Parents' Guide to

Dogs 101/Cats 101

By Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 8+

Kid-OK pet primer breeds warmth and affection.

TV Animal Planet Educational 2008
Dogs 101/Cats 101 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this TV show.

Community Reviews

See all
age 5+

Based on 1 parent review

amyriggsby
amyriggsby Parent of 5 and 7-year-old
July 21, 2009
age 5+
My kids have the DVR set to record dogs 101 every time it comes on...They love it. My daughter watches it and she is 5 BUT I am a dog groomer and she is accustomed to a lot of the issues talked about on the show. I also have a Doberman Search and Rescue/Tracking dog..so that is not a problem either...for us..lol

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

DOGS 101/CATS 101 educates audiences about different breeds of dogs and cats. It discusses each breed's life from the early stages of development through the potential challenges it may face in the final years of life. With the help of animal experts, the show introduces facts about the history of each breed, as well as helpful information about the potential medical conditions associated with the breed. The series also offers tips about the type of domestic life that each breed is best suited for and how to ensure animals' overall happiness. And dog and cat owners share some of their own stories about their pets, highlighting some of the instincts and talents they possess.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (19):

Dogs 101/Cats 101 is both interesting and practical for dog and cat lovers, owners, and future owners, giving them concrete information that they can use to help choose and raise a healthy pet. The show successfully breaks down some of the details about each breed so that people will know what to realistically expect from the animal they choose to live with.

While discussions about certain breeds' mating abilities may raise a mild chuckle (despite the fact that the information is offered in an educational context), overall, this series isn't the most exciting unless you have a real affection for dogs and/or cats. That said, even non-animal lovers will appreciate the show's genuine warmth and affection for animals. That, combined with the series' wealth of information, makes it a positive viewing choice for tweens and up.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about their favorite breeds of dogs and cats. Which would best match your family? Why? If you have a family pet, what do you love about it? Families can also discuss the different ways that cats and dogs have been portrayed in the media. What are some of your favorite animal characters? Why?

TV Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

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.

See how we rate