Kittenhood
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Kittenhood
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.
Suggest an Update
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Kittenhood is a special that follows the lives of three different cats from birth. Morissette is a French farm cat, Kurumi lives in Japan at a cat cafe, and a nameless ginger cat roams the streets of a Greek Island. Tomcats scrap over fish, and kittens play fight frequently. The Greek island's cats have the most difficult life; they suffer from malnutrition and the stresses of being feral. Sensitive kids who don't know that many cats live this way may be upset, but the doc is matter-of-fact about their struggles. Cat lovers of all ages will likely enjoy this ultra-cute and informative look into kitten life.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Kittenhood follows the early lives of three kittens born into very different environments. Morissette is a gray and white cat, born in a barn in the French countryside with her four siblings. Meanwhile, on a Greek island near Athens, we meet a family of feral kittens in a stray colony, common in the region. A nameless ginger kitten joins their unit. In Tokyo, a group of cats live together at a cat cafe, and are joined by 3-month-old kitten Kurumi ("little nut" in Japanese). Each of these kittens experiences universal milestones while learning to navigate life in their specific environment.
Is It Any Good?
Cuteness overload combined with a gentle, educational voiceover makes this straightforward short film a must for kid cat lovers who want to learn more about the early lives of our feline friends. Generally, the facts shared are simple, including tidbits about how cats became domesticated, why they sleep so much, instinct, and how their bodies develop. Morissette learns to hunt through playing, for her future as a farm cat who will help with pest control in the barn. Sensitive kids might have a hard time seeing the difficult lives of the Greek island cats, but this could open a door for conversation about how not all animals are domesticated throughout the world. These slow-paced kitten adventures are fun to watch, and there's lots of learning to be found here.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about domesticated animals. Why are some kept as pets while some don't have homes?
Kittenhood offers lots of facts about kittens, like why they sleep so much and why their tongues are scratchy. How can you learn even more about cats and kittens?
TV Details
- Premiere date: January 1, 2015
- Network: HBO Max
- Genre: Educational
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice
- TV rating: TV-PG
- Last updated: February 28, 2022
Our Editors Recommend
-
Dogs 101/Cats 101
Kid-OK pet primer breeds warmth and affection.
-
Pick of the Litter
"Dog"umentary fetches empathy, enlightenment, warm fuzzies.
-
Kedi
Deep thoughts, fuzzy cats in heartwarming documentary.
-
Nature
Stunning glimpses of our natural world.
-
The Incredible Dr. Pol
Rural vet's life is positive entertainment for older kids.
For kids who love animals
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