Modern Cat’s top picks to keep your cats active, happy, and entertained.

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Featured Photo Andrii Yalanskyi/Shutterstock

1. An Indoor Cat Playground

Vertical space and scratchers are cat environment essentials. Armakat’s Ultimate Cat Playground S1501 keeps cats occupied while looking good in your living room! This interactive scratch post and activity center features sisal rope, rolling balls, and a hanging toy, combining style, durability, and functionality to keep your feline entertained and your furniture safe. ($43, armarkat.com)

2. Critters and Bugs

You should aim for two to three short, 10 to 15-minute play sessions per day with your cat, especially kittens or high-energy cats, to keep them physically and mentally stimulated. A great cat toy can help make this more fun for you both. Get your cat excited for playtime with Rompicatz Critters & Bugs toys. These high-quality, highly recommended toys make realistic movements that mesmerize and entice cats. Plus, they’re budget-friendly and work with any rod. Excellent for endless play and bonding with your feline friend! ($9-15, rompicatz.com)

3. Like Whack-a-Mole— but for Cats

Unleash your cat’s inner hunter with the Peek-a-Prize Toy Box from Pioneer Pets. This durable wooden box has toy treasures secreted inside to stimulate natural predatory behaviours, keeping indoor cats active. Perfect for solo play and mental enrichment! ($33, pioneerpet.com)

4. Bubble Fun!

Kitty Love Bubbles from Atomic Bubbles bring pure delight with every pop! These enchanting whisker-safe, vet-approved bubbles are catnip-infused to spark extra stimulation for indoor cats, turning every moment into a magical feline adventure! ($14, atomicbubbles.com)

5. A Wand Toy to Delight Your Cat

Wand toys are an essential for a reason— they let you effectively mimic prey to entice your cat to play. Keep your cat entertained and engaged with Cheerhunting’s Moo Tassel Wand Toy. Featuring vibrant, prey-like tassels and a lightweight design, it promotes exercise, bonding, and endless fun. A fantastic way to keep your feline stimulated and active! Best of all, its purchase supports the Tree House Humane Society in their mission to make a difference in the lives of sick, injured, and stray felines. ($10, treehouseanimals.org)

6. Fresh, Running Water

If your cat is fascinated by running water, get them their own water fountain! Bonuses include fresher, filtered water for your cat and improved hydration (as descendants of desert dwellers, cats are notoriously bad at drinking enough water). The pumpless and wire-free Cheerble Pet Fountain Elfin E1+ is a smart, safe, and simple water fountain for cats that delivers thoughtful design, effortless cleaning, and pure water, always. ($100, cheerble.com or amazon.com)

7. Catnip Kick

Catnip is an excellent way to provide some fun for catnip-responsive cats. A member of the mint family, catnip causes a euphoric, happy state in many cats. You’ll often see them become more playful and energetic before relaxing. Spice up playtime with Yeowww! Catnip Strawberries. Packed with organic catnip and durable cotton twill, these fun, crinkle-textured toys are the purrfect way to delight your feline friend. ($17, yeowww.com)

This article originally appeared in the award-winning Modern Cat magazine. Subscribe today!

Physical and mental stimulation are both important for keeping your cat happy and healthy. To meet some of these needs, many pet parents are turning to “cat TV,” or videos designed specifically to entertain felines. But is cat TV beneficial for your pet? Or is it a potentially harmful gimmick?

Experts say cat TV is generally good for cats. But there are some considerations to keep in mind before you hit play—here’s what to know.

What Is Cat TV?

Often found on platforms like YouTube, cat TV typically features real or animated birds, fish, squirrels, and other critters. These videos are created to capture your cat’s attention and provide mental stimulation, and many pet parents report that they do just that.

Why Do Cats Like Cat TV?

It’s no surprise that some cats like to engage with screens, as they tend to be attracted to movement, according to cat behaviorist and trainer Rita Reimers.

“Sports are also particularly interesting to them, since there is a lot of motion,” Reimers says.

Your pet may also enjoy cat TV because it activates her prey drive and taps into her natural hunting instincts, says Jessica Sewell, CVT and director of career progression at VCA Animal Hospitals.

The Pros and Cons of Cat TV

Pros

Watching cat TV can be a positive experience for cats for several reasons.

When they’re feeling bored or lonely, some cats act out and exhibit destructive behaviors like scratching and overgrooming. Cat TV can help prevent some of these issues by providing a much-needed dose of enrichment, Sewell says. It can be an especially helpful source of stimulation for indoor cats, older kitties, or those with limited mobility, she adds.

Watching TV can also be soothing to some cats, especially if they’re anxious or prone to overstimulation from real-world sights and sounds, Sewell adds. And if you have to step away for a while, cat TV can be a calming distraction until you return.

“A silent house can be scary for cats and make them hypersensitive to noises,” Reimers says. “Think about when you are home alone. If the house is silent, every little noise might get your attention and get your heart racing.” 

Cons

However, there may be drawbacks to cat TV. Some cats may become frustrated when they can’t physically “catch” the animals they see on the screen, Sewell says. Cats that do try to nab the critters they see may pounce or paw—behaviors that could damage your device or potentially injure your pet.

In addition, fast-moving visuals and loud noises can be too much for some cats. Cat TV may cause some kitties to become overstimulated, which could lead to agitated behaviors like pacing. “Not all cats enjoy visual stimulation,” Sewell says.

Best Practices for Using Cat TV

If you’re curious about cat TV and want to try it out with your pet, keep these best practices in mind.

Limit Your Cat’s Screen Time

Remember that cat TV is not a substitute for playtime and exercise. “Playtime is bonding,” says Reimers. “Plus, it gives pet cats a chance to run out all the bottled-up energy that cats in nature use for hunting.”

Just like humans, cats need limits on screen time. Reimers recommends keeping cat TV sessions to an hour or less.

Keep It Fresh

For cats, variety is the spice of life. Think of cat TV as just one tool in your toolbox—along with toys, window perches, scratching posts, training, leashed walks, and other activities. “Cats need a variety of things that stimulate them and give them something to focus on,” says Reimers.

Always monitor your pet while she’s watching cat TV. If she doesn’t seem to be interested or she’s not enjoying the experience, turn the video off. “Some cats love it, others ignore it,” says Sewell. “As with any enrichment, it’s all about knowing your cat.”

Make Sure Your Cat Stays Safe

Make sure your TV is firmly secured. “Use wall-mounted TVs or stands that won’t tip if your cat jumps or swats at the screen,” says Sewell.

Reimers recommends avoiding videos with mice and squirrels, as these creatures might send your cat’s prey drive into overdrive and cause her to become aggravated. She also suggests avoiding videos with realistic sounds for the same reason. “It’s a good idea to stick to the videos that use calming music,” she says. “Birds and fish tanks are popular with my cats.”

Follow Up With a Hunt

Once you’re done with the cat TV for the day, break out a wand toy to let your cat “succeed” in a hunting conquest, says Sewell.

The Final Say on Cat TV

Experts say cat TV is generally beneficial as part of a balanced enrichment plan, especially for indoor cats. “The key is observing your cat’s reactions and using it to supplement—not replace—real interaction and physical play,” says Sewell.