A cat’s touching reaction to a newborn’s cries has melted hearts online, amassing more than 1.4 million views on TikTok as viewers praised the feline’s strong maternal instincts, even toward a baby that isn’t hers.
In the November 3 TikTok video posted to the account @winterbaby4200, new parents Jack and Kylie were in bed holding their newborn. Their cat stayed close by, lounging by their feet and rolling over onto her back to expose her belly as the infant cried. This was the female feline’s way of trying to comfort and soothe the newborn, which she’s done before after having a litter.
Cats rely on their senses to understand and interpret their environment, according to PetsCare. And it is no different when their homes change after their families bring home newborns. They’ll use scent recognition to pick up on unique smells, such as baby lotions, milk, and changes in hormone levels. New sounds and movement will also fill the space.
PetsCare explained that cats will show various behaviors when meeting babies. Some will be positive, such as sniffing, calm observation, and carefully approaching. But other felines might be stressed and cautious. If that is the case, they’ll hide, mark their territory or change their eating and sleeping patterns. But this couple noticed the former.
The cat had adjusted almost instantly to the new home lifestyle with a baby. Kylie told Newsweek that the cat kept her distance for the first two weeks, but she showed curiosity. She would stare at the baby, and when the couple held the baby, the cat would sneak in a few sniffs.
“Baby is now a month old, and mama cat follows us around, and if she’s not around, she comes running when baby cries for food and immediately flops over like she did with her kittens’ cries,” she said. “We still don’t let her touch the baby yet, though, but will at two months.”
Until then, the cat continues to show off her motherly instincts, the only way she knows how, by exposing her belly to offer her milk. Not only is she trying to comfort the baby, but showing her belly expresses trust, as it is the most vulnerable spot for felines.
Viewer Reactions
The heartwarming exchange has sparked hundreds of comments from TikTok users who believe the cat is responding to the baby’s distress with empathy and affection. As of Thursday, the clip has reached over 1.4 million views and 369,500 likes.
“She said, ‘Y’all go ahead and put her over hear. I’ll get her fed and laid down,’” wrote one commenter.
Another joked: “She’s not a step-parent but the parent that stepped up!”
A third user commented: “She’s like a little grandma offering to help. Why are they so cute?”
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