Videos for Pets Draw Millions of Views on YouTube

The rise of pet-focused content on streaming platforms reflects the growing role of animals in modern families.

Published on Feb. 19, 2026

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A growing number of YouTube channels and streaming services are creating original content specifically designed for pets, from videos of yarn and squeaky toys to breed-specific playlists and videos meant to desensitize nervous dogs to everyday noises. While the popularity of this content reflects the increasing status of pets as family members, there is limited data on how pets actually engage with and respond to these videos. Some studies suggest dogs prefer watching other dogs, while cats seem particularly drawn to videos of string and mice. However, the impact of pet-focused media on animal wellbeing remains an open question, with concerns that it could be a superficial fix for lonely or understimulated pets.

Why it matters

The rise of pet-focused media reflects the growing role of animals in modern families and the fragmentation of the media landscape, with content creators catering to niche audiences. However, the impact of this content on animal wellbeing is still not well understood, with concerns that it could be a superficial fix for lonely or understimulated pets.

The details

YouTube alone offers a vast library of content designed for pets, including videos of squeaky toys, animated fish, and hours of birdsong. Streaming services like DOGTV also produce original canine-focused content shot in over 20 countries. While some pet owners find these videos helpful for keeping their animals entertained, especially when left alone, studies suggest pets have varying reactions - dogs may prefer watching other dogs, while cats are drawn to videos of string and mice. Researchers caution that pet-focused media could cause stress for some animals, and that more research is needed to understand the impact on animal wellbeing.

  • In 2006, the idea for DOGTV, a TV channel designed to keep lonely dogs company, first came to founder Ron Levi.
  • DOGTV launched as a premium cable channel in the United States in 2013.
  • DOGTV later expanded to offer a multiplatform streaming service and app with free and paid content.

The players

Ron Levi

The founder and chief content officer of DOGTV, a television channel and streaming service that produces original content for dogs.

Dr. Freya Mowat

A veterinary ophthalmologist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an author of a study on dog preferences for different types of video content.

Jeffrey Katz

A cognitive scientist at Auburn University and an author of a study on how dogs with different personalities respond to various video stimuli.

Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas

The director of the animal-computer interaction lab at the University of Glasgow, who has worked on projects exploring how technology can be used to enrich the lives of pets.

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What they’re saying

“Dogs like to watch dogs, just like humans like to watch humans. Which is kind of hilarious, if you bring it truly back to basics. It's essentially soap operas for dogs.”

— Dr. Freya Mowat, Veterinary ophthalmologist (The New York Times)

“You might be causing stress for some dogs with some of the videos you're showing. Although TV might be enjoyable for many dogs, we can't assume it's going to be that way for all dogs.”

— Jeffrey Katz, Cognitive scientist (The New York Times)

“Thoughtfully designed media systems could also give animals more 'control and choice' over their lives and environments.”

— Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, Director of the animal-computer interaction lab (The New York Times)

What’s next

Researchers continue to study how pets engage with and respond to various types of video content, with the goal of developing media systems that can enrich the lives of animals while avoiding potential negative impacts.

The takeaway

The rise of pet-focused media reflects the growing status of animals as family members, but more research is needed to understand how this content affects animal wellbeing and whether it can be designed to truly enhance the lives of pets rather than serve as a superficial fix for loneliness or understimulation.