It’s not every day you see a 40-pound dog frozen in fear at the sight of a 0.9-pound kitten, but that’s exactly what sent the internet into laughter recently.
In a now-viral TikTok video posted by @dogtoroffduty, viewers were treated to the hilarious and heartwarming moment a large dog met a sleeping newborn kitten at a veterinary office. As the vet gently held the kitten, the dog—clearly terrified—climbed onto the veterinarian’s lap, his body trembling and eyes wide. Despite being more than 40 times the kitten’s size, the poor pup looked like he’d just seen a ghost.
The veterinarians couldn’t help but joke about it. “Aw, it’s so terrifying, so scary…” one of them said, trying to reassure the trembling dog. The video’s caption delivered the perfect summary: “A 40lb dog courageously confronts a 0.9lb kitten… harrowing.”
While it’s easy to laugh, there’s actually a reason some dogs respond this way. According to veterinarians in Canada, many dogs are naturally cautious around cats. Their instincts, previous experiences, and a feline’s quick, unpredictable movements can all trigger fear. Dogs who have been scratched or bitten by cats in the past tend to remember it well.
Breed and temperament also play a role. Companion breeds and smaller dogs are often more skittish around new or assertive animals, including kittens. Some dogs simply aren’t wired for feline friendships—at least not without a proper introduction.
Luckily, many breeds like golden retrievers, beagles, and Labradors tend to get along well with cats. Likewise, cat breeds such as Maine coons, Siamese, and rag-dolls are more open to canine company. As long as pet owners take time with slow, supervised introductions, friendships can form—even if they start with a good dose of dramatic flair.
The video has now racked up over 938,000 views and more than 281,000 likes. Commenters couldn’t stop themselves from adding jokes and stories of their own timid pups.
“My kitten has NO EYES and is 1 lb, and my 80 lb pittie shakes and cries,” one viewer shared.
“TBF [to be fair], how many people are scared of 0.5oz spiders?” another chimed in.
Someone else wrote, “That dog clearly lived with a kitten before. It’s all fun and games until the gray fur-ball wakes up and claws your ankles.”
It’s moments like this—funny, endearing, and entirely relatable—that remind us just how expressive and emotionally complex our pets can be. Whether it’s bravery or pure survival instincts, this sweet (and scared) pup gave the internet a much-needed laugh.
Click the video below to watch the full story:
…harrowing #vetsoftiktok #kitten #scardycat #scardydog
♬ original sound – dogtoroffduty
Click ‘SHARE’ below to pass it on to a friend or family member!
This content was created with AI assistance and edited by the iHeartDogs team.