Dogs are pawing at the screen while watching Netflix's newest 'Sealook.' Experts explain why

Almost every parent knows the hypnotic grip CoComelon has on a toddler. Now, a cartoon is finding an unexpected audience: dogs and cats. Several videos have started emerging across social media platforms of dogs and cats sitting dead-eyed in front of screens to watch Netflix's Sealook, a slapstick South Korean cartoon made by the Pinkfong Company. The bite-sized episodes follow a goofy colony of seals sliding across ice, and pets cannot look away. But the Guardian reported on September 22, 2026, that it wasn't actually built for animals. So, why can't they stop watching it?

An unexpected audience

The series began life far away from domestic pets. Co-produced by the Pinkfong Company and Million Volt, the wordless comedy first aired in 2022 before expanding globally through Netflix. The short episodes feature round, expressive characters and plenty of physical humor. "Seeing cats and now dogs as well, becoming so absorbed in Sealook has been a fun and unexpected surprise," Leah Yeon, the communications lead at the Pinkfong Company, said. He admitted that the creators never anticipated this popularity but are enjoying it.  

Viral paws on screens

A surge of home videos soon flipped the show into an internet phenomenon. Social feeds under hashtags began filling up with clips of family pets edging toward televisions, gently pawing at the glass and tilting their heads in disbelief. In Oregon, Jessica Blumen saw her Goldendoodles halt their usual evening chaos the second the animation started. "The minute the seals started drumming, Benny sat up, and Myrtle had these subtle head tilts," she noted. Across the globe, similar stories emerged, encouraging more owners to share the animation with their pets.

The secret animal science

Pet lovers started asking why this specific cartoon cast such a spell on their pets. So, what makes these animated seals so interesting to pets? Movement may be part of the appeal, rather than there being one clear answer. The Guardian's test with Ozzy also mentioned it could be the natural pet perception. Cats and dogs register blue and yellow tones far better than reds, and the show's pale ice shelves set against brightly tinted seals provide intense visual contrast. Rapid motion also triggers their hunting heritage. "Cats and dogs are particularly interested in movement," Dr. David Williams noted. 

Testing the living room

Despite millions of views online, reactions still vary widely from one couch to another. This means there could be other reasons why the animals love Sealook so much after all. Some dogs clearly take an interest in screens, though that doesn’t mean every pet enjoys watching them. A study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science (available in PubMed Central) surveyed 1,246 dog owners, and 86% reported that their dogs watched screen content. Among owners of screen-watching dogs who answered the question, 90% said movement attracted their dogs’ attention, compared with 78% who mentioned sound. The study looked at screen viewing generally, rather than Sealook specifically. 

It's something never seen before

Sealook continues to be a phenomenon on social media. People took to the comments on a post by Jess (@jess_rey_18) to talk about their experiences. @shmineat commented, "Hahaha wait, my son loves this. I had no clue it was for dogs lolol." At the same time, @reyni.reyniii3 revealed, "I put this on for my dog, and she’s watching me instead…"

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