Dogs, They’re Just Like Us: Pups Watch TV and Fancy Certain Content, Research Shows
You may have seen this adorable viral video of a dog watching TV, and maybe you’ve even witnessed your own pup bark at a screen a time or two. But do dogs actually watch TV? Freya Mowat, a veterinary ophthalmologist, looked into that as part of her research on canine eyesight, and the answer seems to be yes — they really are watching, and they fancy a certain kind of content.
“Most dogs most like watching dogs — just like people like watching people, I guess,” Mowat told The Guardian based on her findings from surveying 1,200 dog owners about their pets’ TV preferences. Beyond watching fellow Fidos, pups also seem to favor seeing other animals over humans (with people-centered content ranking ninth out of 17 categories) and shows with lots of movement.
As for what motivates dogs to watch TV, Mowat explained that’s where humans and canines likely differ: “We watch TV for enjoyment, for emotional realism, for whatever personal preferences we have,” she said. “I think dogs watch TV because they’re checking if it is real.”
Mowat added that pet parents might want to be wary of leaving their dogs in front of the TV for too long, or showing content that could be overstimulating or distressing. But if you’re interested in learning what your own dog likes, consider diving into the world of DOGTV.
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