Is My Dog Really Watching TV?

Picture this: You're snuggled in for the evening with your dog at your feet, as you catch up on your favorite series, you notice your pup perk up, tilt their head and stare at the TV screen with intent. Then, they bark and wag their tail. They're clearly happy, but what's going on? Do dogs watch TV? Do dogs prefer certain shows? And maybe more importantly, do dogs understand TV?

To answer these questions, we're digging into the science behind a dog's vision and how they process what they see.

Do Dogs Watch TV? And What Do They See?

It's not uncommon for dogs to take an interest in nature shows featuring animals moving about, according to Stanley Coren, PhD, a psychology professor and author of several dog books, including "How Dogs Think" and "The Intelligence of Dogs." On-screen animals must be real to trigger a reaction, though. Cartoon critters just don't spark the interest of our canine friends, Coren says. This is a testament to a dog's ability to accurately interpret what they see.

Do dogs watch TV? Yes, but a pup's vision differs from that of a human. Christopher Pirie, a veterinary ophthalmologist at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, says that a dog with normal vision sees at 20/60 compared to our 20/20 rating. So if you're watching TV from 6 feet away, your dog would have to be within 2 feet of the screen to see what you see. The farther they are from the screen, the grainer and fuzzier the video will be. This could be why they lie in front of the TV so often.

Dog eyes also process colors differently than human eyes. For instance, we have three types of color-detecting cells inside our retinas. Dogs only have two, which means they perceive fewer colors with less saturation than the average human. Your furry friend's color range includes dull blue, yellow and green tones. Although limited, this range of vision dispels the notion that pets can only see in black and white.

Veterinary Vision, a California-based pet clinic focused on eye health, says that a dog's ability to see stems from their field of view and several other factors, including their ability to:

• Judge distances
• Detect motion
• Differentiate colors

These abilities vary among dogs based on their health, age and breed. For example, a pup with cataracts won't see clearly; their vision may deteriorate to the point where they only see differences between light and dark, not colors. When this happens, their other senses like smell and hearing will shift into high gear to help them understand what's going on around them. Therefore, if your dog has cataracts and still perks up during movie night, it may be due to their hearing rather than their vision.

What Are Dogs Thinking While They Watch TV?

Now, let's put all this information together, within the context of what your dog is responding to on screens. We know that dogs can see specific colors, hear sounds from the TV and are attracted to movement. They respond to these cues more readily, but is this a good thing? Sure! Just like us, our doggie friends like a little TV entertainment.

In an article for The New York Times, a veterinarian, a psychology professor, and a series of others discuss whether or not dogs should watch TV. It concludes that sitting in front of a screen is not a replacement for outdoor play and exercise, but that it's fine on occasion, especially if your dog experiences separation anxiety. Leaving a TV on while you're away can stimulate your pet's mind, helping them ward off boredom and keeping them happier and relaxed overall.