A mischievous kitten named Goose has generated a wave of laughter across the internet as a video capturing his playful imitation of his owner’s other cat went viral on social media earlier this month.
Shared on TikTok in August by the pet owner, who goes by the username Danielleseamas, the video showcases Goose mimicking his feline sibling Willy, who happens to have only one eye. The amusing clip features Goose winking and pretending to be missing an eye, much like Willy. The one-eyed cat, Willy, appears somewhat bemused by Goose’s antics as he lounges on a separate couch.
The accompanying caption reads: “My two-eyed kitten has started mimicking my one-eyed cat,” followed by a light-hearted remark: “Goose is picking on Willy again.”
Although the term “copycat” might be familiar, it seems that cats are quite adept at imitating both their owners and fellow felines, a phenomenon that often goes unnoticed.
While some cats engage in mimicry as a means of strengthening their connection with their owners, there can be various motives behind their actions, as explained by pet wellness experts at PetKeen. Cats might imitate to establish a routine and a sense of security within the household or to acquire new skills. Indeed, many animals learn through observation and mimicry.
Furthermore, mimicry can also serve to reinforce bonds with other pets in the household or the local community.
“By mirroring each other’s gestures, sounds, and body language, cats can enhance group unity and establish more robust social connections,” elaborates the PetKeen website.
The video’s popularity surged rapidly on social media platforms, captivating audiences on TikTok and beyond. As of now, it has garnered a staggering 849,600 views and received 177,400 likes on the platform.
Commenters on the video expressed their amusement and shared their own experiences. One user, Mayothena, quipped: “Orange behavior.” Meanwhile, another user questioned: “So which one actually has one eye? They both look the same lmao.” Nikki Balestrere chimed in: “This is the most adorable thing I have ever seen!!”
Marshabaptiste708 added: “Our Jack Sparrow is a one-eyed Ginger, gonna see if his sibs start doing this.” Lim Laksmi Rani shared: “No coz I have two orange kittens and one is also one-eyed. And recently the two-eyed one has been doing this too.”
Another user, letmesarahnadeyou, related: “One of my cats has a messed up eye and the other will copy her too.” In defense of the cat’s behavior, 6hundred5 reasoned: “Looks more like he just was sleeping on that side because cats do that all the time.”
