fter a long day we all like to put our feet up and switch on the telly for a while and tune out of the day’s worries. More and more, people are finding their dogs enjoy the same. It’s not just that television companies have upped their doggy-scheduling game; with the advent of high-definition television and improved technology, dogs now find it far easier to watch our screens.
Partially this is down to how dogs’ eyes work: they see at a faster frequency than human eyes, meaning that older television looks similar to them as how stuttering film from the 1920’s looks to us. They also see in a different range of colours, having a spectrum from yellow to blue. Doggyvision also has less acuity, meaning they’re less able to tell distinct shapes, but they’re well capable of detecting movement and recognise animals and other dogs readily.
Many people find that their dogs particularly enjoy watching programmes which feature other dogs, and enjoy watching them play with humans. Perhaps it appeals to their pack instincts, or perhaps they simply want to join in with the fun. It depends somewhat on their breed: sighthounds are inclined to chase and follow visual leads, so may be more likely to watch the box than more nose-orientated breeds.
"Wake me up when it's time for Attenborough"
It’s not just dogs who like to get square eyes. Many cats like to watch television, although their tastes tend more towards nature programmes and shows featuring animals they’d typically hunt. It’s theorised that, being ambush predators, being able to watch animals that don’t respond to their presence, gives them a feeling of godlike omnipotence, although for many felines that’s their default attitude anyway!
Of course, it’s not just the sights that appeal to our pets, but the sounds of animals cavorting on the other side of the screen can hold their attention too. What they lack in ability when it comes to sight, they more than make up for with hearing. Many animals will react strongly to the sound of an animal purring, chasing, barking or mewling.
Not all cats and dogs will like any old show; they’re all individuals and will have their own tastes – and attention span. Perhaps your dog enjoys the classics – 101 Dalmations springs to mind – or perhaps your cat is more of an Animal Planet type. Many simply prefer a window to look out of, but until somebody invents a paw-shaped remote, we’ll never really be sure what their favourite shows are.
Does your dog or cat have a favourite programme? Let us know in the comments box below.
