Cat Staring Down Greyhound Is Enough To Scare Anyone: 'If Looks Could Kill'

A hilarious standoff between a large cat and a small dog has gained viral attention after a Maine Coon gave an Italian Greyhound a serious death stare. In a video on TikTok, shared by @ninna.ba, 3-year-old cat Zana was caught on camera fixating her stare on unsuspecting Italian Greyhound Nara. With over 2 million views, the hilarious encounter left people in stitches online. "This is a lion stare," said one commenter on the viral video. Another wrote: "The dog is like...ok time to disappear." The pets' owner, Nina Bačaj, from Slovenia, told Newsweek that thankfully there wasn't any real malice at play. "They get along well in general. But, as we know, Maine Coons have a characteristic scary look, but that doesn't mean they are evil," Bačaj said.

Maine Coon cats, renowned for their large size and friendly demeanor, are often referred to as "gentle giants." Originating from the state of Maine, they boast a muscular build, long and thick fur, tufted ears, and a bushy tail. By comparison, the Italian Greyhound is essentially a miniature version of their larger counterpart, the Greyhound. Characterized by their supreme elegance, grace, and high-stepping gait, they are known for their loyalty, affection, and adaptability to various living situations. While decades of cartoons have taught us that cats and dogs aren't made to be friends, this isn't strictly true. A 2018 survey of mixed-species homes conducted by researchers from the University of Lincoln, U.K., assessed 748 owners' perceptions of their cats and dogs' relationships. The survey found that most owners perceived their cat and dog to get along well, with an average rating of perceived amicability in the cat-dog relationship being 6.46 out of 10. Of course, there is evidence that cats are more likely to want to be friends with dogs on their own terms, but some other felines are quick to make friends with their canine companions. The video, which has garnered over 5,000 comments, has sparked a variety of reactions from amused viewers. Social media users flooded the comment section with their interpretations of the intense gaze. User Wicked_House_Creations couldn't help but jest, "Who will tell this sweet dog that it's time to write the last will?" Meanwhile, a commenter named Angela said: "If looks could kill." Some even compared the duo to iconic fictional pairs, with comments drawing parallels between them and characters like Garfield and Odie. One lighthearted comment suggested, "I need a new video confirming the dog is still alive." Before long, Bačaj responded to the Internet's curiosity by sharing another video featuring Zana the cat casually grooming herself while Nara lingered nearby. "Whenever there is something 'bad' going on on videos...there are more views," said Bačaj. "When they are just licking each other—people seem to not like it." 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.