Cat owner turns to iPad games and 'cat TV' to entertain kitten, The Verge reports

According to the article, the writer works from home and has a large collection of physical toys, but younger cats can be incredibly demanding of attention. She says she couldn't physically entertain Trevor every time he yowls or distract him from chewing cables. The solution has been an older sixth-generation iPad running cat entertainment apps such as "Cat Fishing 2," developed by pet care brand Purina, and "Games for Cats Cat Toy – Meow." These games display moving objects like mice, fish, bubbles, and bugs that cats tap with their paws, similar to chasing a laser pointer.

The article says the games engage a cat's prey drive, or as Purina describes it, "keep your cat's mind active while also scratching their hunting itch." The writer notes that the apps keep Trevor occupied for around 10 minutes at a time. She also recommends YouTube's "cat TV" channels, which offer lengthy recordings of small outdoor animals such as mice, squirrels, and birds scampering around, or fish tanks. These videos are especially useful during poor weather or winter when daylight reduces what cats can see outside real windows, and the sheer variety makes it harder for a cat to get bored, she writes.

The writer warns that some cat TV results are "AI slop," so viewers need to watch out, and she advises making sure the display is secure because a cat lunging at digital birds could send a skinny TV flying. She acknowledges that using screens isn't ideal, but says it helps keep Trevor entertained and safely inside, and that technology makes up for the fact that she only has one cat. She notes that many experienced cat owners would recommend getting a pair of cats that can play together, and that getting Trevor a friend was always part of the plan, but she assumed her constant presence at home would be enough. She was wrong.

The writer emphasizes that the apps and videos are supplements to other toys and manual playtime, not replacements. She is not a veterinarian or animal care expert, she says, and shoving a cat in front of a TV screen all day would feel cruel. She also suggests showing cats the viral "Oiiaoiia Cat" clip, described as "cat brainrot" across YouTube and TikTok, as an additional form of entertainment.