Oops! My cat is an iPad kid
A Verge writer describes how she uses iPad games and YouTube "cat TV" videos to keep her Maine coon cat, Trevor, entertained and mentally stimulated when she cannot play with him directly. She notes that, unlike with children, there is little concern about screens harming a cat's development, making tablets and video content a convenient way to satisfy his natural hunting instincts alongside physical toys.
Apps such as Purina's "Cat Fishing 2" and "Games for Cats Cat Toy – Meow" let cats tap at moving on-screen targets like fake laser dots, mice or fish, engaging their prey drive for roughly ten minutes at a time. She has run these on an old sixth-generation iPad for over a year despite Trevor's heavy paws, while YouTube's "cat TV" videos, showing footage of small animals or fish tanks, offer a similar ad-free, low-effort alternative that can be watched for longer stretches.
- Verge writer uses iPad games and YouTube to entertain her cat
- Apps like "Cat Fishing 2" tap into cats' natural hunting instincts
- "Cat TV" videos on YouTube offer a free, longer-lasting alternative
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Cats are hunters by nature, and play gives them a way to chase and pounce even when they live indoors. Toys that move can engage these instincts and provide mental stimulation.
Some owners use tablet games, which show moving targets for cats to tap, or videos of birds, fish and other small animals. These screens are one option alongside physical toys, especially when an owner cannot play with a cat directly.
The story centres on Trevor, a Maine coon whose owner uses games and videos to keep him occupied. It raises a light-hearted question about how people adapt familiar technology for pets, and how screen-based entertainment fits into everyday animal care.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Tablets and videos provide legitimate mental enrichment that engages cats' natural hunting instincts, particularly when owners cannot actively play with them. Unlike children, cats show no developmental harm from screen time, making these tools a practical supplement to physical play. Integrated with other enrichment methods, screen-based games offer a convenient way to maintain stimulation throughout the day, benefiting cats that might otherwise experience boredom.
The case against
Active play and direct interaction provide irreplaceable physical exercise, bonding, and authentic engagement that digital media cannot replicate. Relying on screens risks becoming a convenient substitute for genuine attention, potentially reducing the time and effort owners invest in their pets' overall wellbeing. A cat's welfare depends on real hunting-style play and physical activity alongside genuine social connection, which screen-based engagement cannot adequately replace.