Are dogs really watching the show when they react to what's on TV?


A dog in rapt attention in front of the TV. — 123rf.com

It is both a strange and funny sight to see when you notice that ball of fur you love so much sitting down to watch television with you in the evenings.

Perhaps you’ve noticed that your dog tends to watch TV even when you aren’t watching it yourself. They seem to be engrossed in the programming coming across the screen and will even turn their heads from one side to the other, seemingly following the action on the screen.

But are they really seeing what we are seeing? Are they just bored? How does a dog’s eyesight work in comparison to ours? Better? Worse? Let’s dig in to find out!



You aren’t alone in thinking that our dogs can’t be seeing the same thing that we are when watching TV but studies have shown that dogs do see and retain the images that are flashing across the screen.

They do see in a different colour scheme than humans do but they are still seeing the objects moving across the screen – hence the turning of their heads from side to side as they follow the figures.

Subscribe now and receive FREE sooka plan for 1 month.
T&C applies.

Monthly Plan

RM13.90/month

Annual Plan

RM12.33/month

Billed as RM148.00/year

1 month

Free Trial

For new subscribers only


Cancel anytime. No ads. Auto-renewal. Unlimited access to the web and app. Personalised features. Members rewards.
Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Dog behaviour , dogs and TV

   

Next In Living

Do dolphins smile? Yes, according to this study
These senior living facilities are pet-friendly. Here’s why that is important
Top of the world: How Handshake Speakeasy became the world's best bar
Dear Thelma: How can I overcome my fear of trust and build real connections?
Education forges friendships: Could a college education keep loneliness at bay?
Prestige and pain? Getting a PhD can also cause mental health problems
Bees can get stressed too, and when they are, they become less optimistic
Ask the Plant Doctor! How to grow cherries in Malaysia
Not happy with the amount on your payslip? So are 40% of working people worldwide
Heart and Soul: Three generations of rubber-planting

Others Also Read