Woman Brings Abandoned Kitten Home, Her Cat Steps Up as a Parent

After a cat owner brought home a kitten she found starving and alone, her cat adopted him as her own. On Saturday, TikTok user @fleur.de.lis2 posted a video of the older cat, Bluebelle, grooming the rescued kitten, Arthur, and meowing at her owner. In the video, the poster said: "I found a little kitten last week, and I decided to bring him home. I was a little worried about my cat, Blue, and she was being a bit funny the first few days, but she now seems to have adopted him." The poster has since published a few updates, showing that the kitten is doing well and highlighting Bluebelle's efforts as his adoptive mom. Newsweek has contacted @fleur.de.lis2 for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case. While Bluebelle's maternal instinct seems to have kicked in when her owner brought Arthur home, other cats may have a harder time getting used to new felines in the house. However, with the right introduction, most cats can learn how to cohabitate peacefully. Introducing a new kitten to an adult cat requires patience and a gradual process to ensure both felines adjust smoothly. According to Catster, key steps include creating a safe space for the kitten, taking it to a vet for a checkup and swapping the cats' bedding items to introduce them to each other's scent. Once the cats are comfortable with each other's scent, supervised face-to-face meetings can begin. These meetings should be short initially and gradually increase in duration. Feeding the cats together in the same room can also help them associate positive experiences with each other's presence. It is crucial for cat owners to monitor their pets for stress signs and maintain a consistent routine. Using treats to reinforce positive interactions and staying patient throughout the process can aid in fostering a harmonious relationship between a kitten and an adult cat.

The TikTok video quickly went viral, receiving more than 2 million views and 350,000 likes on the platform. One user commented: "Ah look at her communicating with you, with her little meows, telling you she has a baby! How wonderful is this video?" "Meanwhile I brought home a cat that needed help and my cat won't stop hissing at him," another added. A user said: "I didn't think I could love cats anymore than I already do but everyday this app makes my heart melt entirely over them & their sweetness! Precious beyond belief." 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.