Have you ever sat down to watch TV, only to have a little furry head pop up and completely block your vision? Is your dog actually watching TV when they sit in front of the screen and stare at it or bark? What exactly is it that attracts your dog to the TV? Can dogs really see TV the way we do? Are they interested in TV shows made for dogs? Let’s find out.
Ever caught your furry friend staring intently at the TV during a dog food commercial? Or maybe you’ve tried FaceTiming with your pup while away on vacation? As a dog owner myself, I’ve often wondered if my golden retriever actually sees me waving frantically on my phone screen or if he’s just reacting to my voice
The truth about dogs and screens is actually pretty fascinating! Let’s dive into what science tells us about how our canine companions perceive the digital world around them.
How Dogs See the World (Spoiler: It’s Different Than Us!)
Before we talk about screens specifically, we gotta understand how dogs see in general. Their vision is quite different from ours in several key ways:
-
Dichromatic vision: Dogs have only two types of color receptors (compared to our three), meaning they see primarily in blue and yellow spectrums. Reds and greens? Not so much!
-
Motion sensitivity Dogs process visual information about 25% faster than we do They’re basically motion detection experts!
-
Hunting-optimized sight Their eyes evolved for hunting, making them excellent at spotting movement from a distance and having strong peripheral vision.
This unique visual system affects how they perceive everything—including what’s happening on your TV and phone screens.
Can Dogs Actually See TV Screens?
Yes, dogs can see TV screens—but what they see is very different from what we see!
Research has confirmed that domestic dogs do show preferences for certain images and videos. Most interestingly, they seem to prefer watching other canines on screen. (No surprise there, right?)
But here’s where it gets interesting. The shift from standard definition to high definition television has actually made a big difference for our furry friends. Vets suspect that the improved flicker rate in HD TVs has allowed dogs to better perceive media shown on television.
My own dog, Baxter, literally perks up whenever there’s a dog barking on TV. At first, I thought it was just the sound catching his attention, but research backs this up—sound often initially attracts dogs to screens, but then the visuals keep them engaged.
What Dogs Actually See on TV
When your pup watches TV, they’re seeing:
- A blue-yellow version of the world (no reds or greens)
- Movement that might appear slightly different due to their faster visual processing
- A somewhat blurrier image than what we perceive
This is why DogTV (yes, that’s a real channel designed specifically for dogs!) prioritizes blue and yellow colors in its programming. Smart, right?
Phone and Tablet Screens: Can Dogs See Them?
Here’s where things get a bit more complicated. While dogs can technically see phone screens, they likely have a harder time with them than with larger TV screens.
According to Dr. Theresa Fossum, a veterinary surgeon quoted in the Rover article, “Phone screens may appear blurry or lack the definition needed for dogs to recognize specific images, especially because screens refresh at a rate that’s not as suited to their visual processing.”
Size definitely matters here. The smaller screen means more compressed images, making it difficult for dogs to pick out specific details—like your face during a video call.
Do Dogs Recognize Us on Screens?
Here’s the million-dollar question many pet parents ask! The research shows mixed results:
On Phone/Tablet Screens:
Most dogs struggle to clearly recognize who’s on a small screen during a video call. While they can detect movement, the compressed images and refresh rates make facial recognition difficult.
On TV Screens:
Some dogs can recognize images on television, especially on large, high-definition sets. The bigger the screen, the better chance your dog has of spotting a face.
In Photographs:
Interestingly, research with Beagles showed they could correctly identify their handler’s face in photographs 88% of the time! However, without scent cues (which dogs rely on heavily), photos still provide limited recognition information.
It’s All About the Voice!
If your dog seems to react when you’re on a video call, they’re probably responding more to your voice than your image. Dogs have amazing hearing and can often recognize voices over the phone.
“Their strong sense of hearing allows them to pick up on familiar tones and vocal patterns, even when transmitted through a phone,” explains Dr. Fossum.
Studies show dogs recognize individual voices and respond more to tone than specific words. This is why your dog might perk up when they hear your happy, excited voice coming through the speaker!
How Dogs Watch TV vs. How We Watch TV
I’ve noticed something funny with my dog—he never just sits and watches TV like I do. Turns out, this is typical dog behavior! Instead of sitting still, dogs will often:
- Approach the screen to get a closer look
- Walk repeatedly between their owner and the television
- Have very short interactions (often under 3 seconds)
- Glance at the TV rather than focus on it like humans do
Research has found that even with media specifically designed for dogs, they still spend most of their time watching… nothing at all! The ideal TV for dogs would contain lots of short snippets rather than long storytelling scenarios.
Signs Your Dog Recognizes You on Screen
Not sure if your dog actually sees you during your video calls? Look for these behaviors:
- Tail wagging
- Perked ears
- General excitement
- Head tilting
- Direct eye contact with the screen
If they seem confused, uninterested, or don’t react at all, they probably aren’t making the connection between you and that tiny digital version of you.
Staying Connected With Your Dog When You’re Away
Since video calls might not be super effective for many dogs, here are better ways to maintain your bond when you’re apart:
1. Leave Something That Smells Like You
A well-worn T-shirt or blanket can provide comfort and a sensory reminder of you. Dogs rely heavily on their incredible sense of smell, so this tactic works amazingly well!
2. Interactive Toys and Treat Dispensers
Some devices let you talk to your dog remotely and even give them treats! These gadgets can help maintain interaction even when you’re miles apart.
