Experts examine feline behavior in kid-friendly docu.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Violence & Scariness
some
References and images include guns, artillery battleships, skeletal remains of a cat, felines leaping from heights and falling, cats biting a human being's fingers and bearing teeth as a sign of an impending attack, cats capturing prey, stories about dark magic, and decimation of the European feline population, which may have contributed to the Black Plague, a bubonic pandemic created by fleas and mice.
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References and images include GPS cat collars, cat toys, apparel and food brands with logos and messages, wireless speakers, laptops, smartphones, billboard ads, and social media platforms.
Drinking, Drugs & Smoking
very little
Images include a distillery plant and bottles and glasses of alcoholic drinks.
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Benefits of relationship bonds. Care for others in need.
Positive Role Models
some
Experts who study cats include Dr. Yuki Hattori, a cat guru who decodes feline language and is director of the Tokyo Feline Medical Center in Japan; Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a cat physiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center in Ithaca, New York;Dr. Wailani Sung, a cat behaviorist and director of behavior and welfare at San Francisco SPCA in California;Dr. Saho Takagi, a cat researcher at Azabu University in Japan; Dr. Kristyn Vitale, a cat psychologist and associate professor at Unity College in Maine. References include U.S. Olympic gymnast Simone Biles in physical balance discussion, and research reports conclude cat videos boast positive emotions and decrease negative feelings in people.
Diverse Representations
some
BIPOC and White young and older adults share their expertise about the lives of cats.
Kids may be inspired to pursue careers in felinology, the study of cats. Occupations can include behaviorist, physiologist, and psychologist.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Inside the Mind of a Cat is a documentary examining cat behavior. References and images include guns, artillery battleships, cat skeletal remains, felines leaping from heights and falling, cats biting fingers, cats capturing prey, dark magic stories, decimation of the European feline population, which may have contributed to the Black Plague, a distillery plant, and bottles and glasses of alcoholic drinks. Educational and positive messages include the benefits of relationship bonds and caring for others in need. Kids may be inspired to pursue careers in felinology, which is the study of cats. To stay in the loop on more movies like this, you can sign up for weekly Family Movie Night emails.
Promotes cat love but woefully misses the mark on domestic cats' collective impact on wild birds
Even as a veteran cat owner, I learned a few new things about cat behavior. We're getting two kittens soon and I'm inspired to approach cat training in a new way this time around.
My criticism of this film is with regard to its absolute ignorance and avoidance of domestic cats' global impact on native bird populations. This was woefully disappointing because the data exists and it would have been a great opportunity to educate people about how to keep happy cats indoors or provide enrichment that separates cats from birds. See the American Bird Conservancy's work on this subject - https://abcbirds.org/program/cats-indoors/cats-and-birds/. During one part of the film it spoke of one country's "progressive" legislation referring to cats as equals but the imagery was of stray cats roaming urban neighborhoods. No mention of the impacts on wildlife populations, disease, getting hit by cars, etc.
Overall, the film - with its fun diversity of cats highlighted and great camera work - is beautiful and promotes good feelings. The filmmakers should tackle the cat impact on wild birds topic next - I'm sure it would also be a hit.
What's the Story?
In INSIDE THE MIND OF A CAT, global scientists share studies about the psyche and physique of cats. The film features firsthand interviews, archival footage, photos, and illustrations about one of the earth's longest inhabitants and supposedly most flexible mammals on the planet. The journey moves from the centuries-old coexistence between cats and people to Herman the Cat, a U.S. Coast Guard member who was paw-printed and photographed for official documents in the 1940s, to present-day online acclaim for cat videos as a top form of family entertainment with reportedly more than 25 billion views.
Whether you're already a furry friend fan or just cat curious, this documentary is a purr-fect primer for kids. For example, if someone wants to adopt a cat as a pet, it's a "huge deal," notes Inside the Mind of a Cat's Dr. Wailani Sung, a cat behaviorist and director of behavior and welfare at the San Francisco SPCA. A family should "do some homework," says Sung. "It's a big decision because you're adding a valuable family member."
Cat care may involve finding the proper carnivorous diet and learning how to interpret the 20 meows that felines use to express emotions. "It's pretty clear," explains Dr. Bruce Kornreich, a cat physiologist and director of the Cornell Feline Health Center in Ithaca, New York, "that cats provide emotional support, a feeling of wellness, happiness. This notion that you can come home and have unconditional love from your cat is something that's vital."
The Savitsky Cats are a celebrated team of performing felines shown in the documentary. What are your thoughts about showcasing animals as a form of entertainment?
In what ways are cats and people different? What are their shared similarities?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Sabrina McFarland
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
