If your cat seems lonely when you leave for work, leaving the television or radio on may help it feel more comfortable and safe, though this depends on the cat.
If you have loud neighbors, live on a busy street, or deal with other loud noises that distress your cat, leaving calming music or videos can drown out the distressing noises and replace them with soothing ones. If your cat is prone to swiping at the TV screen or doesn’t show any interest in stimulation from videos or music, leave the TV and radio off while you are gone to avoid unnecessary power use.
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When Should You Leave the Television or Radio on for Your Cat?
Your cat might get lonely when you are gone. If that’s true for your favorite feline, there are a few things you could do to alleviate the feeling.
If there are often dogs barking, police sirens, airplanes, or other loud noises outside your home, leaving the TV or radio on for your cat may be a good idea. Calming music and tones may drown out loud outdoor noises that might otherwise scare or stress your cat, especially if you are not home to provide comfort.
If your cat is used to your company or a bustling household, leaving the radio or TV on when you leave may comfort it and make the house feel less empty.
When Shouldn’t You Leave the Television or Radio on for Your Cat?
Leaving the television or radio on for your cat isn’t always the best idea, especially if it wastes too much energy or puts your pet’s physical safety at risk.
Physical Safety Risks
If your cat is known for jumping or swiping at the television when it is on, it may be in the best interest of your pet’s safety to leave the TV off when you leave the house.
If your cat gets distracted by visuals on the TV and tries to catch them, playing calming music on the radio instead may be a good alternative that still eases your pet’s anxiety.
Energy Waste
Leaving the TV or radio on all day while you are at work or any time you leave the house uses a ton of energy, so it’s important to make sure your cat actually benefits from this intentional stimulus when you are gone so that your energy bill doesn’t increase for no good reason.
If your cat seems indifferent as to whether the TV or radio is on or off, it may not be worth the electricity to keep these devices on when you are out of the house.
No Interest from Your Cat
While some cats appreciate a low hum from music, TV shows, or movies when their owners are away, others prefer the silence and even look forward to it. There’s no need to leave the television or radio on while you are gone if your cat doesn’t need the stimulation, and it might even annoy your furry friend if you do.
Signs of Distress in Your Cat
If your cat shows signs of distress or hides when you turn the TV or radio on, it likely won’t be soothing to them when you are gone, so you should probably keep all devices off to avoid additional anxiety. Pay attention to how your cat responds to the TV and radio when you are home, and take that into account when deciding whether or not to leave devices on when you leave.
What Are the Best Practices for Leaving the Television or Radio on for Your Cat?
When leaving the TV or radio on for your cat, be mindful of the volume, the content, and your pet’s physical safety.
Keep the Volume Low
If you like to leave the television or radio on for your cat when you leave the house, make sure the volume is relatively low. Cats’ hearing is much more sensitive than humans, so what might sound like the ideal listening volume for you might be too loud for your cat to hear all day long.
Choose the Right Content
When leaving the TV or radio on for your cat, choosing the right content is crucial. There are plenty of soothing songs and calming music made specifically for cats, as well as cat-specific engagement videos that help keep felines entertained when their owners are gone.
Avoid action movies, scary horror films, and loud music, as it might scare your cat and have the opposite intended effect.
Prioritize Safety
Your cat’s safety should be your top priority if you decide to leave the TV or radio on for your cat when you are at work or elsewhere. If you turn on the TV for your cat, make sure the screen is secure and mounted to the wall so your cat cannot swipe it and knock it over onto the floor or itself. If you don’t have a wall-mounted and secure TV that your cat can’t tip over or pull down, use smaller devices like tablets for videos or music.
Set Timers
You don’t have to leave the TV or radio on all day for your cat. Most modern televisions have sleep timers that automatically turn off the device after a set period, such as 30 minutes or an hour. You can use this feature to ease your cat into a day of being home alone without keeping the TV on all day long, which can be a big energy drain.
Reach Out to Critter Sitters’ Cat Sitters Now
Critter Sitters’ cat sitters can take care of your cat when you call us at (404) 793-6178.
