The Secret Life of Pets (2016) Parents Guide: Is the movie OK for kids?

Bontent's parent guide suggests The Secret Life of Pets is best for ages 6+. It's rated PG. In The Secret Life of Pets, a pampered terrier named Max faces jealousy when his owner adopts a stray dog named Duke. The film explores their adventure through New York City as they encounter a gang of abandoned animals…

The Secret Life of Pets is officially rated PG. Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 6+.

In The Secret Life of Pets, a pampered terrier named Max faces jealousy when his owner adopts a stray dog named Duke. The film explores their adventure through New York City as they encounter a gang of abandoned animals led by a vengeful rabbit. It is rated PG for cartoonish action, mild peril, and occasional rude…

None. There is no sexual content or nudity in the film.

The film contains stylized cartoon violence, including chases, falls, and brawls between animals. Most interactions involve slapstick-style conflict, though some characters are briefly threatened or punched in a non-graphic manner. We have applied the…

Minimal. There is a single background instance where the word 'hell' is heard in a song.

Very light. A background character is briefly seen smoking a cigarette in an alley before exiting the frame.

The narrative deals with feelings of abandonment, displacement, and the emotional impact of losing a beloved owner. Max and Duke's fear of the pound and the backstory regarding a deceased former owner are handled with sensitivity but carry a weight that some…

The Secret Life of Pets runs 86 minutes, directed by Chris Renaud, released in 2016.

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