Dogs are showing interest in a Netflix cartoon that was not specifically made for them. A South Korean show about seals, titled Sealook, has unexpectedly become popular among pets. Many videos on social media show dogs getting close to the screen, tilting their heads, and tapping at it. One woman from Oregon shared that a video of her two goldendoodles watching the cartoon gained nearly 10 million views. She noticed that her dog Benny sat up when the seals started drumming, while Myrtle made subtle head movements.
Sealook is a wordless slapstick series produced by The Pinkfong Company and Million Volt. It first aired in South Korea in 2022 and later became available on Netflix as a TV-Y kids’ comedy. Although it was made for children, Leah Yeon from Pinkfong mentioned that the interest from pets has been a fun surprise, as they did not intend to create content for animals.
Dogs and cats see colors differently than humans. They are dichromatic, meaning they can see blues and yellows well but struggle with reds and greens. The colors in Sealook, which include pale ice, blue water, and bright seals, fit within the range that animals can easily see. Netflix noted that viewers began to point this out in late summer, and it was a coincidence rather than a design choice.
Movement on the screen also captures pets’ attention. Experts explain that cats and dogs are instinctively drawn to movement, similar to their natural hunting behavior. Cartoons are considered great for dogs because they have high contrast, lots of movement, and fun music.
The sounds made by the seals might also attract animals. Some experts suggest that these noises could resemble sounds of prey or squeaky toys. One expert recommended a simple test: watch how your dog reacts when the sound is turned off.
A study found that many dog owners reported their pets watching screens, with most attributing their dogs’ interest to movement and sound. However, this study did not focus specifically on Sealook or include information about cats. While there hasn’t been a formal study on Sealook with a broader sample of animals, many videos show pets watching the show, supporting the idea of why they are drawn to it. Not all dogs are interested, as some may prefer to watch their owners instead of the screen.
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Source: Upworthy, by Adam Albright-Hanna