A heartwarming video of a kitten waking up from her nap and searching for her mother has captured the hearts of millions online.
The footage, shared by owner Katie Rynn (@katierynn), shows a tabby kitten sitting alone on a sofa, seemingly puzzled as she looks around.
Rynn, whose voice is heard from behind the camera, gently asks, "Are you looking for your mom?" The kitten meows in response as if confirming the question. Rynn informs her that the mother cat is in the other room, and the kitten seems to understand as she meows again and walks off in search of her mom.
The video cuts to the kitten meowing in the bedroom, where the mother cat is curled up on the bed. The kitten quickly jumps up, and the two cats begin grooming each other and cuddling, displaying a sweet moment of affection between them.
The touching video, captioned "Her separation anxiety at its finest! I love how much they love each other," has gone viral, amassing 3.5 million views and over 900,000 likes since it was shared on November 16.
The clip has struck a chord with viewers, many of whom are moved by the clear bond between the mother and kitten. According to the online magazine Catster, while cats primarily use scent to identify each other, a kitten's recognition of its mother may be stronger if they are never separated. However, as the kitten grows, its scent changes, which can affect recognition, even if they are reunited later.
In this case, the kitten's behavior suggests a strong attachment to its mother as it instinctively seeks her out, even after a short separation.
Newsweek reached out to @katierynn for comment. We could not verify the details of the video.
The sweet interaction has received a lot of responses online.
"Omg it's her real mom. I thought she was looking for her human mom," said one comment with over 67,000 likes.
Another wrote: "Oh so they DO understand every word we say. They just choose to ignore us."
"So I have a mother and son duo... they do not get along like this," said a third commenter and Rynn responded: "I'm learning this bond isn't the most common."
A cat's behavior is largely influenced by its personality and life experiences, according to the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, a UK charity that provides veterinary care. Some breeds are naturally noisier and will meow for various reasons, not just to seek attention.
Hormones also play a role in their behavior. Unneutered male cats can sometimes be more aggressive toward pets and people, while unspayed female cats may seek attention when they are in heat but act more independently at other times.
Cats can range from highly independent to very social, with some being happiest when they are around their humans. However, most cats, both male and female, prefer a solitary lifestyle with just their owners for company, much like their wild ancestors who are typically loners.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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