Senior Cat Claims Golden Retriever Puppy Brother's 'Bedroom' As His Own, and Paws Fly
Sibling jealousy is common, even in dogs. My Pug mix automatically pushes his way in when I give my senior Dachshund a hug. He can't stand not being the center of attention. And of course, my Doxie gets into a snit if she sees her Pug brother getting a snack that's a half a millimeter bigger than hers. They always want what the other has and aren't afraid to show it - and even fight for it.
Theo the senior cat and Meatball the Golden Retriever puppy seem to have the same dynamic. When Theo got a glimpse of of his fur baby brother's furnished crate, he decided to move in and take over.
@sweetsbymaryllc 4.2 MILLION views on Instagram right now! #cat#puppy#goldenretriever
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In the TikTok from @sweetsbymaryllc, Theo and Meatball were both inside a cozy dog crate that apparently was set up for the precious puppy. Yet Theo had other plans.
"POV: Your senior cat brother has decided that your bedroom is better than his and is willing to fight for it," the onscreen text explained.
The senior cat began pawing at Meatball's nose, obviously trying to make a statement, when their mom interjected.
"Theo, that is his kennel!" their mom reprimanded. "That is his room! Theo, get out of his room."
The feline fur baby backed off a bit while Meatball verbalized his protest of the uninvited company. As Theo curled up to get comfortable, the canine cutie sat up and started to get physical. The pretty kitty wasn't about to be intimidated and swatted right back.
Their mom tried again - unsuccessfully - to get Theo to vacate the crate, but the cat refused to leave.
Meatball Got Fed Up
The Golden Retriever puppy screwed up his courage again and swatted at Theo, though his paws never landed. As the older fur baby brother, Theo felt he held all the power and merely hissed at Meatball in response.
Related: 'Huge' 8-Week-Old Golden Retriever Puppy Has the Entire Vet Office Obsessed
That did it for the perturbed pooch. Meatball ran out of the crate and around the room to blow off some steam as Theo gave a final victory hiss.
While their mom didn't condone the behavior, she definitely had a good laugh at the comical chaos.
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This story was originally published June 13, 2026 at 11:10 AM.