A video showcasing a playful yet touching interaction between a cat and her owner's mother, which blends cultural traditions with an affectionate moment, has gone viral on TikTok.
The video shows a cat being dressed in a traditional sari by her owner's mom. It has warmed the hearts of millions, accumulating 7.1 million views since it was shared on Tuesday by @mostpyaari.
A note overlaid on the clip says: "My mother and the cat she didn't want."
In the video, the mom lovingly addresses the cat as she begins dressing her. "I will make you a sari.... You know how to wear a sari?... I teach you," she says.
A sari is a traditional garment commonly worn in countries like India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal. This attire consists of a long piece of cloth that is draped around the body, with one end hanging over the shoulder or used as a head covering.
The video shows the cat lying on her back, paws in the air, as the mom wraps a sari adorned with golden leaf patterns around her. "It's very decent to wear a sari. You know, you can show your stomach and it's very decent," the mom remarks. "But don't show your legs, that's not decent."
The feline remains remarkably calm during the process, her ears upright in a relaxed position, although her wide eyes and dilated pupils suggest a mix of curiosity and bewilderment.
According to an article from VCA, the animal hospital chain, dilated pupils in cats can signal stress or anxiety, but they can also occur in dim lighting or when a cat is stimulated.
Similarly, Vet Explains Pets, a website where licensed veterinarian Jessica Kirk answers pet-related questions, notes that pupil dilation can result from excitement, fear or changes in light.
Kirk writes: "When a cat's eyes are dilated, it means that the black part of the eye, known as the pupil, is larger than usual. This can occur for a number of reasons, both emotional and physical.
"In many cases, dilated pupils are a normal response to changes in light levels or emotions. However, if a cat's eyes are consistently dilated or if they are accompanied by other symptoms, it may be a cause for concern," Kirk adds.
'That Cat Loves Her'
The mom in the viral clip drapes the end of the sari over the cat's head, saying: "You go like this because you are very decent." The ensemble is further enhanced with "little bangles" placed on one of the cat's legs and a red bindi positioned between her eyes, creating a striking and coordinated look.
The video concludes with the mom serenading the feline while gently playing a hand drum. The cat, still adorned in her sari, gazes up at her with wide eyes. "Don't look at me like that. So cute," the mom says.
Viewers were quick to praise the video, flooding the comments section with admiration for the cat's patience and the mom's doting.
User MinoSeitan remarked: "That cat loves her. The way she looks at herrrr." SheparDox added: "Her pupils are blown wide – she LOVES her Nani!"
Another user, a chaos of cats, wrote: "People say cats don't show love, but there is no other reason a cat would patiently sit through this."
Kiara observed: "You can tell she's very confused but trusts her completely."
Lichen pointed out the cat's positive body language, saying, "Her body language is just so full of love and happy – forward ears, big eyes with eye contact – it's adorable!"
Others commented on the accessories. Pammie Plus Parks wrote: "You can't tell me that cat's face didn't light up when she saw the bracelets."
Jen_Pino noted: "At first she was skeptical, but then you could see when the bangles came out she felt pretty!"
Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok. The video has not been independently verified.
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