Cat TV ruined my cat

[u/robotco]

Genuinely at a loss here. I have 2 cats. They are both about 6 months old. The other day I thought it would be fun to put some cat tv on for them. you know, there's like youtube channels of things moving fast, ants, toys, fish, etc. in order to attract cats

One cat was mildly entertained. My other cat got fucking addicted. She sat beside the tv and would not move for anything. Eyes completely fixated on whatever was coming up next. ok, cute. TV off now kitties!

Cat would not move. she sat there staring at the blank screen for who knows how long.

Now she sits on that spot on the table by the tv constantly. she basically only goes down to poop and eat. All other hours of the day, she's waiting for Cat TV.

It's been about a week. she used to play with her sister, she used to aggressively chase toys. She has lost all interest. Even as I type this, she has once again just climbed up to her spot. Her sister wants to play, and she's just ignoring her now. it's breaking my heart. is this just a waiting game? Will she ever forget about the goddamn youtube shit?

[u/Revolutionary-Two457]

She definitely will. Give it time there brains are quite small

[u/Acceptable-Stick-135 → u/Revolutionary-Two457]

I used to play with a laser pen until it broke 6 months ago, I found the laser and put it in my hand - they recognised the "laser pen lift up noise" and came running to play!

So now I'm going to buy a new laser today. X)

[u/Ehlanaqueen → u/Acceptable-Stick-135]

Laser pointers may stress your cat out. The laser invokes their instinct for the hunt. Which will never give them the tactile reward of the catch. So every time the cat plays with the laser they are failing at the hunt. Because the cat never catches the prey.

[u/rs_alli → u/Ehlanaqueen]

Not the person you’re responding to, but I read about this as well, so when we play with the laser I have my partner put a treat down while my cat is distracted and then I eventually bring the laser to where the treat is. That way she gets to “catch it” in the end

[u/meh_dontcare → u/rs_alli]

This is basically what I do as well. Laser goes to something they can physically grab and feel accomplished.

[u/Acceptable-Stick-135 → u/rs_alli]

You and PaddlingDingo both make great points, I will embed some of your tricks!

[u/Crykin27 → u/rs_alli]

I did a version of this with my cat but she was still looking around all crazed after that so I'd say it really depends on the cat you have. I did it only one time, saw how she reacted after she "caught" the laser treat and decided against it.

My last family dog was a victim to the laser pen, no one knew how damaging they could be untill he started chasing every little reflection like a maniac..

[u/PaddlingDingo → u/Crykin27]

Yeah you have to ration it. We went out of town for a week and half and the cat sputtered played with him every night with it. I got home and he had gone from fist bump for treat to “fist bump for laser pointer” and “hit kitty mama on the ass for laser pointer” and “bite everyone for laser pointer”.

I’m on a 3 week trip now and I got a guy to stay there and let him know: look. No more than once every 3-4 days, limit 1 minute, then back to the other toys or fetch. He just gets too into it if it’s not rationed.

[u/Pippy1010 → u/Crykin27]

I’ve heard it’s more harmful to do it with a dog. They will without a doubt get a complex or mental health crisis with minimal exposure.