My little cat leo was always fond of attacking my tv, I was very worried about the whole situation , and it gave me very great concern- I who buys two TV sets in a space of 5 months?
I won’t lie; the thought of giving up my cat for adoption crossed my mind so many times. But I just couldn’t, he is legit so adorable.
Two years back, I visited a friend with my new cat to show him because I was really excited about my new purchase. Shortly after he put on his TV, it immediately went for their television set and started scratching the screen with its claws.
You can tell the how shocked and embarrassed I was.
I had to carry out some researches and ask a lot of questions to understand why he did that in the first place and these were my finding;
Cats will do just anything just to get your attention and yes, this includes scratching your TV. It can also be because of their curious nature, they are probably wondering why there are moving figures on the screen.
It‘s not very kind of us to think that cats have no emotions or feelings. Just like humans, the also react or respond to their environment and such response could also be attacking the TV. Perhaps they are fascinated by it because they’ve not seen anything like it or just want your attention.
However, the popular question on how to stop my cat from attacking my TV is what I’m here to talk about.
The best way to stop your cat from attacking your TV is by providing it with a more fun activity. Positive response or no response at all will only increase this behavior at a larger scale.
At first I thought scolding or shouting at my cat will scare him away, but I kid you not, it didn’t.
I recently just found out that punishments do not work on cats, they’ll end up giving you a piece of their medicine in their own way- I learned this the hard way.
Do cats understand when they watch TV?
Your first thought would most probably be NO, but you’ll be fascinated at just how much cats are able to comprehend and understand with that tiny brain of theirs.
A few examinations have shown that cats can recognize symbolism on TV, as we realize that they can easily recognize blueprints, patterns and surfaces. Be that as it may, we don’t know with sureness what they see the pictures or images on the screen to be.
Leo was particularly interested in watching animal channels like Natgeo Wild. He would completely zone out and just stare at the TV until I changed the channel. Especially if that episode talked about cats.
Utterly Fascinating if you ask me.
As for whether cats understand what they watch, the answer to this is still uncertain. I’ll definitely update this blog if I come across any findings.
Why Is My Cat Obsessed with TV?
Just like Leo, other cats are very curious animals, they love to know everything. Cats are very interested in visual cues and also sound.
Some cats love staring at the TV. Their minds interacts with the images a lot quicker than our own, so they see TV screens at a glint, arousing their curiosity. Cats with a solid hunting drive are bound to sit in front of the TV. They think that other animals are in a similar room as them, however this can lead to behavioral issues assuming you leave the TV on for so long.
Cats tend to mimic humans. If you’re addicted to the television, your cat may also be interested in joining in. Cats appreciate owners attention and energy , joining in might be their perfect opportunity for some bonding.
Why is my cat suddenly afraid of the TV?
Leo was all fun and interested in watching and scratching my TV, after I curbed the scratching habit, he became scared of the TV all of a sudden.
Like could his issues get any worse????
Regardless, I learned that the sudden change in his reaction to the TV was as a result of behavioral changes. I figured I let him watch TV just a little too much than required and it messed with his behavior.
I must confess, it’s funny what these creatures go through!
Another reason why your cat may become afraid of the TV is because of high pitched noise coming from the TV. Because they use a bigger portion of their sense of hearing, it might be a little bit overbearing for them and they become startled and scared.
Is it bad for your cat to watch TV?
The answer is definitely a no.
Cats watching TV is a very normal behavior for them. After all they are very visual and curious animals and attracted to visual cues and sounds.
I’d definitely not stop leo from watching TV. But let’s bear in mind that too much of everything is also not advisable. If you’re going to allow your Cat watch TV, it should be supervised and monitored. The TV shouldn’t be left on for too long, and you shouldn’t let your Cats stay up late watching TV.
As much as they may not understand what they are watching, it can also develop into a habit over time. They might begin to develop behavioral issues which include not being able to tell what is real to what they see in the TV. This may pose a really big threat, and if you notice that your cat is displaying any of such traits, please visit your vet doctor for further diagnoses and clarifications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cat TV frustrate cats?
It’s only natural to feel like your cat is being frustrated by watching other cats on TV. However, it’s completely the opposite. They’re really fascinated by the channel if you ask me.
Are cats that watch TV smarter?
Television can really be great enhancement if the kitty appears to focus on it. Shows birds, fish, or rodents can keep a cat intellectually sharp and enhanced.
Can cats be addicted to TV?
Yes, they can, but it isn’t a common case for cats to become dependent on TV. Cats with a higher prey drive appear to turn out to be more engaged in what’s on the screen, which can cause it to appear as though they’re dependent.
Final Words
I love my cat, but he does behave weird sometimes. If your cat is still scratching at your TV, you might want to have that checked out.
In summary, Cats will not respond to punishment. They are very tricky animals and might likely repay such punishment with 10 folds- or not.
Try concentrating on creating a distraction that is more fun for your cat rather than yelling or punishing your cat.
On the long run, you’ll be glad you took my advice; you can also distract them by scattering treats and cookies around and in different rooms to get their attention.
How did you curb this habit? Let us know the procedure you took in the comment section below.
Cheers!