A viral TikTok video capturing a young Bengal cat’s stunned reaction to becoming a father for the first time has melted the hearts of viewers online, as they relate to the wide‑eyed moment of realization that comes with sudden parenthood.
On February 9, the feline’s owner shared the clip under the handle @bengal.babies, and it has since been viewed more than 677,000 times and received over 140,000 likes on the platform. It shows a cat staring blankly at a litter of kittens as they play nearby, set to Olivia Dean’s “So Easy (to Fall in Love)” and overlaid with a caption that said, “POV: it’s your first time being a dad.”
“The first-time dad is called Simba, he’s a Bengal and still very young, only a year old himself,” the cat’s owner, who would prefer to remain anonymous, told Newsweek. “He looks completely shocked and confused [in the video], which is exactly how he was at first, but he’s actually been so gentle and protective with them.”
“It’s been really sweet watching him figure it all out,” the owner continued.
The short clip shows Simba sitting close to a soft pet bed as his kittens wriggle and tumble over one another. He does not intervene or move much at all, instead watching intently. Paired with the warm, wholesome soundtrack, the scene plays out as an unintentionally perfect metaphor for first‑time parenthood—the joy, the disbelief and the unmistakable question of what comes next.
Simba’s moment of uncertainty has resonated widely with viewers on TikTok, many of whom flooded the comment section with jokes and puns.
“At least the dad is present,” one viewer wrote, while another added: “He looks like ‘ain’t no way these mine that high cheated on me.'”
Several commenters focused on Simba’s frozen expression, imagining his inner monologue as he processed the situation unfolding in front of him.
“He’s like ‘now what,'” one viewer wrote.
Another commented, “[He is] like what do I do?”
One added, “He’s like ‘I only want one.'”
The humor of the comments contrasts with the reality behind the scenes, where Simba has reportedly settled into his role with care and calm. Despite being only a year old himself, the Bengal has shown a protective streak, gently watching over the kittens as he learns what it means to be a dad.
The owner said the kittens would be rehomed once they were ready, adding, “We’re based in London, England, and will be looking for loving local homes.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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