Most cat owners think of their pets as their fur babies, but do cats see us as their parents or even their kittens?
A viral video shared on TikTok in March, under the username gatofather, claims to show the signs that your cat sees you as their mom compared with signs that they see you as their kitten.
According to the post, the main signs that your cat thinks you're their mom include "making biscuits" on you, because when your cat was a kitten they used to knead their mom's belly to stimulate milk, and that means that they find the same comfort in you as their owner mom.
Next is following you around for treats and coming to you when they're hungry, and they do that because they know that their mom will always feed them!
Responding to their name when you call them is also one of the four main signs that cats think you're their mom. Last but not least, they will also show their butt near your face because their mom would do this for toilet training.
The post continues to explain that some cats see you as their kitten instead of their mom. The signs include grooming you; sleeping with you in your bed to protect you from predators; bringing you their toys to "feed" you and teach you how to hunt; and attacking you to teach you self-defense.
"Grooming you and mimicking nursing behavior further could also indicate a motherly bond," she told Newsweek.
Conversely, if your cat playfully bites, engages in mutual grooming, follows you closely, and imitates your actions, they might view you as a litter-mate.
"These behaviors, whether they signify maternal instincts or sibling-like play, help reveal how your cat perceives its relationship with you," Smith said. "Recognizing these signs is not only interesting, but can also enhance your bond with your cat and help you provide the comfort and interaction they need.
"Ultimately, these insights can lead to a deeper understanding and a stronger connection between you and your feline friend!"
Cat behavior expert Dr. Mikel Maria Delgado told Newsweek that because cats don't necessarily stay with their mothers or kittens for extended periods, we may not necessarily want to base our relationships with them on being their mom or kitten.
"However, most pet cats behave toward us the way they do with other cats they are friendly with—doing things like rubbing against us, approaching us with their tails up, snuggling or grooming us—these are all signs that we are part of their social circle and someone they enjoy being around. That seems like a pretty good way for them to feel about us." she said.
The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across TikTok. It has so far received over 8.4 million views and 909,200 likes on the platform.
One user, Tayler, commented: "Well of course I'm their mom. I didn't carry all 6 of my cats In my belly for nothing."
Kkungfukenny said: "Instructions unclear. I ended up being both the mom and kitten of my cat."
Amilikestea added: "My cat doesn't make biscuits on me in the morning to feed him. He presses his claw with just a hint of claw so I can't ignore him."