Parade Pets and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.
Our fur babies can sense when their loved ones are suffering or in distress. Their compassion and empathy are seen in everyday life as well as service roles like a therapy dog or cat, bringing much-needed comfort and support for those who are sick or dealing with sadness.
Alti the orange cat was recently separated from his baby brother, Verbier, who was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. The older sibling got to see his kitty sibling in the emergency room for a quick visit and quickly stepped up as big brother.
Alti waited for his baby brother in the examination room until Verbier arrived in a carrier.
“There he is!” their mom said when Verbier was brought in. “Are you excited to see your brother?”
Alti immediately greeted his sibling with a meow and sniffed the carrier when it was set down next to him on the table.
“Verbier, he missed you so much!” their mother shared. “I don’t know who missed you more — me or him.”
The veterinary technician unzipped the carrier as Verbier’s mom gave him some pets. Alti didn’t hesitate to stick his head inside to get as close to his brother as possible and let out some hisses. Then he curled up right next to Verbier in a protective position, almost like he was shielding his little brother from any possible danger while getting in some snuggles.
Followers were moved by the brotherly bond and the care and compassion Alti showed Verbier.
“He doesn’t want anyone touching his brother,” someone pointed out.
“How dare you make me so worried! Move over, we’re cuddlin’!” one joked.
“He went straight into protection mode — WOW,” another remarked.
“He’s hissing because he wants to protect his brother — he said nobody is touching him again,” a follower noted.
Cats Hiss at Unfamiliar Smells
Followers suggested that Alti’s hisses may have been prompted by the smell of anesthesia coming from his brother. Cats are known to react by hissing when exposed to foreign scents at the vet’s office, whether from their own smell or a fellow pet. Alti’s vocal responses could have been a combination of excitement, protection, and uncertainty over specific aromas he encountered.
Regardless of the scent in the air, Alti is clearly committed to helping Verbier through every step of his recovery journey.
Related: Orange Cat’s Outrage Over Mom Letting in a Stray Is Cracking Us Up
🐶SIGN UP to get “pawsitivity” delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends🐾🐾
This story was originally published by Parade Pets on Apr 11, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.