A heartwarming moment between a cat and a pregnant woman has gone viral, capturing the attention of millions online.
Rukayah Megeri, 35, from Manchester, UK, shared a video on Instagram of her sister’s cat, Sage, gently nuzzling her baby bump and softly kneading it. The clip has received over 1.1 million views, with many touched by the feline’s calm and nurturing behavior.
“It was clear she realized I was pregnant,” Megeri told Newsweek. “It almost felt like she was soothing the baby. It felt really special, especially because I was feeling tired and emotional that day.”
Megeri, a women’s holistic therapist, said Sage had hovered near her for an hour before settling on her belly. The cat then began to purr loudly and knead the bump for about 15 minutes. This motion, often called “making biscuits,” is a common and comforting action that cats learn as kittens when nursing.
Now expecting her first child, Megeri reflected on her pregnancy experience. “At 35, I was worried I’d left it too late or that my age would make it harder. But it’s been a really beautiful and easy nine months,” she said.
Experts say cats often respond to pregnancy in noticeable ways. Dwayne Adams, a registered nurse and maternity photographer based in Sacramento, California, runs DNA Premium Portraits with his wife, Terrie, who is also a labor and delivery nurse. Their studio cat, Mochi, has shown similar behavior.
“Mochi always goes straight to a pregnant client,” Adams explained. “He’ll knead, purr, curl up—it’s oddly specific and consistent. He doesn’t do this with partners or other family members.”
Adams believes cats detect changes in scent caused by pregnancy. Their sense of smell is about 14 times stronger than humans’, making them especially sensitive to hormonal shifts. Changes in body temperature and daily routines might also alert them.
“If your cat starts kneading your belly, they’re probably picking up on your body’s changes and responding to the nurturing energy,” Adams added. “It could be science. It could be instinct. But after everything we’ve seen, I trust a cat’s intuition.”
Instagram users shared similar experiences in the comments. One recalled: “My cat knew I was going into labor before I did—he sat on my stomach, and when I stood up, my water broke.”
Another wrote: “My cat used to knead and purr on my belly, and it would calm the baby down. After birth, she’d do the same beside him when he cried.”
Many users praised Sage’s gentle response. One joked, “Biscuits for the baby,” while another simply said, “My cat knew before I did.”
The touching moment between Sage and Megeri has resonated widely, showing the deep, and sometimes mysterious, bond between pets and people—especially during life’s biggest milestones.
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