This adorable video of a cat and dog’s friendship is the cutest thing we’ve seen

You won't be able to take your eyes off this tiny kitten and her giant best pal

By Rebekkah Adams February 18, 2023

We have all been on the receiving end of tiny pet kisses that warm our hearts to infinity. Sometimes sweet kitties and puppies even give each other affection by delivering plenty of happy licks to their canine or feline friend. Everyone wants their dogs and cats to get along but this pair takes it to the next level.

Watch as the most precious kitten gives her giant dog friend “smol kisses” on the Animals Being Bros subreddit posted by u/westcoastcdn19. Keep in mind this little kitten is approximately the size of the dog’s head yet smooches with abandon. She’s totally engrossed in her job though, and dutifully cleans him with her tiny tongue. Meanwhile, the pooch opens his eyes and indulgently lets her continue, happy that they are besties.

Everyone in the comments was quick to praise the little cat, but u/Boojibs got inside her mind with “‘This bath is going to take 17 hours to complete, fyi’ – kitten, probably” and u/Sal_Ammoniac responded, “‘You smell like a dog, all over! I gotta fix that!'” While cats and dogs can be friends, they still have their natural preference for their own scent apparently.

We especially loved this clever comment, “Well, I’m peanut butter and jealous” by u/Dutchbaked. Finally, u/ZuesLeftNut pointed out, “Imagine if people bonded the same way every other mammal on this planet does. LET ME LICK YOUR FACE.” Who knows, maybe the world would be better if we all acted like our furry friends.

Cat licks her kitten on the head — Felix/Adobe Stock

Why do animals give each other kisses?

Remember that without us, dogs and cats don’t have any way to bathe except with their tongues, so you will probably notice your animal cleaning themselves daily. However, while licking is often functional, it can also be a sign of affection and even hierarchy. You’ll sometimes see the subservient animal grooming the dominant one as a reminder that they support their leader. But mostly, it’s just affection between friends; even in the wild, wolves lick each other in the pack. One last important thing to note, sometimes obsessive cleaning actually means that something is wrong. For example, animals lick a lot when they (or their friends) have parasites or an infection. If this behavior is unusual for your pet, reach out to your vet for a check-up.

We humans live for the sweetness we find when our pups and kitties get along and bond. One good way to foster that relationship is to introduce them slowly and give them time to get used to each other. It’s essential to make sure they are good with one another before giving them more space to interact intimately, like with grooming. Still, if you’re lucky enough to have a mixed-species home, that will bring all of its inhabitant joy.

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Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…

Cats

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This behavior is almost always never something to worry about

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We know all about dog tail wagging, and most pet owners can spot the difference between a happy twitch and a cautious one. But did you realize that cats use their tails to express themselves, too? Like with dogs, the cat tail swish could mean a few different things, and it's important to have some sense of feline behavior — and your specific kitty — to decipher their movements. So why do cats wag their tails while lying down? We'll walk you through the most common causes and when you might need to step in.

Why do cats wag their tails while lying down?
If you stumble upon your kitty lying down and only moving their tail, it's probably because of one of these four reasons.
They feel happy or playful
You might see your cat lying lazily in the sun, but suddenly they give a little tail twitch as you approach. It's not your imagination. They're excited to see you and ready to play. Assuming you don't note any signs of aggression (we'll get to those later), you should head on over to pet your cat or grab their favorite toy and start a game.
It's hunting time
We can all picture the lion stalking their prey while slowly moving their tail back and forth — your cat does this, too. Oftentimes, this one will happen when they're lying on a perch or near a window and can spy on birds or small mammals in the yard. It could even be that they've spotted a fly and will pounce at any minute. All you need to do here is reach for your camera and enjoy your silly kitty at their best.
They're stressed
A cat that feels stressed will often floof their tail and start to wag it. Kitties generally puff up their fur to appear larger and more menacing. This action may also combine with an arched back or a hiss. Alternatively, sometimes tail thumping comes from overstimulation. You'll recognize pretty quickly which movements indicate fear and which mean fun.
They're dreaming
Sometimes, you'll observe your mouser twitch their tail while sleeping. It could come from a simple muscle spasm just like you get when you sleep (it also might mean they're hunting down prey in their dreams). Additionally, your sleepy kitty may be, well, faking it. They might look asleep but are actually just resting and waiting for you to come over.

Cats

Why do cats have tails? Science explains

Whether fluffy or thin, cats' tails serve these essential purposes

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If you've ever wondered, "Why do cats have tails?" you're certainly not alone. Tails are odd appendages for humans to comprehend, but they serve more than one purpose besides simply being cute to look at. Different breeds of cats have different kinds of tails, too, but they all help in the very same ways.
And what about cats that don't have tails? Many felines are born with genetic variants that give them a short or "bobbed" tail, but this hardly affects them at all. The same can be said for cats that lose their tails later in life; it may be an adjustment period, but a tail is not essential to a happy, healthy life.
Here's what else you'll want to know about why cats have tails!

Tails help cats balance when moving and jumping
One of the primary functions of feline tails is to help them balance when climbing and jumping like cats do. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why cats always land on their feet. As they leap or walk on something narrow, they position their tails strategically, like a counterweight.

Dogs

Off-leash dog training is easy if you follow these 5 tips

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We’re going out on a limb here, but it’s safe to say that if you’ve ever caught the look on a dog’s face when he’s running off leash at the dog park, you’ve caught a glimpse of what pure bliss looks like.

As a pet parent, it’s only natural to want to see that expression more often. And, without disparaging the leashed walk around the neighborhood, your dog would probably tell you he’d prefer being off leash more often. Is that possible, given local leash laws and all the mischief your untethered pet can get himself into? Perhaps, if he is well trained.