A heartwarming TikTok video featuring an orange kitten’s adorable habit of burrowing into its owner’s hair has captured the internet’s attention.
The clip, shared by Daniela (@b8rntod1e), garnered a staggering number of views on the platform, garnering 6.7 million views and 1.5 million likes.
In the video, the kitten eagerly burrows into Daniela’s long brunette hair and curls up as if it’s the coziest place in the world. A text overlay appears that says, “Does anyone know what she’s doing?” And with the playful caption, “Silly girl,” it quickly became a viral sensation.
The reason behind this adorable behavior isn’t just play, it’s rooted in cat psychology.
Veterinarian Claire Turner said cats often exhibit this type of behavior for reasons such as stress, affection or trying to mark their territory.
The most common reason is love. Just like how they groom each other in the wild, cats show affection and bonding by biting and licking their owners’ hair. This sign of affection is a cute way for cats to let your cat know they care.
Sometimes, biting the fur can be a form of play. This is especially true for young cats who see a dangling ponytail as a great opportunity to practice their hunting skills. Other times, you want to attract attention. Cats know that nibbling hair will quickly get noticed, and the behavior will be reinforced.
However, if your cat is stressed, they can calm themselves down by chewing on their fur. Stress in cats can cause a variety of behaviors, including biting human hair to distract themselves. In rare cases, cats may chew their fur due to health or nutritional deficiencies, but this is usually accompanied by other symptoms.
Additionally, burrowing is often a signal of affection and shows how bonded a cat feels to its human. It’s a way for cats to stay warm, especially during the colder months, while enjoying the smell of their owners.
A file photo of a cat with its owner. A cat lovingly cuddles up to its owner, showing genuine affection. A file photo of a cat with its owner. A cat lovingly cuddles up to its owner, showing genuine affection. Ana-O/iStock / Getty Images Plus
The video touched the hearts of viewers, many of whom were moved by the visceral connection between kitten and owner.
“Kittens usually do this to their mothers. Either they’re asking for milk or to see if they remember their mother’s scent,” one viewer shared. “She may also be trying to smell you to let you know she’s yours.”
“Heatless curls,” one user joked. Another viewer said: “Building a nest is a bird’s job.”
Another viewer, Lamar, chimed in with a personal story. “My cat does this because he loves the smell of my hair. He sniffed it every time I lay down and played with it until I figured it out, so I figured it out.”
Adding a humorous twist, another user commented: “She’s making a cocoon, she’s about to become a butterfly.”
“She’s obviously braiding your hair. How sweet,” another user said, amused.
One cat lover says, “Cats believe that human hair is like fur, so kittens like to curl up in it for warmth and scent. “Because it’s stronger,” someone thoughtfully explained.
Newsweek reached out to u/b8rntod1e for comment via TikTok. Details of the incident could not be confirmed.
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