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A video of a golden retriever's puppy being comforted by a cat has gone viral on TikTok.
The clip, which had three million views and 588,900 likes at the time of writing, was shared by TikToker @hannahcolson with a caption that read: "Baby daddy putting in the work #catdad #goldenretriever."
The video, which was overlaid with a message that read "Fig comforting Olive's baby," featured a cat—a mix of the Burmese, Ragdoll and Birman breeds, according to the original poster—swiftly swooping in to lick and caress a tiny golden retriever puppy whimpering on a carpet floor.
But as heartwarming as the latest video may be, do all cats and dogs really get along this seamlessly?
According to an August 2020 study published in the peer-reviewed PLOS One journal: "Although popular culture describes them as mortal enemies, more and more often, dogs and cats live under the same roof" and "most cohabitations are peaceful."
The study explained that "though the two species have different body languages, dogs and cats understand each other and respond accordingly: if the cat approaches with his tail up, the dog responds amicably while if the dog approaches with his tail up, the cat reacts with aggressive behaviors."
@hannahcolson Baby daddy putting in the work #catdad #goldenretriever
♬ original sound - Hannah Colson
The study said "both knowledge and respect for species-specific pet behaviors are essential to establish a balance in the household."
The cat and puppy duo in the viral post has delighted users on TikTok, with many swooning over the moment shared between the pair.
User Alyssa said: "The urgency that cat had to snuggle omg [oh my god]" in a comment that got 688 likes, while Chloe Bailey noted: "He's [Fig's] not the step dad he's the dad who stepped up" in a comment that got 660 likes.
In a comment that received 29,800 likes, user Sebi Nitu noted perhaps the puppy's dog parent (Olive) may have been thinking "oh, you're taking care of him? I'm...gonna get [some[... Milk."
User Chelsea said: "Olive just went 'well it seems you have a handle on things, I'm going to take a nap' [crying laughing emoji]" in a comment that got 173 likes.
User Sarge and the Kitty Cats wrote: "Fig said 'This my baby now' and Olive really said 'ok, cool'," in a comment that received 495 likes.
In a comment that got 1,252 likes, user THE_Ady joked that Fig, the cat, may have been thinking "do I have to do everything in this house? [angry face emoji]."
Newsweek has contacted TikToker @hannahcolson for comment.
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About the writer
Soo Kim is a Newsweek reporter based in London, U.K. She covers various lifestyle stories, specializing in Read more