A post showing a cat demonstrating protective behavior toward her sibling and her kittens has warmed hearts on Reddit.
The post, shared by u/PDSnowden on March 13, has garnered 29,000 upvotes and highlights the remarkable bond between two feline sisters, Banana and Pumpkin.
The images in the post show Pumpkin, a black cat, sitting attentively on top of a cardboard box with a cut-out entrance, where Banana, the mother cat, sleeps with her newborn kittens.
The caption accompanying the post reads: “Ever since Banana has given birth, whenever she leaves the box, her sister, Pumpkin, will stand guard on top.”
Veterinary experts say Pumpkin’s actions are more than just affectionate—they reflect a deep-seated feline behavior.
Dr. Matthew McCarthy, the founder of Juniper Valley Animal Hospital in the New York City borough of Queens, told Newsweek: “I think what these cats are demonstrating is matrilineal support within a colony structure, which is a natural …