No cats allowed! TV channel for dogs launches in Israel

An idle dog left home alone can wreak havoc - as anyone who's returned from work to find their slippers torn to sheds will attest.

An Israeli cable television company has set out to solve the problem of bored pooches by launching a television channel aimed at dogs.

Dog TV, which was initially launched in the US last year, is now on Israeli screens and aims to comfort canines left at home alone with a combination of soothing music and special colours dogs can see.

The channel, which is available in Israel on Channel 39, launched a year ago in San Diego and is now available all over California.

All the programmes on Dog TV run up to six minutes in length and are scientifically designed, the channel says, to keep dogs stimulated, happy and comforted when they're left alone.

CEO of the Dog TV company Gilad Neumann said the idea behind the canine channel is to reduce the loneliness and abandonment anxiety that the animals suffer when left alone by owner. The aim he says is to "creates a companionship environment”.

Neumann says the channel is fully suitable for dogs continuing: "Owners can be sure it’s all appropriate, and there is no content that scares or stresses the dog, like loud or sudden noises.”

Mr Neumann told the Jerusalem post: “The Humane Society of America suggests leaving your TV on for your dog when you go out.”

"But what do you leave on? Animal Planet often shows violent images of animals killing, and that can upset a dog. People put on CNN but then again, dogs are upset by seeing violence. And the commercials can be loud and irritating.”

Dog TV claims on its website that the channel is "scientifically developed and pup approved".

"Dog TV is cable's first television network for dogs that is created exclusively for canines, and the humans who love them," the website says.

Co-founder of the channel, and a former host of of the Israeli Music Channel, Ron Levi, came up with the concept is convinced that the channel can help dogs with anxiety when they're left alone.

He told the BBC that the idea for the show actually came from his cat: "I just felt guilty leaving him by himself every day for so many hours and I thought I need to do something. As the TV set was already there, I thought why not use it to entertain cats or dogs?"