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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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A woman who brought a tiny kitten home at just two weeks old has gone viral on TikTok—but it wasn’t the kitten that stole viewers’ hearts.
Instead, it was a brown and white dog named Kimmy, who was trained to help locate the petite pet around the house, earning almost 1 million views.
The viral clip, shared by Maddie (@maddie22344), shows the moment she realized her new kitten was so small that she needed help finding her. Text layered over the video reads: “That time I brought home a kitten so small, I had to train my dog to go [and] find it and bring it to me.”
Read More on Pets
From behind the camera, Maddie can be heard instructing Kimmy to “go get the baby,” before asking, “where's the baby?” The dog immediately gets up, wagging her tail, and begins searching for the black kitten.
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It isn’t long before Kimmy gently picks up the kitten using her mouth and delivers her back to Maddie, who is based in Raleigh, North Carolina.
According to the caption, Maddie bottle‑fed the kitten every three hours and worked to keep her warm. She added that the kitten “immediately” bonded with Kimmy, who is a giant compared to the tiny feline.
Viewers were quick to react in the comments, with many praising the dog’s careful behavior.
One user wrote: “The way that he is trying to find the gentlest and softest way to pick the kitten up.”
Another joked: “As a vet, I wouldn’t recommend this, the kitten may get hurt feelings when the dog doesn’t provide personal transportation for the rest of her life.”
A third commenter added: “It fills me with such joy seeing that dogs struggle with how to pick up a kitten just as much as people do.”
What Not to Do When Introducing a Dog and Cat
While the video delighted millions, Newsweek has previously spoken to cat experts about what pet owners should avoid when introducing dogs and cats—particularly when one animal is much smaller than the other.
- Don't rush introductions: early meetings remain short and calm. Brief interactions spread throughout the day over at least a week can help pets adjust, especially when paired with high‑value treats to create positive associations.
- Ensure cats have access to dog‑free areas. Providing high spaces such as shelves or cat trees, along with small hiding spots only cats can fit into, can help them feel safe. Baby gates or pet gates with cat doors can also be used to block dogs from certain areas.
- Don't allow chasing—even if it appears playful. When a cat runs, a dog may interpret it as an invitation to chase, which can increase fear and defensive behavior. Owners are encouraged to intervene early and reward calm behavior around cats.
- Avoid overlooking uncomfortable dog behaviors, such as intense staring, which can be stressful for cats. While some dogs and cats coexist peacefully, compatibility often depends on the individual animals.
- Don't feed the pets in the same space. Cats should not have to compete with dogs for food or water, and owners are advised to give cats one‑on‑one time without dogs present, particularly during play that could trigger chasing instincts.
- Avoid leaving pets unsupervised too soon. Introductions should always be closely monitored for signs of fear, excitement, or tension, and interactions should end while both animals are still calm.
Newsweek is waiting for owner Maddie to provide a comment.
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