Catflix & Chill: The Wednesday Cats of Catster Watch TV

Welcome to the Wednesday Cats of Catster! Every month, we ask our cat-loving Catsters to weigh in on a new topic. This week, we asked them to tell us how their cats react to TV and music. Here's what they had to say:

Crystal & Ivy

Hi Catsters!

If Ivy were a person, she’d be one of those ‘off-the-grid’ types. No social media, no phone, and definitely no TV in the house.

Ivy doesn’t respond to the TV or music at all! In fact, as I mentioned in my last post, I think she thinks it’s very weird that we stare at a rectangle for hours on end most days. She’s much more interested in snoozing next to us while we watch TV!

There was one time, however, when she was unusually interested in the TV. Remember that interesting documentary, ‘The Secret Life of Cats’? When it first came out back in 2022, I obviously had to watch it!

I never pass up an opportunity to learn more about our mysterious felines.

Anyway, I digress! We started watching the documentary, and her eyes didn’t leave the TV screen! Maybe it’s because she saw other cats on the screen, or maybe it’s because she was genuinely interested. I guess we’ll never know!

I’ve always wanted to try playing cat-specific music (yes, it’s a thing!) and see how she reacts. In fact, I think I’m going to go do that right now – I’ll keep you guys posted!

Does your kitty enjoy some TV time or listening to tunes?

Isabel & Milly

I’ve seen cats who love TV. They actively sit and follow the pictures and movements. Some with impressive precision! Milly is not one of those cats. Unlike Shelby, one of Milly’s lockdown babies, who loved to watch Love Island with us!

But Milly? No. She couldn’t care less about what happens on the weird portal in the wall we stare at nightly. I’ve seen her looking at us in complete confusion over why we stare at, laugh at, or discuss the bright, loud rectangle on a frequent, almost habitual basis. She’s oftentimes perplexed, but she doesn’t seem to actually notice, follow, or be interested in what’s happening on the telly.

Does that stop me from putting on Catster YouTube videos so she can still hear my and other people’s voices when I need to leave the house? Nope. I do it every time.

Maybe the sounds of the TV affect, entertain, or soothe her, but I doubt she looks at it and goes, “Hey! That lady talks, walks, and resembles that human parent of mine. Neat!”.

Besides, there are conflicting theories and perceptions of whether cats can recognize human faces. Studies have indeed shown that cats’ primary recognition skills lie within their scent and hearing abilities. The verdict is still out on whether cats can recognize our faces, demeanors, body language, etc., at all, or maybe just not in the way we think they would!

When it comes to music, however, Milly takes after her father. She loves music! I’ve seen her react to her dad playing guitar and singing - she just stares at him in absolute awe (well, we both do!). Even when I sing to her multiple times a day, as far from professionally as humanly possible, she still reacts to it!

For those of you who have discovered me singing one of her songs on a mini-podcast we did on Catster, you’ll know what she hears at least 12 times a week. If she’s in the vicinity, she’ll perch her tail up in the air, walk over to me in a very cutesy way, purr, and even let out a couple of squeaky meows when I sing to her! It’s adorable. I’ll try to post a video on socials sometime!

How does your cat react to TV and music? And please don’t tell me I’m the only person who sings to their cat…  Spill the tunes!

Cheers vir eers!

(Cheers for now!)

Wes & Raphael

Raphy isn’t often interested in any form of media. Most of the time, he simply lounges around, whatever the music, and whatever the programme, without a care in the world. Most of the time, he’s far more interested in sleeping, cuddling, resting – basically any form of relaxation that requires a lack of activity.

Once in a while, though, Raphy is in the mood. He’ll sit bolt upright, eyes engaged, ready to enjoy the sights before him. We’ve noticed, very strangely, this tends to relate to little furry prey on the screen – whether squirrels or mice.

Sometimes when I’m doing something else, I now find myself putting some rodents on the screen, just so he has something to enjoy! I’ve heard plenty of times about “kids ruined by screen time;” I didn’t realise that cats could be ruined by screen time, too. Next, he’ll be meowing about just one more episode of “Peppa Pig!”

Maybe this is why we still can’t get him to focus on any music? He can’t see the animal in question! If you ever see me putting on some “mouse music” and throwing on some furry round ears, then you know Raphy’s demands have finally gone a step too far!