Five large dogs get easily intimidated by a tiny cat — and the internet is in stitches

Cats are known for ruling the internet and a lot of that has to do with how they exhibit complex social behaviors. Cats are relatively tinier and yet authoritative even when compared to big dogs. In a video, posted by user @coppersmom16 on TikTok, five dogs, each weighing between 60 to 90 pounds, were caught on camera hesitating to descend a staircase where Nala, a gray tabby cat, unintentionally patrolled. 

The 19-second video clip had the people on the internet in stitches. The dogs can be seen trying their best to pass but Nala's body language stops them from taking any step further. "Yes, this cat rules the house. Five large dogs ranging from 60lbs and 90lbs wouldn't go downstairs due to the gatekeeper. Nala is something else!" the caption read. While many old stereotypes say that cats and dogs don't get along, a 2020 study by researchers at the University of Perugia Italy found that over 62% of dogs and cats play together and 68% even share naps. 

Many people took to the comment section to talk about the hilarious encounter. "I mean, a cat with airplane ears can be pretty scary," read the top comment by @saint_kitsune69. "The fact she can control all of the dogs with a stare is so unbelievably impressive," added @kelsey_jade1. "Wonder who's in charge in that household," wrote another user @phantomgamer323. "Honestly this is my favorite thing in the world cats bullying dogs on the stairs 😂 even my cats do it," added @brighteye.

It's not the first time that a cat has successfully intimidated a dog. In another compilation uploaded by @appyanimals, several smaller clips show different cats scaring various dogs to hilarious extents. In the first clip, a dog can be seen trying to climb the stairs while eyeing the cat, but as soon as the dog comes near, the cat jumps and the dog falls from the stairs dramatically. The second clip is a pretty viral one where a dog simply sits still while a cat sniffs him all over with a pretty intimidating expression. The third clip shows yet another cat simply sitting majestically while a full-grown husky is tucked in a corner facing the wall. The last in the bunch is of a pretty scary Maine Coon cat giving a death stare to a dog who is trying his best to avoid eye contact.

People in the comment section talked about the last cat who hardly did anything but looked the scariest of them all. "I’m kind of afraid of the last cat too," writes @aprrl. "I have to admit the Mainecoon cat is a little scary," added @erinwantsthetruth. "That poor first baby sliding back down the stairs," commented @princess_athena62, speaking of the first dog who fell down the stairs. "How my dog is with my boy cat he will refuse to walk past him or even if he walks by he got that scared look when he’s so much bigger than him," shared @ohsoyou__lala.1. 

You can follow @coppersmom16 and @appyanimals for more pet videos on TikTok.