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There’s never been a better time for television.
Once upon a time the best shows would take a hiatus for the summer. You’d spend the months of June and July watching reruns and knowing that when school started again, you’d be back to the grind but with new episodes of Family Ties to show for it.
But now after you finish a marathon of Difficult People, you can move right on to Documentary Now, Drunk History, or Last Man on Earth.
One good show ends and another begins – over and over again.
Or you can happen upon a series you missed the first time around and binge watch it in a weekend, suddenly enamored with a show from 2012.
These days, though, I’m watching a lot of oversized teacups, where little birds come to snack.
Let me backtrack a bit.
One morning Avon and I were curled up in bed, and I pulled up a home video of him on my computer. He was immediately enamored by his own image.
(Smart cat. He is adorable.)
He pawed at his face, and turned his head quizzically at the sound of his own voice.
I was amazed, because none of our other cats have ever held the slightest bit of interest for anything on a screen. It was as if they couldn’t make out the images at all – like people who were unable to see anything in those Magic Eye posters in the 90’s.
Encouraged by his interest, I did a quick search for “videos for cats to watch” on YouTube, and there was a huge line-up.
Avon watched in amazement as birds flew in front of him. He tried to catch them with his furry paw, and even walked behind the computer trying to find them.
After that, every night as I got into bed, ready to check my email before sleep, Avon curled up in the crook of my arm as if to say, “Okay, time to watch our movies.”
We’d watch birds on tree stumps, birds on tiny picnic tables, birds on dirt paths… Until we were both tired and ready to doze off.
One night David and I were relaxing in the living room and decided to pull up the YouTube app and watch videos for cats from the comfort of the couch. Jezebel was in her hammock, taking a nap as she’s wont to do.
When the birds onscreen started flitting, flying, and chirping, she looked over in amazement.
“I didn’t know you had that!”
Apparently, all of these years it wasn’t that Jezebel couldn’t see what was onscreen. It was that none of it was interesting for her.
She turned 16 years old this year, and yet we’re still learning new things about her.
We moved the coffee table closer to the TV, so that they would have better access. She perched in front of the screen, ready to grab any of the birds at will.
She stood on her hind legs to bat at them, did her best birdcall, and hunkered down to hide when she decided a sneak attack was the best course of action.
Avon stopped watching the birds to watch Jezebel instead. He looked stunned. He’d never seen this side of her.
He walked over tentatively and touched her face with his paw and meowed, so confused by her reaction.
Now whenever we turn on the TV, she turns eagerly to face it, ready to watch her movies.
(There are videos for cats with other animals, but Jezebel is more engaged with small birds than she is with squirrels, eagles, or swans. She particularly likes the crisp videos by Paul Dinning.)
And when the red YouTube screen comes up, you can visibly see her excitement as she realizes that we’re going to start her shows.
With most things if Avon gets too rambunctious, Jezebel leaves.
(He’s 2 and she’s 16. The age difference doesn’t always work in her favor.)
But with her videos, she’s resolute. She will not leave. He may try to put his arm around her and play. But she stands firm.
“I am not leaving. My shows are on.”
Not only does it add interest to their everyday life, but Jezebel’s mood has seemed to improve. She gets excited watching it play out, and she’s engaged with what’s happening.
It’s like when humans watch a show and laugh, cry, or worry for the actors on screen. She’s totally immersed in the story playing out in front of her.
When David and I walk in to put on Jimmy Fallon or Seth Meyer in the evenings, she hops onto the perch that’s now in front of the TV and looks at the screen eagerly. Often we just put on one of her shows instead, knowing there’s no way that our excitement for seeing the opening monologue could possibly match hers for seeing birds grabbing seeds and flying off.
The films are surprisingly relaxing for me and David, and even the kitties stop their fighting to bond over them. The sounds of chirping and drizzling rain are quite peaceful. And I imagine in the snowy months it will be nice to see signs of life.
So if you have kitties of your own, trying watching videos for cats. You may just see a new side to your favorite furry companions.
Becky Striepe says
This is too cute, Cadry! Now I wonder whether Agnes would like watching videos with us.
Cadry says
Thanks, Becky! You’ll have to give it a shot and let me know what Agnes thought about it. 😀
Dianne's Vegan Kitchen says
This is so cute! Tallulah likes watching cat videos on my iPad, so I’m going to see if I can pull a few up on the tv for her.
Cadry says
Great idea! I love Avon all curled up next to me while we watch on my computer, but he has a lot more room to move (and not step on the keyboard) when it’s on the TV instead.
Bianca says
OMG, I have a feeling this post may be life-changing!! I’m going to try this with my cats this week for sure!
Cadry says
Yay! You’ll have to let me know what they thought!
diana says
Thanks for the reminder! We tried when we were a one cat household but have not tried it since cat #2 joined us. I have a feeling this would be more his cup of tea.
We also once downloaded a cat game on my phone. The cat was mesmerized, but then I realized I didn’t want her monopolizing my phone so I better not get her started on this habit! I care much less about sharing my TV. Ha 🙂
Cadry says
It is interesting how some cats find it engaging while others don’t at all. I hope that kitty #2 is more into it! That’s a good point about cats monopolizing your phone. Now whenever Avon & Jezebel start dropping hints while I’m on the computer or ready to watch TV, I feel kind of guilty turning down their cute little kitty faces. 😀
Mandy says
Oh, my goodness!!!! They are WAY too cute!!! I’m going to have to do this for our cats…love it!
Cadry says
Yes, the cuteness kills me so much! I seriously don’t know who loves this newfound interest more – them or me! I hope your kitties enjoy it too. 😀
Alisa says
This is the cutest thing ever! I SO miss having a cat.
Cadry says
Aw, I hope you’re able to adopt another one someday. They add so much fun to everyday life.
Susan says
This is just too cute! Jezebelle’s face when she was on her cat hammock looking at it… I die!
Sahara is on my lap right now, and I just pulled up a bird video on YouTube for her, but she didn’t care.
Cadry says
It really brought out the stalker in Jezebel! Anytime that she acts like a kitten again, it makes me really happy. That’s too bad that Sahara wasn’t interested. You could always try again with a different kind of animal. Jezebel loves watching little birds, but she has no interest in animals who crawl or are bigger than her.
Le Andrus says
My Silke likes the fish videos best!
Cadry says
That’s interesting, Le!
Sara Hohn says
OMG the cuteness! I can’t wait to try this on my 19 year old little dude. I think he’ll like it!
Cadry says
Awesome! I hope he loves it, Sara. 😀
Regina says
Hi Cadry, I just stumbled upon your blog when I was on YouTube, looking at “videos for cats” that were posted by Paul Dinning. You mentioned in a comment that you had videos of your cats watching Paul’s videos. Your pics, and commentaries, are adorable!!! My housemate had told me that she shows Paul’s videos to one of my cats, and my kitty (and now, more than just the one!) just loves them. As it turns out, my housemate recently decided to become vegan, so I think it’s just one of those things that falls into your lap when you least expect it. I will be telling my housemate about your blog, so, full-circle, I guess!
I watch a lot of Nature Shows on Public TV, and one time I was watching one on Crows, and how intelligent they are. Well, the first couple of minutes of the show is just people talking. Then, they got to the crows!!! I had a cat that as soon as those crows started cawing, he perked up, and walked halfway over to the TV and would not look away. So, I played that show a bunch of times, just because he liked it!
My housemate is home more than I am, so she gets to spend more time with my kitties, and she turned me on to the cat videos, now, I will pass along your website to her!
Thank you for commenting on Paul Dinning’s YouTube page!