 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Housecat Housecall
- Animal Planet
- Genre: Reality TV
Common Sense Media says
Cute, but oversimplifies kitty therapy process.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this series shows examples of troublesome cat behavior like aggression, excessive licking (of humans, that is), and anger. While feline-loving families may pick up some helpful tips from the veterinarian host, the show tends to oversimplify both the cats' behavioral issues and the solutions, so viewers -- especially kids -- need to remember that there's no substitute for the firsthand advice of a trained animal expert. But from a content perspective, this show is age appropriate for virtually all viewers.
What's the story?
In HOUSECAT HOUSECALL, Australian veterinarian Katrina Warren (aka, yes, Dr. Kat) attempts to do for cat owners what Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan has done for canine lovers: help them understand their pets' puzzling behavior and correct the problems with some small adjustments to their routines. In each episode, Dr. Kat meets with three different pet owners, who talk about their cats' backgrounds and describe the issues they're facing. After consulting with two other mentoring veterinarians via computer, Dr. Kat gives the owners some simple methods to help adjust their kitties' behavior.
Is it any good?
This series isn't too likely to interest people who don't already have a vested interest in cats, and it lacks the personality punch that draws even marginal canine fans to Millan's show. It's obvious that Dr. Kat knows her stuff, but episodes often feels like they've been over-edited to fit their half-hour constraints. Each of the three stories moves so quickly that issues viewers might relate to tend to get oversimplified. On top of that, the segments with the mentoring vets -- who don't even talk with Dr. Kat in person but brainstorm ideas via satellite -- seem forced and unnecessary, since she's certainly qualified to give advice on her own.
That said, there's nothing to sweat over content-wise, and the show's topic is certainly conducive to family viewing. Just remember that even if you can relate to the human subjects' kitty woes from your own experiences, the quick-fix solutions you see implemented here may not have the same effect on your feline friend.
What families can talk about
Families can talk the cat owners' concerns. Do you relate to them? What kinds of issues do you face with your own pets? What have you done to try to fix their behavioral problems? Who do you go to for advice about your animals? Would you ever seek help from someone on television for a problem? Why or why not? What do you think the purpose/goal of this show is? How does entertainment affect the messages sent by an educational series?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
The Cat's Meow
I have a cat named Amy Winemeow. Before we saw this show, we had no idea how to stop her making frequent pitstops in various places around our house and biting when we play with her. This show has taught me how to use posititve reinforcement to train my cat to use good lifeskills! Thank you housecat housecall!!!
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AGE
good yet boring
its a good help to cat owners...as we all know cats r stubborn!!! if the show doesn't relate to u, though, it can get somewhat boring.
oh yea, and a comment about the review made: consumerism... A LITTLE KID IS NOT GONNA GO OVR 2 HIS PARENTS AND SAY 'GUYS, I WANT PURINA CAT CHOW' okay- just to clear that up
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| Topics: | science and nature |
| TV rating: | TV-G |
| Network: | Animal Planet |
| Cast: | Katrina Warren |
| Genre: | Reality TV |
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