The video has been viewed over 14 million times, with over 2 million likes after being shared on TikTok by user @catoriess.
In the clip, the kitten adorably aces an iPad game, in which it paws at the screen in attempts to catch mice digitally running across the screen. Seemingly mystified by the mice, it successfully smacks its paws on the screen,
The game being played is one of the many popular cat-specific games available, designed to keep felines entertained at home. Peppy Cat offers 15 different games with different animals for cats to electronically hunt including “bunny, mice, sparrow, colibri and other amusing animals.”
While the game may have kept the cat entertained, the cat has been entertaining millions online with the video.
“I wish cats would stay a kitten forever,” commented one user.
“I’m crying. I love cats,” added another TikTok viewer.
Others drew comparisons with the kitten and children, who similarly become hypnotized by gadget, with one user jokingly dubbing the cat an “iPad kitten.”
“It’s not enough that our kids are hooked. Now our pets are too,” commented another.
Games on tablets and iPads for cats have become increasingly popular in recent years, with more and more pet-design apps being introduced to the market. Cat food company Friskies, for example, entered into the world of cat games in 2011, introducing titles like Cat Fishing and Jitterbug, which follow the same premise as Peppy Cat.
The company even introduced a game named You vs. Cat which allows humans to challenge and play against their pets. Friskies reportedly says that alkali-aluminosilicate screens found on iPads are able to stand against cat paws and claws, but many owners choose to use screen protectors to be sure.
Certified cat behavior consultant Pam Johnson Bennett told pet retailer PetCareRx that despite the games providing entertainment for cats, it’s important to nurture play that involved real rewards too. “If you simply focus on physically keeping your cat active and neglect his need for mental satisfaction and confidence, then you’re doing him a disservice,” she said.
Despite most games having a caught animal burst into colors and shapes, cats are reportedly not as satisfied with this as a human may be, reported PetCareRx. The company suggested to allow the virtual game to become real-life play straight after, or offer treats as a physical gratification for the play.