3. Voice Messages
Even if they can’t see you clearly, your dog can recognize your voice. Regular phone calls or voice messages might help ease separation anxiety.
4. Exchange Photos
While your dog might not fully appreciate seeing photos of you, their caretakers can send you photos and updates that will help you feel connected.
The Science Behind Dog Vision and Screens
Let’s get a bit technical for a moment. Dogs’ visual differences come down to:
-
Flicker sensitivity: Dogs process visual information faster than humans, which can make standard refresh rates on screens appear flickery to them.
-
Dichromatic vision: With only two types of color receptors (cones), dogs see a limited color palette compared to our three-cone system.
-
Different visual priorities: Dogs’ eyes evolved to detect movement and see in lower light, not to distinguish fine details on small screens.
This is why your dog might be more interested in a tennis ball bouncing across the TV screen than in the dramatic plot of your favorite show!
The Bottom Line: What This Means for You and Your Pup
So what’s the takeaway from all this doggie screen time research?
- Yes, dogs can see screens – but they see them differently than we do
- Bigger screens are better – TVs are easier for dogs to see than phones
- Voice recognition trumps visual – your dog likely recognizes your voice more than your image on screen
- Short attention spans – don’t expect your dog to binge-watch shows with you
- Individual differences matter – some dogs may be more interested in screens than others
My Personal Experience
I’ve tried FaceTiming with my golden retriever when traveling, and honestly, the results have been mixed. He definitely perks up at the sound of my voice, but he doesn’t seem to recognize me on the screen. He’ll look around the room, seeming confused about where my voice is coming from!
However, he absolutely loves watching nature shows with lots of animals moving across the screen. He’ll jump up and try to “catch” birds or follow other animals with his eyes. It’s pretty adorable!
FAQs About Dogs and Screens
Q: Can watching TV benefit my dog?
A: Potentially! Technology has the potential to provide entertainment for dogs left home alone, potentially improving their welfare. Just don’t expect them to follow complex plots.
Q: Is DogTV worth it for my pet?
A: It depends on your dog. Some dogs show interest in programs specifically designed for them, while others couldn’t care less. You might want to try it and see how your individual pup responds.
Q: Should I leave the TV on for my dog when I’m gone?
A: It could provide some comfort and stimulation, especially if you put on programs with other dogs or animals. But don’t expect it to replace human interaction.
Q: How can I tell if my dog is actually seeing what’s on the screen?
A: Watch for engagement behaviors like approaching the screen, tilting their head, barking, or following movement with their eyes.
Q: Do certain dog breeds see screens better than others?
A: While there’s no specific research on breed differences, dogs with better vision in general may be more responsive to screens.
Conclusion
The next time you catch your furry friend staring at the TV or try to video chat with them, remember that they’re experiencing it very differently than you are. Their vision is optimized for hunting and survival in the natural world, not for binge-watching Netflix or scrolling through Instagram!
While technology continues to evolve, nothing beats good old-fashioned in-person interaction with your dog. So go ahead, put down your phone, turn off the TV, and throw a ball for your best friend. That’s what they really want anyway!
But if you do need to be away, know that your voice over the phone might be more meaningful to them than your face on a video call. And that’s kinda sweet when you think about it—they know us by heart, not just by sight.
What about your dog? Have you noticed them watching TV or reacting to phone screens? I’d love to hear your experiences in the comments!
What Kind of TV Shows Do Dogs Like?
In general, dogs will prefer shows that feature animals in motion, and they’d rather see a real animal than a cartoon.
If you’d like to test whether your dog is interested in TV, pick a show with very active animals—especially those your dog is attracted to in real life (such as squirrels, birds, cats, or other dogs). If the colors featured on the screen are shades of blues, yellows, and greens, your dog will be able to see them better.
Then watch your dog’s reaction to figure out if they like what they see. Are their eyes following the action? Is their tail happily wagging, or do they seem distressed and growling? Do they seem worried by what they see?
Keep testing shows until you find one that makes your dog happy—and then hope that you don’t have to fight them over the remote control!
Can Dogs See TV?
Dogs absolutely can see TV, and many seem to enjoy it. There are a number of features about television shows that dogs find attractive. Some of these are visual, such as motion, while others relate to the sounds coming from the TV.
Dog eyes are very different from human eyes, so they see things on TV differently. Their vision isn’t as sharp, being closer to 20/75 than 20/20, which may explain why they prefer to sit closer to the TV than we do—it helps keep the s sharp.
They also have different color perception because they have only two types of color-processing cells in their retinas (we have three). They can only see blues, greens, and yellows, so a dog running on grass with a blue sky behind them, playing with a yellow frisbee, may be very interesting, while a dog sitting next to a red and white picnic table with a red toy would be very dull.
Dogs also have more rods in their eyes than people. Rods are the cells that increase night vision. This means that dogs see very well in the dark and are very sensitive to motion.
Dogs will also perceive the itself differently, especially on older TVs. Humans don’t notice any flickering of s if the screen refresh rate is faster than 55 hertz. However, dogs have better motion perception—they will see flickers up to 75 hertz.
So, if we are watching an average TV show at 60 hertz, it will look smooth to us, but the will appear to flicker for dogs. Fortunately, newer TVs are refreshed at a higher rate, and laptops and desktops have higher refresh rates, so not only do we enjoy a better picture, but so do our pups!