Worried that your pet doesn’t get enough stimulation when you are gone during the day? Does your cat or dog just sleep the day away, seem bored or anxious? Then pet TV and music might be just what Spot and Kitty need.
Yes, there are now movies and special music playlists, plus audio books, just for the pets in our lives. Even pet owners seem transfixed by the new services; both humans and pets seem to find it meditative and calming.
Some of the offerings include:
- Amazon Prime has a number of streaming videos that feature birds, squirrels, and other creatures in their outdoor habitats. The sounds and motion make it seem that it is all happening just outside our windows.
- Audible collaborated with famed “dog whisperer” Cesar Millan to highlight books for dog listening.
- Spotify has playlists created just for dogs, cats, and owners, as well as My Dog’s Favourite Podcast. Spotify also offers music for iguana, hamsters, and birds.
- DogTV offers a subscription streaming service developed specifically for a dog’s sight (color) and hearing (no startling sounds).
- And, don’t forget about YouTube which hosts thousands of videos that may appeal to pets.
By all accounts, the pet products industry is growing by leaps and bounds, accounting for an estimated $70+ billion in purchases of toys, food, and supplies last year in the U.S.
Rock on!
Group Activities and Discussion Questions:
- Poll students: Who has pets? Do these pets watch TV or listen to music?
- Divide students into teams – include pet owners in each team. List the items that are purchased for pets during the year.
- Show pet video/music sites:
- Dog TV: https://www.dogtv.com/
- Assign each team one of the above sites to examine.
- How should these be marketed to pet owners?
Source: Advertising Age; New York Times