The Hidden Lives of Pets

Too much about dogs, not enough about other pets. And actually nothing really about hidden lives of our pets more about what they can do, what tricks they can perform and how clever they are (dogs).

It still might be an entertaining show for animal lovers but don't expect to learn anything new about our pets.

As Episode 1 of "The Hidden Lives of Pets" (2022 release from the UK; 4 episodes ranging from 30 to 34 min each) opens, we are introduced to Bruno and his collie as they are walking in the Swiss mountains. Bruno loves to basejump, and one day he takes his collie with him on his next basejump... At this point we are less than 10 minutes into Episode 1

Couple of comments: when I think of "pets", I must admit that I think primarily of dogs and cats, even though there are many other pets of course. This series does pay attention to dogs and cats, although the primary attention is on those many other pets: parrots, bunnies, rats, goldfish, you name it, this series has it. It makes for enjoyable viewing, even instructive viewing at times, but I will admit that, as a decades-long owner of a cat (I am on my third cat over the last 30 years or so), I wish that this series paid more attention to the "hidden lives" of cats. All that aside, I was entertained by this mini-series, and these 4 episodes few by in no time.

"The Hidden Lives of Pets" started streaming on Netflix several months ago. It was in fact my daughter who alerted me to this series, and it was upon her recommendation that I recently checked it out. I binge-watched all 4 episodes in a single setting. If you have a pet, be it a dog or cat or any other species, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion.

A base jumping dog and a surfing cat?

First I just want to say that jumping of a cliff with a dog is nuts, irresponsible and egoistic! This part was the worst of the show, and it should be reported.

Surfing with a cat is also a bit risky. Sure, it's cool with a cat surfing, and you can clearly see that the cat is not afraid of water, but what happens when the cat accidently falls off and end up under water?

Theese two examples made me rate this show way lower than I would have otherwise.

I have two cats myself, and I would have loved to see more about cats. To learn more about their behavior and the meaning of their different "meows".

I did learn some things by watching this. I did not know that dogs have a "built in" heat sensor, or that cats can sense the magnetic field of Earth which they use as a tracking system. The dog with all the buttons was also kinda cool.

This show lost me the moment bonehead went off the cliff with his dog.

He yapped a bunch about 'reducing the risk as much as possible' when making the custom harness for his pooch, but that doesn't mean there is no risk!

I once saw a YouTube clip of a man skateboarding while holding a baby, and I asked the same question then: beyond the risk of death or serious injury, what is the dog getting out of this?

I don't know if Switzerland has laws to protect animals from this kind of stupidity, but it damn well should.

0 stars. Don't sensationalize animal abuse and try to convince me it's cute.

It's very interesting, but there's not enough of nature's more awesome pets. Whenever it mentions cats, it dies so too quickly. Even bunnies seem to get more screen time. I hope there's a second season with more cats!