Cats have long been the subject of funny videos online. YouTube and many other video sites continually provide user-generated media of cats acting strange, looking cute, or just doing their usual activities. We watch them, but do they watch TV with us when we’ve got it on?

What do our cats see on the television?

Cats have a very different vision from humans. Televisions and monitors all have a ‘screen refresh rate’ measured in hertz. Many TVs work on 50-60hz, a continuous image for human eyes. However, this rate doesn’t work very well for cats. They are more likely to see flickering images because the receptors in their eyes cannot capture the whole picture.

However, some fancy new televisions can operate at over 100hz. These newer models can give your cat a full image of the screen, more so than older hardware. That said, their experience is still likely to be in less colour and with much less clarity than we see.

While you might want to think that your cat is a big fan of Severance on Apple TV, the reality is probably not the case. Moreover, they are more likely just intrigued by the screen's lights, colours, sounds and moving pictures. Not the dystopian narrative. 

What attracts cats to the TV?

Usually, a stimulus subject initially draws our cats to the screen. One common theme is that their hunting instincts are awoken by seeing prey-type animals on television. If a programme shows birds, fish, or rodents on the screen, our cats could become interested in watching and potentially hunting them!

Another stimulus is seeing other cats on the screen. Depending on your cat’s temperament, they can be very territorial over their space. If a neighbouring cat has ever stepped into the garden, you may have heard your feline friend meowing like crazy. (or is it just my cat?)

If you’re watching a sports fixture, you may want to follow the ball's movement in the game. Potentially wanting to catch Maria Sakkari’s back-hand return or commit an intentional handball when Leeds United are on the break.

Hunting instincts can be awoken

If you’re watching a nature documentary or anything with animal noises, especially from other cats, then it is common for your feline to be intrigued by the sounds. The natural hunter in them will want to assess what is happening. That might mean trying to launch an attack at the source of the sound or even the screen.

TV grazing for your cats?

Primetime TV isn’t complete without a few snacks. Whether it’s the big game or a Saturday night movie, it’s not complete without a snack! Why not indulge your cat with some of our Innocent Cat treats while you’re watching TV together?

Or if you’re in the market for entirely new cat food, we have two great nutritious and delicious flavours for them to devour. Check out our product pages to see which is best for your cat.