Hearts Break As Cat Realizes ‘Daddy’ Isn’t Coming Home

When Claire, 28, ended a long-term relationship, she expected to feel heartbreak. But what she wasn’t ready for was her cat’s reaction.

In a video that has gained over 3.9 million views on Instagram, Ginger the orange tabby has broken hearts with his concerned pacing and searching. Lingering by the front door and gazing out, waiting for someone familiar to return, the caption explained: “He doesn’t understand that his daddy isn’t coming back.”

Ginger’s “dad” was Claire’s former partner. Since the breakup, the cat has been clinging more than usual, sitting by the door each evening after dinner, something she said he has never done before.

“It has only been a month since we broke up,” Claire, who didn’t give a surname, told Newsweek. “Ginger has been extra clingy and had been sitting by the door every night after dinner. Which he has never done before.”

The heartbreak has added to Claire’s own feelings, not only working through the breakup, but also struggling to see her pet in pain.

Do Cats Feel Grief?

Although cats have long been typecast as independent and emotionally detached, research paints a more complex picture.

In 2020, a study published in the journal PLOS ONE surveyed 130 cat owners via questionnaire, asking them about how their pets react to separation from humans.

Researchers found that cats were clearly feeling the pain of being away from their favorite humans. Those suffering with separation-related anxiety exhibited destructive behavior (67 percent), excessive vocalization (63 percent), inappropriate urination (60 percent), depression/apathy (53 percent).

While another 2017 study examined how cats respond to being left alone and reunited with humans. Cats were left alone for 30 minutes and then four hours in their own homes.

While during separation, behavior didn’t differ, but on reunion after four hours, cats purred and stretched significantly more. Researchers said this proves that cats have missed their owners while they were gone.

As more people viewed the video of Ginger calling for his “dad,” they shared their thoughts in the comments.

Instagram user camyfrg shared a similar experience: “I went through this seven years ago, she was rushing to the door every time the elevator was around or when there was a noise on the floor. I was so angry against him for making her feel that way. And now she has the best cat dad ever, it’ll get better.”

While nessa.em said: “This happened when my ex and I broke up. Our youngest was most attached to him and cried every night looking for him.”

For now, Claire is looking toward the future. “My hopes are me and my two cats can find a safe and stable home,” she said. “And I hope they continue to be happy and cuddly babies.”