Can Cats Watch Baby Sensory Videos? Is It Good for Them? (Vet-Reviewed)

Indoor cats are wonderful pets and companions that bring millions of people joy and comfort. However, one drawback to being an indoor cat is the need for more stimulation. Like any intelligent animal, indoor cats can get bored, especially without the stimulation the outdoors provide. To keep them engaged, many cat parents show videos to their cats. That begs the question: are baby sensory videos good for cats, and can you show your cats this type of video?

The answer is that you can show baby sensory videos to your cats, but it remains unclear whether they will benefit from it in any way. The sounds and colors used are adjusted to human baby requirements, not felines, so cats may not find it particularly interesting, but rather annoying.

However, other video subjects, especially videos of birds, mice, and small animals, might help stimulate your cat and draw their interest. Make sure to limit their exposure to such videos, as not being able to “catch” perceived prey on the screen may lead to frustration.

A mix of several videos is suggested to keep your cat engaged and happy, but this cannot replace required daily physical exercise and playtime, or environmental enrichment.

Do Cats Like Baby Sensory Videos?

Cat owners have been showing videos to their cats for as long as videos have been made, and some cats seem to enjoy sensory videos immensely. The good news is that no matter the video, anecdotal evidence shows that sensory videos are unlikely to be harmful to cats, although they may find them annoying and choose to simply walk away. Some cats might like them, love them, or simply ignore them.

Cats that are more prey-driven and have a strong hunting instinct are typically more entertained by sensory videos than cats that are more sedentary, but this may vary depending on their personality. Either way, sensory videos should be limited as they may lead to frustration.

What Kind of Videos Do Cats Like Most?

The type of sensory video your cat likes depends on your cat. Most cats love sensory videos focusing on mice, birds, and fish. Like us, all cats are unique and have unique tastes, likes, and dislikes.

Cats tend to like watching sensory videos featuring animals they see as prey. They are most attracted to videos where something is always moving and prefer high-contrast and colorful images (even though they can't see all the colors).

Is Visual Stimulation Good for Cats?

Visual stimulation can be fun and entertaining for some younger cats and adults; it may help their stress levels and help them feel more relaxed and at peace when used reasonably and in moderation. However, if overdone, it can also lead to frustration and even anxiety if the cat is constantly unable to "catch" the perceived prey or shape on a screen. Using videos should be well-balanced, but cannot replace physical exercise and playtime.

Some studies suggest that visual stimulation may hold some enrichment value for cats, particularly in a shelter environment, but they will eventually get used to it, so it should be used in moderation and offer a variety. Leaving a sensory video playing during a stressful event like a storm may also benefit some cats that otherwise find it stressful. It creates "white noise" that drowns out the noise and visuals caused by the storm or other anxiety-causing event.

Can Cats Feel Overstimulated by Sensory Videos?

Some cats get overstimulated by videos showing birds or mice, especially as they can’t catch them. This may lead to frustration and displeasure, while some cats may try pawing, scratching, and even leaping at the TV. If that happens, it’s best to redirect them to an actual toy that mimics prey, in order to avoid frustration, while shutting off the video.

What Do Cats See When Watching Sensory Videos?

Cats see TV and video images very differently from humans. Cats have fewer cones, the part of the eye that detects colors, so they see fewer colors than we do. Cats have more rods in their eyes, but they need objects to be quite close in order to see them clearly. However, thanks to the rods, they are better at detecting motion at a distance and see better at dawn and dusk.

The moving images you see on a TV screen may seem like a bunch of random shapes to a cat. For humans, 24 frames per second (fps) is enough to fool our brains into thinking an image is moving, while for cats, this number is higher. In other words, what you see as a movement when watching a sensory video, your cat may see as a series of flickering images on a low refresh rate or an older TV screen, although they will still lack understanding of it.

Why do Some Cats Like Baby Sensory Videos?

One of the main reasons that cats may seem to enjoy baby sensory videos is that most are made with high contrast shapes and contain many quick movements, similar to a mouse or bird in the wild. Because of how they see things, some (but not all) cats are attracted to baby sensory videos. Other cats might not like baby sensory videos but prefer videos of small animals.

How to Know if Your Cat Likes What They're Watching

It's helpful to know your cat's reaction if they like or dislike a particular video you're playing for them. That way, if they aren't enjoying a specific video, you can switch to another or at least turn it off.

Is Watching TV or Another Screen Bad for Your Cat?

Because of how cats see the TV screen, there's very little chance they will damage their eyes, even if they sit close to the screen. However, if the image is too bright, it could irritate and make them uncomfortable.

If your cat is watching a large flat-screen TV, it should be firmly attached to the wall or stand. Some cats might get overzealous and jump at the screen to try and grab what they see. If it's not attached well, the TV could fall over and badly injure your cat (and destroy your TV).

Watching too many videos will eventually lead to frustration, as cats are not able to catch the shapes and potential prey they see on TV. That’s why it’s important to use it in moderation, combined with toys for redirection, so they can feel the high of the chase and finally catch the prey they’ve been stalking. Sensory videos are not a replacement for physical exercise or enrichment, which cats need every day in order to be happy and fulfilled.

Conclusion

You can show baby sensory and other types of videos to your cat in moderation, which may be somewhat beneficial and stimulating based on content and the cat’s individual preferences. Most cats enjoy watching videos with quickly moving objects, contrast colors, and small animals they consider prey, especially birds, rodents, and fish. Baby sensory videos interest cats because they have contrast and moving objects. Some cats may show interest in the sensory videos, while others may ignore them or find them frustrating. All cats are unique, so the best thing to do is put on some sensory videos and see which of them your cat likes best.

Featured Image Credit: SnacksInTheBackpack, Pexels