Cat owner watches kitten play with his late cat's 'ghost' — and is completely spooked

How would a pet parent feel if they saw their pet playing with their deceased pet? There could be mixed feelings, joy that their pet is still around them and fear at seeing their pet playing with a ghost. u/Proper-Grand-3686, shared their story on Reddit about their cats playing with each other. While they were watching TV with their wife, their black cat was wildly running around as usual. The cat then started playing under the pillow, and after a while, he knocked it down and began playing with his tail.

The Reddit user recalled how their cat's eyes began tracking something invisible. He went back and forth down the corridor as if he were playing with another cat. They deduced that it could have been 'ghost' of their deceased kitten, Xavier. They were terrified to see that the way the cat played with his invisible friend mirrored how their deceased kitten used to play with their other cat. For someone who never believed in resurrection or spirits, they felt Xavier’s presence. “Guess I'm no longer an atheist,” they shared.

The paranormal story resonated with many, leading them to share their experiences with the “ghosts” of their pets. u/dog-tongue1 commented how their dog Sierra came back for the other pet dog Auggie when her time was near too. When the owner was away on a trip, the deceased dog came in a dream and communicated that she was there. The pet parent, sensing the urgency, left for home right away and got to spend one last day with Auggie before she passed away.

Such stories raise an age-old question: Can cats see what we cannot see? There’s no scientific evidence supporting the theory that cats can see ghosts. However, a mythological belief supports people’s opinions. Bastet, an ancient Egyptian goddess of protection, had the head of a cat. Egyptians of old believed that the essence of Bastet was carried by the cats, who were mediators between humans and spirits. While such beliefs add a mystical layer to our perception of cats, their behaviors often have practical explanations. The notion that cats sense unseen forces might come from their sharp senses. Their enhanced sensory abilities lead humans to believe in their potential to communicate with the otherworldly creatures.

Experts explain how many heightened feline behaviors are often mistaken for ‘supernatural’ powers. Amy Shojai, a certified animal consultant, explains how cats can sense changes in barometric pressure, which allows them to detect weather fluctuations. What comes as a surprise to us could simply be a heightened perception of cats. According to Daily Paws, Shojai said, "We all know cats act in some ways that make little sense to humans. They stare into space for minutes at a time, or 'track' an invisible something across the room. The cat that reacts with fear, or watches a 'ghost' move around the room, may instead actually track the sound, smell, or sight of bugs in the wall."

While many shared stories of their deceased pets giving signs, a few people responded spiritually to the story in the Reddit comment section. u/FunkstarPrime shared their paranormal experience and commented, “I've seen enough of this sort of thing over the years to know that when a cat is inexplicably reacting to something, it's beyond our human perception, but definitely of this world.” u/Measurement-Able wrote, “I often think that there is a kind of exchange scenario between the older passed pets and the living new ones. I have seen this same thing with my boys (dogs). I think it happens as a kind of changeover. That's how I see it because it only happened once or twice, and that was it. And that's all I think they are allowed from the metaphysical world. I take it as a good thing because I don't want it to continue as an unhealthy tie with someone that has passed and should be gone/ascended.”