I doubt their vision allows them to see any kind of flat image in the way we
do.  If you watch a cat hunt, you will see it move its head from side to
side to judge distance, position, etc.  If your cat isn't doing this whilst
'watching' tv, then it simply can't see what you're seeing.

However, a previous cat of mine used to love 'Tom & Jerry' cartoons, and I'm
sure this has more to do with the jingly music and flashing light from the
tv.  Whatever attracted him, there was no doubt about his interest - he was
totally transfixed to the spot!  No other programme had this effect.  ...
and, yes, they certainly enjoy the companionship.  It's often the only time
we sit down and provide a lap and attention for them.

Spider

Isis watches t.v. with me. Her favorite has always been Mother Angelica on
EWTN.

One time a cat came on the t.v. and started meowing. She got right up and
started pawing the screen. Then she turned around and looked at me very very
quizzically. I felt so bad . . .

Mike in Illinois

my cats saw stuart little once.
when the cats started talking with human voices my cats couldn't take
their eyes off the tv!

I've seen cats watching TV. My friend Mick (RB) had a cat called Sam,
who was driven mad by snooker on the telly, he would sit on top of the
telly and when the camera panned in to show a ball moving towards the
pocket, he would reach down and try to scoop the ball up with his paw
when it vanished he would get behind the TV to see where it had gone.

Isis and Fugazi were both avid tv watchers. Fugazi loved cartoons and
Isis was  a car chase fan. (If one came on telly we used to call her
"Issi! Vroom-Vrooms" and she would come and have a look). Once she was
obviously watching tv- there was a shot of a car falling off a bridge
in slow motion and she followed the falling car with her head.

The pair of them also liked wildlife programmes up until the day when
they were avidly watching a documentary about Scottish wildlife and
getting closer to the screen at all these pictures of little wild
animals- perhaps they thought it was a feline food channel! And
suddenly the picture changed to a close up of a golden eagle! They both
jumped backwards!

Isis also understood the concept of a commercial break. When it started
she would go to her food dish, use her box or whatever but be back on
my lap for the second part

Redunzel doesn't seem at all interested in the telly but Sarrasine did
watch the tennis when she was a kitten and once again when the game
finished and the little men vanished she went and had a look round the
back as if to see where they had gone to

So yes I do think cats watch tv

Lesley

Slave of the Fabulous Furballs

  This has been discussed many times on various NGs.  None of our cats
have ever shown any interest.  However, some people have cats who like
some programs, especially:

Ones with birds in
Snooker
Motor racing

Do you think having one eye makes the TV easier/harder to see?  Her
vision seems pretty good (just a much smaller range) for every day
stuff!  I wish she liked TV, but she doesn't pay any attention to it.
Even when there is a loud sound that startles me she doesn't flinch.

Kathryn

Pictures @ http://cardsyourway.us/About_Me.html

Do you think having one eye makes the TV easier/harder to see?  Her
vision seems pretty good (just a much smaller range) for every day
stuff!  I wish she liked TV, but she doesn't pay any attention to it.
Even when there is a loud sound that startles me she doesn't flinch.

Kathryn

Pictures @ http://cardsyourway.us/About_Me.html

My Big Mama seems to like watching animal shows every once in a while,
i.e. Animal Planet or Discovery Channel.....anything with animals in
it.

For more info on cat vision check out Kitty Show Entertainment.

http://www.cyberpounce.com/
http://www.kittyshow.com/