A cat’s emotional reaction to her owner petting another feline has gone viral, amassing over 8.2 million views on TikTok. In the video, the seemingly jealous tabby cat sits in the doorway, staring at her owner with what many viewers are calling an expression of heartbreak.
The video’s caption, “Can’t get over her reaction when she saw me petting another cat..,” has sparked a flood of emotional responses from viewers. “I’ve never seen a cat look this sad before,” said one viewer, while another, Rizwan, wondered: “I wonder if our pets see it as cheating and actually go through heartbreak?”
Commenters, deeply moved by the cat’s apparent distress, urged the owner to make amends. One wrote, “Go pet her now before I start crying.” Others shared similar stories about their own pets’ reactions in comparable situations. One viewer commented, “My cat pees on me whenever I pet any other cat.”
Although jealousy is typically considered a human emotion, there is growing evidence that cats display similar behaviors when they see their owner interacting with another animal. A 2020 study titled “Domestic cats’ reactions to their owner and an unknown individual petting a potential rival” examined how cats react to seeing their owners pet another pet.
The study, conducted by researchers in Japan, observed 51 pet cats exposed to three scenarios: their owner petting another cat, an unfamiliar person petting another feline, and no petting at all. The cats’ behavior was closely monitored for signs of alertness, distress, and avoidance.
The results were telling—cats reacted more strongly when their owner, rather than a stranger, petted another cat. Some cats became tense, while others avoided their owner after witnessing the interaction. This suggests that cats may experience a form of social jealousy or discomfort when they perceive their bond with their human as threatened—much like the cat in the viral video.
The study challenges the belief that cats are indifferent or aloof, suggesting instead that they are more emotionally attuned to their owners than previously thought.
After the video went viral, the user behind the post, @n4n4m1smine, shared a follow-up video of herself cuddling with her cat, reassuring viewers that she wasn’t neglecting her furry friend.
Related Topics
