Cat’s Reaction to Owner’s Return After Three Days Says It All: ‘Missed Me’

A cat owner shared a video of his pet’s reaction to seeing him again after leaving home for three days, and internet users can’t believe their eyes.

In a viral Reddit post shared on Saturday by u/eethanoss, the tabby cat can be seen grabbing its owner’s leg in its paws and headbutting him repeatedly, as if trying to show how much it missed him while he was gone. “Went on a 3 day trip, I think someone missed me,” reads a caption shared with the heart-warming clip.

Newsweek reached out to u/eethanoss for comment via Reddit message. We could not verify the details of the case.

While cats have a reputation for being cold and aloof, Georgia-based veterinarian Dr. Jess Kirk says in a Vet Explains Pets article that our felines are also capable of forming strong emotional bonds with us, that go way beyond food or shelter dependency.

So, cats can and do indeed love their owners, but do they also miss them when they are gone, like the tabby in the clip? The answer to this is also yes, according to a Catster article medically reviewed by Dr. Paola Cuevas.

Signs that your pet missed you while away include greeting you with behaviors like purring and headbutting, seeking proximity to you once you are back, and in some cases, even showing signs of anxiety or abnormal levels of stress.

If your cat gets stressed when you are away, they may be suffering from separation anxiety, but don’t worry, there are things you can do to help. Mikkel Becker, a cat behavior consultant at Homeward Pet Animal Adoption Center in Woodinville, Washington, says in an article published by VetStreet that preparing your cat for your absence is the best way to start.

You can do so by giving your feline limited periods of separation, even when you are home, to get them used to your absence. Removing all departure cues can also help. It is also very important to not make a big deal out of departures ad arrivals.

Moreover, creating a calm atmosphere and leaving exciting things for them to do while you are gone can also distract them from their anxiety. You can also call a sitter to stay with them instead of living them alone.

The post quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 71,000 upvotes and 433 comments on the platform.

Oe user, Astricate, commented: “Getting ready to punish you for leaving him.”

Unban_thx posted: “Must be nice, my cat will just meow a little and then it’s back to business as usual.”

PolloCongelado added: “When I went away for 5 days, I left my cat with my parents. When I came back, the cat was looking at me like ‘oh wow you’re not actually dead – anyway – give me food.”

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.