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Dr. Deborah Wells of Queen's University conducted research showing that animals display varying levels of interest in different visual stimuli, pointing to an ability to distinguish screen content.
As content specifically tailored for animals spreads rapidly on YouTube and gains millions of views, cats closely tracking bird videos on screens or dogs falling asleep to calming music have become a part of daily life for many pet owners.
Some cat and dog owners leave the television on when going to work so their pets do not feel lonely or stressed. Thus, digital content is beginning to take a more visible place in pets' routines.
Experts point out that such content can serve as a short-term relaxing aid or distraction for animals when used correctly and in moderation, while the impact of the digital world on pet behavior continues to be debated.
Amman Ahmed, the founder and former owner of "Music for Pets," a pioneering startup designed for pets, told an Anadolu Agency (AA) correspondent that during his time running the company, they prepared relaxing music and visuals especially for cats and dogs experiencing anxiety.
Ahmed emphasized that audio and visual content is a "more natural method that can serve as an alternative to medication" for the anxiety experienced by cats and dogs, noting that they have reached billions of streams worldwide.
Stating that they offer pet owners an effective, easily accessible, and low-cost tool, Ahmed mentioned that the initiative started with a trial period in its early stages and grew over time through word-of-mouth among users.
Ahmed noted that the videos are prepared with lengths of 10 to 20 hours specifically for cats and dogs left alone at home for long periods during the day, explaining that the visuals and sounds used aim to create a soothing atmosphere for anxious animals.
Pointing out that every animal reacts differently to the content, Ahmed said, "For years, we tested what works and what doesn't, gathered feedback from users, and utilized different instruments, different frequencies, and different visuals."
Ahmed noted that the feedback they received from users indicated the content yielded positive results for both cats and dogs.
While emphasizing that visual and auditory materials create a positive impact, especially on pets experiencing separation anxiety, Ahmed warned that pet owners becoming overly dependent on digital content could be risky.
Stating that this type of content is "part of a routine," Ahmed expressed that it should not be viewed as a standalone solution for behavioral problems.
Ahmed evaluated that digital content for pets will steadily increase and become an important part of daily care.
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Dr. Wells, who works at the Queen's University Department of Psychology and conducts studies focused on animal behavior, stated that the recent surge in digital content for cats and dogs reflects the variety of products available on the market and the concern house owners feel regarding the welfare of their pets left alone at home.
Expressing that the looks pets direct at the television are the clearest indicator of their interest in such content, Wells said, "Vocalizations like barking or whining usually point to frustration or over-excitement.
A decrease in these behaviors or an increase in resting time can reflect the calming effect of the content."
Pointing out that despite views suggesting screen refresh rates might not suit their visual systems, some pets still show interest in screen content, Wells evaluated, "Research reveals differences in animals' interest levels toward different types of visual stimuli, pointing to an ability to distinguish screen content."
Wells also stated that cats and dogs are generally interested in different types of content.
Cats tend to show more interest in videos with intense movement, Wells shared. "Considering that cats are predatory animals and are highly skilled at detecting rapid movements in small animals, this makes sense.
In contrast, dogs tend to focus on videos featuring animals, which may hold more biological meaning for them," she said.
On the other hand, Wells drew attention to the fact that dogs prone to over-excitement can be disturbed by sounds like doorbells or another dog barking and stated that some animals display behaviors suggesting they think the stimulus exists in a three-dimensional environment.
Wells reported that the answer to whether animals understand what they are watching is not yet clearly known.
Noting that behavioral research conducted in this field reveals that dogs and cats show only a small amount of interest in video materials, Wells shared that their research on shelter animals showed that dogs looked at moving images on television for only 10 percent of the total study time, while cats focused on the screen for just 6 percent of that time.
Wells stated they concluded that the interest of animals who begin showing attention to digital content declines after a brief habituation period.
Indicating that pet videos can provide a short-term benefit for animals left alone during the day, Wells said, "An animal's interest in this type of content is likely short-lived and temporary. This type of method is not a long-term alternative to substitute for human interaction."
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