Why does my cat love to watch TV?

Can cats see and understand what they’re watching on the screen? Do they watch TV and think, “Wow, what a great show?

Not really – like humans, cats use vision and hearing to engage with TV, but cats are also drawn to electronic screens because some videos appeal to a cat’s innate hunting instincts.

Cats are curious creatures that are highly responsive to visual cues and interesting sounds. They require mental stimulation, which is what television provides cats. Some cats love watching TV. Their brains process images much faster than ours, so they see television screens as a flicker, piquing their interest

There are several possible reasons why some cats are more devoted screen watchers than others. For one screen-watching cat may have a higher prey drive and are more likely to be attracted to the quick movements of objects across the screen. Some studies have indicated that cats are able to identify imagery on TV, as we know that they can distinguish between outlines, patterns, and textures.

As explained in the Merck Veterinary Manual, a cat’s cone cells give them “excellent visual acuity and binocular vision,” and give them the ability to see different colors. Because they have fewer cones than humans, cats can’t see a full spectrum of color, but kitties can see red, green, and blue. However, cats have more rods than humans, which is why they have much sharper vision than humans in dim light — up to six times better than their pet parents, says Merck.

Because of the structure of their eyes, cats are more likely to engage in television that contains a combination of red, green, and blue paired with swiftly moving objects.

So, there’s really nothing to worry about, and the fascinating facts behind why your cat loves to watch TV are so perfect for you to snuggle up together for some downtime.