Hearts Melt At 'Usually Vicious' Cat's Unexpected Affection Toward Owner

A typically feisty cat has charmed the internet after unexpectedly changing his tune to offer his owner a sudden burst of affection—raising up his paw to give what looks like a human high-five.

The endearing interaction was filmed by owner Amy, a jewelry designer in Bradford, England, as she tried to record the "usually vicious" pet snuggling up to her.

The clip, posted on TikTok by Amy under the username @earringsbyamy, is having something of a moment online, amassing more than 845,000 views and 86,000 likes since it was shared to the platform on April 11.

@earringsbyamy

Can’t believe I got this on camera😭 #cats #catsoftiktok #cutecat

♬ youre so cute - averyyyy

Amy, 24, who runs her own bracelet crafts brand, shared the unexpected moment with her followers and said, "I was trying to capture a moment where my usually vicious cat was actually being sweet to me but then I caught this."

Viewers watched as the cat, a Nebelung—known for their distinctive blue-gray coat and reserved nature—snuggled up to Amy before lifting a paw to touch her hand in what looks like a high-five. Amy's reaction, a mix of surprise and delight, was evident as she looked directly into the camera and laughed.

The post was captioned: "Can't believe I got this on camera."

What Do the Comments Say?

The candid moment sparked a flurry of comments from viewers, many of whom shared their own experiences with their less-than-cuddly pets in the comments section.

"Whenever my no cuddle cat comes to cuddle I immediately panic that one of us is dying. We both are fine," one user wrote.

Cat
A Nebelung cat. A viral video has captured how a "usually vicious" one showed a surprise moment of affection toward his owner. Getty Images

Another added: "OMG, it's not often I see a Nebelung on my timeline! Your cat is a cutie."

Others related to the cautious approach Amy took with the cat, who she knew to be unpredictable.

"The fear in your eyes to not do TOO MUCH," one user said.

Another TikToker posted: "Anyone with an aggressive cat recognizes your cautiousness. It's the most rewarding when they are sweet though."

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine writes online that the best way to calm down a feisty feline could be by distracting the pet with something attention-grabbing yet harmless.

"The use of noise deterrents within a few seconds of aggressive behavior, such as a blast from a can of compressed air or a person hissing, may be helpful in startling a cat and redirecting his attention. The goal is not to scare the cat, but to distract him and refocus his attention," the college said.

Newsweek reached out to @earringsbyamy for more information via TikTok.

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.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

About the writer


Melissa Fleur Afshar is a Newsweek Life and Trends Reporter based in London, United Kingdom.

Her current focus is on trending ... Read more

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