TV for dogs - for cats?

Yes, DOGTV is just what it sounds like: TV for dogs. It sounds a little out there, we know. But there are millions of pets around the globe who tune in to watch. While the programming is created based on canine research, there are lots of kitties who enjoy watching DOGTV too. So many, in fact, that DOGTV is celebrating National Hug Your Cat Day (Saturday, June 4, mark your calendars!) with a full week of programming created just for cats.

Fun fact: DOGTV was inspired by a cat. The idea began when DOGTV founder Ron Levi had to leave his cat Charlie home alone during the day. Just as any doting pet parent would, he spent hours putting together the ideal YouTube playlists to keep Charlie entertained in his absence, and soon realized he may have stumbled on to a big idea. As Levi began to research ideas for a channel called PetTV, he realized that dogs would really benefit from specialized TV programming. He decided to focus exclusively on their needs, and DOGTV was born.

What Does the Science Say About TV for Cats?

Levi believed that a key component to his PetTV idea was that it should be rooted in scientific research. He quickly shifted his focus to how dogs experience TV, but he and his team had already unearthed a lot of knowledge about how cats watch TV. 

Levi’s research had already revealed that:

• Many cats spend hours perched on a windowsill watching the world go by. Similarly, cats enjoy watching TV, especially when there are birds or other small animals on screen.

• Some research shows that cats confined to a windowless room can demonstrate signs of improved wellbeing if they are given a TV to watch. 

• When cats can view TVs from a distance and lie down in front of them, it can provide them a sense of calm and relaxation before they fall asleep.

• Because of the biological structure of their eyes, cats are most likely to engage in tv programming that features a combination of red, green, and blue images. 

• Cats process images faster than humans at 70-80Hz, so the quicker the movement on screen, the more interest cats show in the programming.

• Because their eyes are designed for low-light vision, bright TV screens have the capability to slightly blind cats temporarily. (Don’t worry - cats have the ability to contract their pupils to restrict the light, which minimizes this effect.)

DOGTV, Customized For Cats 

Levi and his team pored over dozens of research studies to determine that TV can be beneficial for both dogs and cats, providing mental stimulation and helping to reduce anxiety. The DOGTV team reviewed the dog-specific research they found, and created a recipe for tv content that is entertaining and calming for pups. They already have a number of feline fans that enjoy the canine content. But to celebrate Cat Week, DOGTV went back to their roots and created special content based on their feline research. 

• They’ve created content with the brightness adjusted for sensitive feline eyes, so as not to give cats that unpleasant “just walked out of a dark room into the bright sunshine” feeling.

• That thing you’ve probably heard about dogs seeing in black and white? It’s not true. A dog’s vision is actually similar to a human with red-green color blindness, so DOGTV is  color-adjusted to ensure that dogs are able to see the images. For Cat Week, they have adapted that process for the cat content. Because of the way a cat’s eyes are built, they are more likely to engage with television that contains a combination of red, green, and blue shades. The colors may look a little odd to you, but it’s just right for your pets.

• Because cats process images faster than humans, the Cat Week content features quick moving images to keep them interested.

• The most common prey for cats are birds, small mammals, and fish, so to pique their interest, the Cat Week videos will include a lot of these creatures on screen.

Our Conclusion: DOGTV is Fun For the Whole Fur Family

If there is one thing dog people and cat people can agree on, it’s that we want to give our furry friends the life they deserve. Studies show that tv can be a tool for increased well-being for both dogs and cats, enriching their environment by providing mental stimulation and helping reduce anxiety. So let your feline friend (or canine companion) enjoy some quality time watching their new favorite shows during DOGTV’s Cat Week.