A caring cat is melting hearts after comforting her terrier mix sibling following leg surgery. The gentle feline snuggled with the recovering pup as if to say “I’m here,” and stayed close as he rested. They remained nose-to-nose for the duration of the video, and we can’t stop marveling at their precious bond.

We almost missed the fact that the dog was already cuddling a stuffed bunny, which is completely adorable on its own. Add his compassionate kitty sister into the mix, and we are experiencing cuteness overload.

Dogs, Cats and Empathy

Empathy, technically, means understanding and sharing another’s emotions. Research suggests dogs come pretty close to displaying it. Studies show they will often approach, nuzzle, or lick a person who sounds distressed — even a stranger. Scientists call this “emotional contagion,” meaning dogs pick up and mirror our feelings. You may even notice it at home: if you’re anxious or scared, your dog may become uneasy too.

Cats are a little harder to measure. They’re more independent, and there’s less research, but they clearly read our emotional cues. Cats can recognize facial expressions and often respond in subtle ways — sitting beside you, slow blinking, or quietly keeping you company during tough moments. It may not be empathy exactly, but they absolutely notice how you feel.

So while pets may not understand emotions the way humans do, they’re deeply tuned in to us — and that comfort they offer is very real.

Related: Golden Retriever’s Quirky Sleeping Spot Will Crack You Up

But what about interspecies empathy? People love to say cats and dogs are natural enemies, but they actually communicate better than we give them credit for. They may not speak the same language, but they absolutely understand each other’s signals.

First, the obvious ones: yelps, growls, and shrieks. Those sounds are pretty universal in the animal world and clearly communicate fear, pain, or “back off.” Even across species, both pets instinctively recognize them.

Eyes are another big giveaway. Soft blinking usually means friendliness and calm, while a hard stare is a challenge. You might also notice “whale eye” — when the whites of the eyes show — which signals nervousness or discomfort in both cats and dogs.

When they groom each other (called allogrooming), that’s basically peak friendship. And if they choose to nap near or touching each other, like our friends in this video? That’s the ultimate sign of trust. The closer they sleep, the more comfortable they feel. Some pairs, like our recuperating dog and his cat caretaker, end up cuddling, which is about as close to interspecies love as it gets.

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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Feb 23, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.