A video of a cat barking like a dog has gone viral after its owner shared the moment on TikTok in April. Cathy, who posts under the username @cathyann.9, captured her cat Miss Kitty’s unusual reaction to spotting another feline outside her home in San Bernardino, California.
The gray-and-white cat, who has grown up with dogs, often appears in Cathy’s TikTok videos, where she’s seen relaxing on the couch, gazing out the window, or even wrestling with the family dog. But one video, in particular, stood out when Miss Kitty was caught barking at a stray cat.
Cathy explained to Newsweek that Miss Kitty, who plays fetch and sits for treats like the family dogs, spotted the other cat and let out two distinct barks before Cathy could get the camera rolling. In the video, Miss Kitty stands on a side table, tail flicking as she stares outside. Instead of the usual growls, hisses, or meows, the cat lets out a series of short, sharp barks, one almost sounding like a howl. A voice in the background of the video jokes, “She’s a barker,” while Cathy captioned the post, “She saw another cat and instantly started barking LOL.”
The 14-second video has gained more than 21.4 million views and over 4.1 million likes, sparking a flurry of amused comments. One commenter humorously noted, “God forbid a girl wants to learn a different language,” while another wrote, “Your cat can put bilingual on her resume.” Some viewers expressed concern for the cat, wondering if it could be coughing or having a medical issue, though experts say that while rare, cats can produce sounds resembling barks.
Veterinary behaviorist Nicholas Dodman explained in LiveScience that a cat’s larynx, trachea, and diaphragm are capable of creating a bark-like noise when desired. Cats have a range of vocalizations to communicate, from meows and purrs to yowls and chirps. However, if a cat starts coughing or making unusual sounds, it’s recommended to see a vet to rule out any health concerns.
Related Topics
