A common argument about cats is that they are not affectionate pets. But an old video of a cat running to greet its owner casts doubt on that idea.
The pet camera video, shot about a year ago, was reposted to the TikTok account @shadow.the.house.panther on Sept. 25, and as of Friday had more than 688,400 views and 102,300 likes. Ne!” was obtained. Shadow, a black cat, was on the window sill overlooking the driveway. She wanted to be the first to find them every time they returned.
Soon they returned home and Shadow regained his strength. She squealed a few times in disbelief. She clung to the window, double-checking that it was her person, then jumped and ran downstairs.
One welcoming committee meowed all the way to the front door. She was crying for me to hurry.
The owner told Newsweek via TikTok that Shadow always greets them the same way.
“She does it even when either of us is home,” she said. “She’ll run up and say hello. Shadow was definitely a dog in his past life.”
A screenshot of a September 25 TikTok video of a black cat running to greet its owner. The cat noticed the car stopping and immediately ran towards the door. A screenshot of a September 25 TikTok video of a black cat running to greet its owner. The cat noticed the car stopping and immediately ran towards the door. @shadow.the.house.panther/TikTok
Dogs are famous for being warm and welcoming to their owners, and Shadow is an example of a cat that does the same. In our Vet Explains article, we shared some reasons why cats should be on your welcoming committee.
A cat that greets its owner may have formed a strong bond and wants to show affection. Some members of the feline family may welcome guests into their home because they seek attention and social interaction. In this case, you may also be marking people as territory.
Although the gesture is sincere, there may be a hidden meaning behind a cat’s greeting: food. They may be expecting a meal when their owner returns home. Cats thrive on routine. That said, your cat’s greeting may be due to a need to establish a safe and stable daily pattern.
Viewer reaction
TikTok viewers immediately went crazy over the cat’s reaction when his parents returned. When people learned that she was waiting for them, they demanded that her owner take action.
One viewer wrote: “You know…you should never leave now.”
A TikTok user speculated what was going on in Shadow’s mind, saying, “Mommy’s home! Mommy’s home!”
Another person commented: “I heard ‘mama, mama, mama’.”
A fourth person commented: “And people have the nerve to say, ‘Cats don’t love you.’ Yes, both of my cats greet me at the door.”
Do you have a funny or adorable video or photo of your pet you’d like to share? Send it to life@newsweek.com with details about your best friend. It could be featured in this week’s pet lineup.
