Mom Lets Dalmatian 'Keep' Her Favorite Foster Kitten & the Resulting Friendship Is Downright Beautiful
There are some who are blessed with a beautiful friendship, someone who is always there for you and a space where you feel safe. And sometimes, that safe person comes from an unlikely place—like a big Dalmatian's new best friend, a tiny kitten.
On November 11, 2024, TikTok user Taylor Meadows (@mywildmeadows) shared a beautiful timelapse video showing the adorable bond between her big Dalmatian and a foster cat that became theirs forever. Get ready to fall in love.
In the clip, the Dalmatian looks at a tiny grey kitten; the size difference is the first thing to notice. Large puppy and tiny kitten aren't typically the friendship blend we see often, but these two have something extraordinary.
As the video plays, we see more adventures the dog and cat have had together. In each clip shared, the kitten is just a little bit bigger than in the last clip. Their friendship and cuddle sessions continue throughout, which is adorable.
One of the best clips is when the kitten (now a cat) is taking a nap and cuddling his big sister's giant Dalmatian leg. She looks so peaceful; you can feel the love through the video.
In the comments, you can really see how touched people are by watching their very special friendship. One person wrote, "Spots and stripes go together like peas and carrots," and another shared, "I feel like I'm watching my childhood dog Pongo and cat Banana Bread experience a new life reincarnated together."
Someone else wrote, "Our Deaf cat was bonded to our Dalmatian—she was the only one not bothered by all dog noise, and the dog seemed to enjoy her company. " Another added, "This is just the best!! I love the life you are all sharing."
Helping Your Dog and Cat Get Along
While it's very clear this Dalmatian and beautiful cat don't need any help bonding together, not all dogs and cats have that same immediate love for each other. But there are some things you can do to help your dog and cat build their bond or at least learn to tolerate each other.
According to the Ontario SPCA, a good first step is managing the environment.
"To help your cat feel safe while adapting to the sounds and smells of your dog, for the first couple of weeks, keep your dog on leash in the cat’s presence," the site explains. "When your dog is ready to be let off leash, it is essential to give your cat dog-free zones he can retreat to for safety if needed (use baby gates or other barriers that limit your dog’s freedom)."
From there, it's all about "creating positive experiences" when your dog and cat come together. Your dog should always be on a lead and supervised.
"Help your furry friends become accustomed to each other’s scents by rubbing a towel on your cat and putting it under the food dish of your dog (and vice versa) and switching beds or sleeping blankets between your animals," the Ontario SPCA writes.
"In addition, you can start feeding their meals on either side of the door to your cat’s temporary room."
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