A cat owner was so impressed by her kitty’s calm and loving nature that she decided to get another one to double the love—but she was not ready for what happened next.
In a viral Instagram video shared earlier in December under the username @livingthebestcoco, the poster can be seen cuddling her tabby cat as he lies on her chest, headbutting her and giving her kisses, just like every cat owner dreams.
“My perfect firstborn cat that made me want a second,” the caption reads, before the video moves on to show her new kitty, who spends his time terrorizing everyone, including his older brother, who does not seem very pleased about the new addition to the family.
“The second cat is always the crazyyyy one,” the caption continues.
Cats can indeed live peacefully with each other as long as their introduction is carried out mindfully.
Author and Cat Behavior Associates expert Pam Johnson-Bennett previously told Newsweek that cats introductions should follow a slow, gradual process, starting with setting up the kitten in a separate room so the adult cat doesn’t feel its territory is immediately invaded.
The introduction should then progress one sense at a time—first with scent, then sound, visual awareness and finally touch — only moving forward when the older cat is comfortable.
To introduce by scent, gently rub the kitten with a cloth and place this where the resident cat can investigate it, rewarding calm behaviour. Be patient: short, positive sessions work best.
It is important that you spend time playing with the kitten before introduction sessions to use up some of their energy before interacting with the older cat.
Keep the animals physically separated at first and provide plenty of resources like extra litter boxes, beds, scratch posts and food bowls to reduce competition. For face-to-face meetings, let the older cat choose its distance, perhaps using barriers like a stair gate.
Always intervene to stop escalating conflict and provide rewards to encourage calm interaction. Make sure that you are always present during their interactions, until both of them are comfortable in each other’s presence. If problems persist, consult a professional.
The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 766,000 views and 59,000 likes on the platform.
One user, Sophiemlpink, commented: “I’m very tempted to get a second cat. My first born would LOVE a kitten to teach how to be a cat, but I do worry a second cat would be an absolute terror.”
Achimbitzer wrote: “They’re both perfect, only in different ways.”
Clown_chick_it said: “I got it reversed what the heck?”
Newsweek reached out to @livingthebestcoco for comment via Instagram. We could not verify the details of the case.
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.