Cats, those mysterious creatures with a flair for the dramatic and an often comical disregard for personal space. Enter Belen, a feline who’s become a TikTok sensation, embodying this quirky cat trait to a tee. His claim to fame? A video with a whopping 14.5 million views, where he shows just how much he loves being up close and personal with his owner, Luca Gervasi (@iamlucagervasi).
The clip is a classic cat-owner scenario. Luca tries to sneak onto the sofa for a bit of chill time, but Belen has other plans. Cut to the next scene: Luca’s relaxing dreams are dashed as he finds himself with Belen perched on his chest, paws lovingly wrapped around his neck. The caption? “Pov: Life with a cat.” It’s a sight many cat owners know all too well. Some cats play hard to get, content to simply be near you. Others, like Belen, take every chance to turn you into their personal lounge chair, be it your chest, feet, or even face.
@iamlucagervasi Quanto ci mette il vostro gatto ad arrivare sul divano? 🤣🐱 #catlovers #cat #love #foryou #perte ♬ suono originale – Luca Gervasi
And if they can’t find a human spot to claim? Your laptop or that magazine you were reading will do just fine.
But why do some cats love invading our space? Dr. Vanessa Spano, a vet at Behavior Vets in New York City, explains to The Dodo that it’s either about seeking warmth or craving your attention and affection. Sometimes, it’s a bit of both. They’re either showing love or treating you like a cozy heated blanket. However, this clinginess can sometimes be a sign of separation anxiety in cats.
Despite their cool, independent vibe, cats can get anxious when left alone. The ASPCA points out signs like increased meowing, avoiding the litter box, excessive grooming, and destructive behavior. If your feline friend seems too attached, it might be more than just love.
If you think your cat has separation anxiety, try enriching their environment or practice short leave-takings. If these don’t work, a chat with your vet might be in order. They might suggest medication or even behavioral therapy.
Back on TikTok, users are all over Belen’s affectionate antics. One user comments, “I want this problem,” while another shares, “I have a cuddly cat and an ignore me cat, balance.” And then there’s the envious cat owner who wishes their cat was more like Belen: “I wish!! My cat won’t lay on people, doesn’t like being picked up, and doesn’t purr.”
So, whether your cat is a Belen or a more aloof type, they all have their unique ways of showing (or not showing) their love. And that’s just part of the fun of having a cat!
