similar light receptors in their eyes to us so they can read and detect the same images we can. While they can’t see all the colors we can (mostly yellows and blues), a cat’s eyes are very sensitive to movement.

On an older TV screen, your kitty probably won’t see things move as smoothly as we do. While we only need 20 frames a second for our vision to see something moving, cats require 100 frames a second. That’s why they’re more likely to show an interest in newer TVs which have a very high frame rate.

Is it bad for cats to watch TV?

Ah, the age-old question, is TV bad for us? Physical health-wise, a TV screen is harmful to kitties, although it’s best to make sure they aren’t point-blank staring into the screen. A close-up of the intense light from a TV can cause your cat eye problems, but it can also do that to humans too.

Mentally, however, that’s up to you as their pet parent or carer to decide. How much TV should we all be watching really? While videos and cat TV for cats can provide added stimulation for them, they shouldn’t be their own source of entertainment. 

Do cats like cat TV?

Every cat has its own tastes and preferences, so TV might not be for all felines, but if there’s something worth watching they’ll certainly make time to stop and stare. It’s thought that indoor cats are more likely to react to TV as they’re not familiar with the outside world. Some kitties will only look over if a cat TV show is on, while others enjoy sports matches like soccer or rugby as they’re able to follow the ball on screen. However, they’re probably less likely to join in with the chants and cheering.

Is cat TV good for cats?

Again, nothing is coming off or out of a TV that’s going to greatly improve the health of your furry friend. But, there’s also very little that can cause them harm. Cats need a variety of mental stimulation each day and cat TV for cats can provide that. You may find they’re more likely to sit with you during certain movies and appear to watch them with you. Avoid putting anything on with jumpscares or other animals running at the TV screen - it can cause unnecessary stress for your kitty and even put them off TV for good!

What do cats like to watch on TV?

As much as we would like to send a survey directly to our feline friends, we have a feeling we might fall short on responses. As far as we know, there’s definitely a trend towards cats paying more attention to the TV when small animals are on, or anything that’ll trigger their prey drive.

Shows for cats

While places like Amazon Prime have videos you can pay for and download, you’re actually better just heading to YouTube. There are hundreds of shows for cats that are completely free and run for several hours (some even for a whole day). These are often created by someone placing a camera in their garden, next to a load of bird seed and nuts, to attract wildlife your cat would like to stare out (or eat, if they could).

Be mindful about switching up the entertainment, however. Cats are great at detecting patterns, so if you try to put on the same video on repeat, they’ll know. They always know! Watch out for YouTube channels that may do this.

Meet our veterinary expert, Emma

This article has been checked by veterinarian Emma Chandley, BVetMed MRCVS PGCertSAS. Emma graduated from the Royal Vet College in London in 2011. She has a keen interest in surgery and went on to do a postgraduate certificate in small animal surgery and was then awarded advanced practitioner status in the same discipline.

Is searching for cat care giving you square eyes? Have a look at all the local cat sitters currently near you who would love to keep your cat company while you’re away. Otherwise, head to our Community Forum to share your cat TV antics with other feline fanatics.