Why pets are drawn to pregnant bellies—and what it means for baby
Credit: Tiktok/@brownsfam
As their paws pressed down, her unborn baby kicked back, as if saying hello to his furry siblings.
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When one expectant mom woke up recently, it wasn’t to the sound of an alarm—or even her toddler. It was her cats.
In a TikTok posted by @brownsfam on August 19 (now with over 3.3 million views), the mom of two—pregnant with her third—filmed her cats perched on her bump, kneading away. As their paws pressed down, her unborn baby kicked back, as if saying hello to his furry siblings.
She captioned the moment: “POV: You’re woken up to your cats doing this while your baby boy kicks them back.” In the comments, she admitted, “They do it every night.”
Related: Cat sees postpartum mom struggling to pump—and does something unbelievable
Parents everywhere couldn’t get enough of the interaction.
@shelley1219 wrote: “I’m 37 weeks and this happened for the first time last night with my 2 fur babies. My human baby must have thought he was getting jumped because he was kicking with all his might for dear life.”
Another @xbinky17x86 joked: “They are telling their new best friend to hurry up.”
Can cats really sense pregnancy?
While there’s no definitive scientific proof that cats know a baby is on the way, experts say it’s not impossible. Cats have an incredibly strong sense of smell, and some research suggests they may detect hormonal changes, shifts in body temperature, and even new routines during pregnancy.
Registered nurse and maternity photographer Dayne Adams told Newsweek that in his studio, their resident cat often kneads the bellies of pregnant clients: “Maybe it’s science. Maybe it’s instinct. But after seeing what we’ve seen, I wouldn’t bet against a cat’s intuition.”
The sweet role pets can play in prenatal bonding
For many moms-to-be, pregnancy can feel isolating, and moments like this remind us that connection starts early. A baby’s first “hello” might not just be for their parents—it can be for the pets who are already family. This kind of interaction can help parents feel supported and even imagine the bond their child will share with their pets one day.
Related: New mom’s Reddit post about resenting her pets is met with empathy from fellow moms
Safety and what parents should know
Of course, many pregnant moms worry about toxoplasmosis, a parasite sometimes carried in cat feces. The CDC recommends avoiding litter box duty during pregnancy or wearing gloves and washing hands thoroughly afterward. But cuddling on the couch—or in this case, a belly kneading session—is safe and often comforting.
Kneading, often called “making biscuits,” is a cat’s way of soothing themselves. For expectant moms, it can feel like an unexpected but sweet reminder: your baby is already surrounded by love.
Source:
- CDC. 2025. “About Toxoplasmosis.”
- Cat Protection. “Do cats know you’re pregnant?”
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