In today’s world, screens are increasingly becoming a part of our everyday lives, with TVs, phones, and tablets playing an integral role in our daily activities. But have you ever thought about how these screens might impact our pets? Dogs are often the center of many households, and pet owners may be wondering whether their beloved companions are affected by watching TV. The fact is, there is still not enough scientific evidence to provide a definitive answer to this question, but it is worth exploring the potential impacts that watching TV could have on our canine friends. In this blog post, we will dive into the potential pros and cons of exposing dogs to TVs, and explore whether watching TV is ultimately beneficial or harmful for dogs.
Does it really help with anxiety?
TV, according to proponents of the “dog TV culture,” can lessen separation anxiety. Again, it is difficult to say if this really does because there is so little published research on the subject.
However, there has been much research done on the healing properties of sound therapy for dogs. Research suggests dogs respond well to simple, classical music. There has also been researching done on the ways different music affects shelter dogs. Evidence suggests a positive correlation between calming, classical music and relaxation levels in dogs.
Placing your dog in front of the television won’t help your dog if they are acting anxiously. Exercise and mental stimulation are key proponents of overcoming anxiety. Although the television may keep your dog busy, it does not always provide stimulation or engagement. Try leaving a puzzle toy with treats out for your dog to solve if they’re bored during the day. As you leave for work, you can keep your dog occupied by giving him the puzzle, which will also help him feel less anxious. Have a walker come by in the middle of the day if you can, or sign them up for a hike, a cardio trick class, or a trip to the beach!
As dog people, we understand the sense of dread that comes with leaving your buddy behind while you’re out and about without them. Dare we even suggest that you might be feeling guilty about leaving your dog at home all day. Although we frequently believe we know what’s best for our pets, sometimes our preferences aren’t what they actually need.
Giving your pet toys that demand mental stimulation and thought is a great way to help them if you really want to. The stories of couches being chewed and shoes being eaten come from boredom. What your dog is lacking is mental stimulation. You can keep your dog happily occupied, at least temporarily, by playing soothing music, making puzzle toys, or giving him a peanut butter-filled Kong.
There are sometimes good reasons to let your dog watch TV. There is no need to feel guilty about it, provided they aren’t a couch potato.
Do you ever watch TV when no one is home to keep your dog company?
Here’s the deal:
Of course, dogs cannot fully comprehend or appreciate a plot. But that’s not the point.
Do Dogs Watch TV? And What Do They See?
Its not uncommon for dogs to take an interest in nature shows featuring animals moving about, according to Stanley Coren, PhD, a psychology professor and author of several dog books, including “How Dogs Think” and “The Intelligence of Dogs.” On-screen animals must be real to trigger a reaction, though. Cartoon critters just dont spark the interest of our canine friends, Coren says. This is a testament to a dogs ability to accurately interpret what they see.
Do dogs watch TV? Yes, but a pups vision differs from that of a human. Christopher Pirie, a veterinary ophthalmologist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, says that a dog with normal vision sees at 20/60 compared to our 20/20 rating. So if youre watching TV from 6 feet away, your dog would have to be within 2 feet of the screen to see what you see. The farther they are from the screen, the grainer and fuzzier the video will be. This could be why they lie in front of the TV so often.
Dog eyes also process colors differently than human eyes. For instance, our retinas contain three different types of color-detecting cells. Dogs only have two, so they are less saturated and perceive fewer colors than the average person. The color palette of your furry friends includes drab shades of blue, yellow, and green. This limited field of vision, however, dispels the myth that animals can only see in black and white.
Veterinary Vision, a California-based pet clinic focused on eye health, says that a dogs ability to see stems from their field of view and several other factors, including their ability to:
Based on their health, age, and breed, these skills vary among dogs. For instance, a puppy with cataracts won’t see clearly; as their vision deteriorates, they may only be able to distinguish between light and dark contrasts, not colors. Their other senses, such as smell and hearing, will then kick into high gear to assist them in understanding what is happening around them. Because of this, if your dog has cataracts but still gets excited during movie night, it might be because they can hear rather than see.
FAQ
What does it mean if a dog watches TV?
What’s on TV probably has less to do with whether or not your dog likes watching it or appears interested in it than it does with his personality and breed characteristics. Terriers, for instance, who were bred to hunt vermin, may react to movements or squeaks on the screen.
Is watching TV mentally stimulating for dogs?
Placing your dog in front of the television won’t help your dog if they are acting anxiously. Exercise and mental stimulation are key proponents of overcoming anxiety. Although the television may keep your dog busy, it does not always provide stimulation or engagement.
Do dogs like watching TV with dogs?
This research suggests that dogs prefer to watch other dogs, but our studies have also found that sound frequently draws dogs to televisions and other devices at first.