You can find pretty much anything on YouTube. My greatest find so far? Cat TV, of course. There are numerous videos and channels specifically designed for your cat's enjoyment. From hours of calming nature recordings to fast-paced interactive games, you're bound to find something your cat fancies. Just make sure that your TV is physically secured to your stand or wall - you don't want any mid-play mishaps. I ended up mounting the TV on the wall after a few close calls.
I started playing different YouTube channels for the cats while I was using my laptop on the couch so they had something to do while I was busy. They can still cuddle and relax with me, but it is great enrichment for them and the background music is very relaxing, so doesn't distract me if I'm working on something important.
We've tried out a few different channels and I switch them up every once in a while to keep things interesting. Sometimes the cats just lounge and lazily watch the TV and other times they're all up on the TV stand checking out the action. If one of the videos is really captivating, they will sit under the TV together and watch it. Super cute!
I've decided to compile a list of a few YouTube videos that the cats have really enjoyed. There are even more videos provided in the link below. Feel free to check them out! I haven't left the TV on while I was out of the house, but you certainly could keep it on a nature channel for some background noise for the cats. Especially if you have one of those fancy TVs that you can control remotely!
Here is a link to all of the videos we've tried and enjoyed: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXIXvTw5koF0Pqz7Fun655iW50iDPBRYk
8 Hour Bird Bonanza
This is one of my favorite nature channels. It features different birds and is set in the woods, so the scenery is really pretty. There are a variety of birds and the footage includes all seasons, which is neat. I think I enjoy watching this video as much as the cats do.
The camera is quite close to the birds, so they appear large on the screen and captivate your cat's attention. It also features "natural" audio, so it is peaceful to listen to. Since there are various bird calls within the audio, Owen sometimes get confused and looks around the room to try to figure out where the bird is. He eventually realizes that it is coming from the TV.
This would be a great station to leave on while you're away since it is 8 hours of uninterrupted footage. I've left it on for a few hours while I was doing things around the house and the cats settled down and dozed off after some time.
Link to Bird Bonanza: https://youtu.be/xbs7FT7dXYc
Squirrels and Woodland Birds Spectacular
I like this video because it features both birds and squirrels (and the squirrels are particularly cute), so you get a little bit of variety. The cats like when the squirrels run out of the frame and magically disappear; they try to look for them behind the TV screen and in the shelves under the TV .
As with the previous nature video, the scenery is really pretty and the video features "natural" audio. Since the squirrels and birds come and go from the video, it keeps the cats interested and you get some really good variety.
Link to Squirrels and Woodland Birds Spectacular: https://youtu.be/mOF4CazF2vU
Coral Reef Aquarium Collection
This is a 12 hour video of tropical fish in an aquarium. There is relaxing music in the background that I've totally fallen asleep to. This is a video that the cats enjoy lazily watching rather than "playing" with. They will sit on the couch with me and become captivated by the movement of the fish. I don't know if it was specifically meant for feline viewers, but it is certainly cat-approved.
Link to Coral Reef Aquarium Collection: https://youtu.be/P7EB3Zxqj7g
String String Thing - Oliver's Ultimate Favorite
This is a two hour interactive video that is literally just a red string that travels around the screen. It is so simple, but absolutely mesmerizing for those cats with high prey drive.
Oliver will spend 15 minutes at a time trying to catch the string and checking around back behind the TV to see if he can find it, then pouncing at the screen again (this is the reason I advised securing your TV to something sturdy).
Owen also really enjoys this video. He will stalk the string and then pounce. Sometimes he will look for the string under the TV and turns it into his own game of hide and seek.
There is background music, but I tend to turn it off since it is the same sound over and over again and then there is a random cat meow that is a little startling. I don't think it adds anything to the experience and it is kind of annoying after a while (for the human).
When play time comes to an end, make sure to leave a treat on the TV stand (or wherever your cat is playing) to mimic "catching" the string. We don't want any frustrated kitties!
Link to String String Thing: https://youtu.be/LVnrbp8DPO4
If you're looking for a low-key way to hang out with your kitty on a rainy day or looking for some TV entertainment, definitely give cat TV a try! And if you find any exciting new videos, please let me know and I'll try them out!
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