Common Sense Media Review
By Sabrina McFarland
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Experts examine feline behavior in kid-friendly docu.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Inside the Mind of a Cat
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.
Is It Any Good?
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."
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the communication of the cast in Inside the Mind of a Cat. How do they demonstrate curiosity and teamwork? Why are these important character strengths?
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?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : August 18, 2022
- Cast : Yuki Hattori , Bruce Kornreich , Wailani Sung
- Director : Andy Mitchell
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Documentary
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals ) , History , STEM
- Character Strengths : Communication , Curiosity , Teamwork
- Run time : 67 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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