Himalayan Kitten Didn't Recognize Her Dog After Grooming and Her Reaction Says It All
One little kitty was more than a little shocked after her dog sibling came back from the groomer with a new look.
In a hilarious TikTok clip, Coco, the Himalayan kitten, just doesn't know what to make of Bailey, the dog, who appears much trimmer without all that fur!
@angelarosetv Please enjoy these old videos of my Himalayan cat, Coco as a kitten. #catsoftiktiok#kitten#funnycatvideos#catanddog#heartwarming
original sound - Angela Santiago
"POV: Your dog gets groomed and your kitten doesn't recognize her," the kitten's mamma says in the clip.
Coco approaches Bailey carefully to investigate this new creature, arches her back, and then lets out an awful hiss!
Oh, Coco! That's your sister, for goodness sake!
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Why Are Cats Confused When Pet Siblings Return From the Groomer?
Of course, it's probably not the new look that's thrown Coco off.
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Cats get confused when other pets return from the groomer because they identify companions by scent, not sight. Grooming removes familiar scents and replaces them with unfamiliar, strong odors like shampoo or sanitizer, making the returning pet smell like a stranger. This often causes non-recognition aggression, leading to hissing, swatting, or hiding.
Regardless, fans couldn't get enough of this duo and had plenty to share!
"Too cute!" said a viewer.
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"The poor pup is like, what did I do??" added another.
Others had a more sympathetic take.
"I don't always recognize my dog when he comes back from the groomer either," a third person chimed in.
"I went through the same thing when my husband shaved his mustache and beard. I slept at the edge of the bed, facing away from him. Total stranger danger."
Some viewers felt Coco was just keepin' it real.
"Cats cannot hide if they don't like your new haircut."
I'm sure Coco will figure out soon enough that this new creature is indeed her pal Bailey.
And for what it's worth, I'm really feeling for Bailey. She's probably already thrown off by her new appearance! And to have your pet sister with that kind of reaction must have really hurt!
These two are just the cutest. I'm sure things will return to normal soon, and then Bailey will need another trim!
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 9:55 PM.