Kitten Found 'Barely Breathing' Comforted by Vet's Cat After Rescue

Be ready for an emotional delight as you watch the moment a cat looks after a kitten who was found at death's door.

Racking up over 7.3 million views, the footage shows a tiny feline lying on a chair while attached to a drip. Rico, the veterinary clinic's resident pet, can be seen cuddling him.

"The kitten was found in a very bad shape on the streets," Imrani Meryem, a veterinarian practitioner in Morocco, North Africa, told Newsweek. "The person who brought him in suggested euthanasia because the kitten was barely breathing." However, after some examinations, the veterinarians didn't want to make any hasty decisions, so they agreed to revisit the idea of euthanasia in two days if the kitten's condition hadn't improved.

Cats
Two screenshots from the viral video showing Caramel the kitten attached to a drip and being cuddled by Rico, the rescue cat. "The kitten was found in a very bad shape on the streets," Imrani... Instagram/@cabinet_veterinaire_imrani

However, with some tender love and care from Rico, a former stray cat, the kitten, who has been named Caramel, was soon up and running.

The heartwarming video posted on the Cabinet Vétérinaire (@cabinet_veterinaire_imrani) Instagram account has received over 674,000 likes.

Meryem, the clinic owner, told Newsweek: "During his hospitalization, Rico stepped up and started licking him and stayed next to him.

"I was happy to see this because the kitten seemed to be more at ease," she added.

Around four weeks later, the kitten was back to normal, said Meryem, who shared another clip of the pair playing.

This kindhearted nature may not be surprising for other male cat owners, as they are said to be more social and playful. Point Vicente Animal Hospital, in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, has previously shared a blog post about the two genders.

The hospital said that male cats are generally more loving toward both humans and their fellow feline housemates, often forming close relationships even with cats they aren't related to.

Male cats also tend to be more active and playful, which can lead to energetic bouts of play, including late-night zoomies. They are a great match for someone who has the time and energy to engage with a playful pet and doesn't mind some nighttime disruptions.

Female felines are described as more standoffish as they tend to be more independent, but that doesn't mean they make poor parents; in fact, it is the total opposite. Female cats have been known to adopt another cat's offspring without hesitation.

At the time of writing, the video has over 5,000 comments. One user wrote: "Sometimes when you're not well, being held makes all the difference in the world."

"Kitten will for sure get better with that much love," posted another.

A third commenter added: "Rico is an angel in cat form."

"While the medical treatment is vital for recovery, Rico's warm, loving body will be the reason this little kitten prospers," commented a fourth user.

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


Lucy Notarantonio is Newsweek's Senior Lifestyle and Trends Reporter, based in Birmingham, UK. Her focus is trending stories and human ... Read more

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