A social-media video that captures a pet cat’s piano-playing skills has delighted viewers online.
The viral clip, which has been viewed more than 7.8 million times since it was first shared to TikTok on December 28, showed off Goose the cat’s ‘artistic talent’.
Cats are known to be curious companion animals, so while they may not be musically inclined, confident pet felines such as Goose are likely to find themselves drawn to any instruments that may be laying around in their home.
TikTok users were treated to a bizarrely melodic tune by Goose in his turn as a maestro. His owner, who goes by the username @rebecca88833 on the platform, filmed the feline sitting perched on the piano stool while clambering away at the keys with his paws.
The post has been captioned: “My son, Goose. A child prodigy.” The cat and his owner Rebecca live in Philadelphia.
Can Cats Play Piano?
Unlike dogs, cats aren’t great at learning complex commands or following orders. However, it would be highly unlikely for either animal to be able to pick up piano-playing, even if one is more obedient than the other.
However, the pet-insurance firm Pumpkin says that cats can learn certain behavior or be trained to do certain things, even if playing a musical instrument is not one of them.
“Although cats don’t instinctually work in partnership with humans, they can learn to follow commands and perform tricks just like dogs. Cat training can also provide positive mental and physical stimulation for cats, which can help reduce anxiety, aggression, or other destructive cat behaviors,” the company says.
As with dogs, cat owners who are keen to teach their pets a new trick or two are advised to employ positive reinforcement through treats and keep distractions at bay when training.
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What Do the Comments Say?
Since it was shared to the social-media platform, the TikTok post has been liked by over 1.4 million users and commented on more than 12,000 times. Plenty of viewers have written about their amusement at the viral moment in the post’s comments section.
“I need an album release thank you,” one user wrote, while another posted: “Goose face reveal when?”
“In his Aristocats era,” a third added.
One comment read: “Just a thought, has this ever happened at night? I’d be so scared if I just heard the piano playing.”
“He didn’t have to show off with the four paw ending but I’m glad he did,” another TikTok user wrote.
Newsweek reached out to @rebecca88833 for more information via TikTok.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.