Cat in Utter Shock After Spotting Dad Petting Another Feline—'The Betrayal'

It's not every day that you hear cats get jealous since they're known to be independent, but a recent TikTok video has shown otherwise.

In a TikTok video that was posted last week by @lauren_steenson18, a black cat can be seen looking out the window when she spots her dad outside. Curious, she keeps her eyes on him, watching his every move only to be left shocked when another feline steps into the picture.

The dad can then be seen bending down and petting a different cat. This black cat was caught off guard, heartbroken, and in utter disbelief that her dad would betray her right out in the open and put her paw on the window while also standing on her hind legs to get a better view. Her reaction was proof enough that cats do in fact become jealous.

The video's caption reads: "When daddy is down petting other cats."

The owner told Newsweek via TikTok that the dad ended up apologizing with lots of kisses and hugs. And, thankfully, all was forgiven quite easily, with @lauren_steenson18 writing in the comments section that the cat was all over him as if nothing happened.

TikTok Users React

As of Monday, the TikTok video had over 2.3 million views, 554,000 likes, and 2,720 comments.

"The paw on the window is cinematic genius," commented one TikTok user.

Another added: "The betrayal is real," while a third wrote, "I can feel the betrayal."

A fourth TikTok user jokingly posted: "Alexa play 'All By Myself' - Celine Dion."

One user wrote: "when the paw went up i shed a tear."

Reasons Behind the Jealousy

Jealousy can arise in cats for a variety of reasons, according to PetMD, including big changes in their environment, if they feel out of control, and if new people or pets enter their homes, threatening the attention they receive or the amount of resources available.

Aggression such as hissing, swatting, growling, or unprovoked attacks are common signs of jealous cats. Felines might also show stressed or destructive behaviors when feeling jealous. Owners might notice a stressed cat hiding and going to the bathroom outside the litter box, PetMD wrote on its website.

The signs of insecurity and jealousy will vary from cat-to-cat. It's important to keep a close eye on them and their personality to pick up on any changed behaviors. Speaking with your vet will also help determine the source of a cat's stress, pinning it down to either a medical issue, jealousy, or something else.

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.