People say that owning a pet is great preparation for parenthood, and Cici Zhang couldn’t agree more. Recently, she filmed herself comforting her cat, Diamond, at 1 a.m.—a routine that happens more often than not. Zhang, 30, compares caring for her cat to looking after a toddler, with moments like these being part of her daily life.
The September 2 footage shared to TikTok (@cicilovecheese) shows Zhang cradling her 7-year-old pet while he suckles on his paw and kneads the air—what she calls “paw paw time.”
Zhang told Newsweek: “Diamond started doing paw paw time the day I brought him home. It’s been a comforting ritual for the past seven years.”
Two screenshots of Zhang holding her cat Diamond like a baby while he tries to go back to sleep following a nightmare. The owner told Newsweek: “It’s been a comforting ritual for the past seven years.”
TikTok/@cicilovecheese
The text overlaid on the video, which has almost 6 million views and over 1 million likes, humorously addresses a common belief: “When people said you don’t know how hard it is to raise a baby. [A] cat is easy!”
The text adds that Diamond had gotten Zhang up after what she suspects was a nightmare. This isn’t unusual behavior for the cat, who, during his early years, used to wake her up at least twice every night for the first 18 months.
Zhang said that caring for Diamond has been a great way to prepare for motherhood when the time comes. “He needs a lot of attention,” she added. “Owning a cat is like having a toddler—they sometimes pee or puke everywhere. It’s like caring for a 2-year-old, but forever.”
About Diamond’s “paw paw time,” Zhang said: “He’s pretending to nurse. It brings him comfort, helping him feel relaxed, happy, and safe.”
Originally from Beijing, China, Zhang describes her American shorthair cat as unique. “He’s very special. He’s a 100 percent indoor cat and doesn’t socialize with other animals or people, but he’s extremely curious, energetic, and very friendly once he’s familiar with someone.”
Why Do Cats Wake Up at Night?
Cats, like their wild relatives, are most active during dawn and dusk. While domesticated felines have adapted somewhat to human routines, many still wake with the first light. Cats Protection, a U.K.-based charity, offers the following advice for owners struggling to get a full night’s sleep due to their felines.
Managing Nighttime Activity
- Rule Out Medical Issues: Cats may wake due to health problems, so always check with a vet before addressing behavioral concerns.
- Address Hunger: Divide your cat’s food into smaller meals, including one before bedtime. Automatic feeders can help during the night.
- Provide Mental Enrichment: Use food puzzles or hide treats to engage your cat mentally and prevent boredom. You can also try glow-in-the-dark toys designed for night play.
TikTok Reacts
Judging by the comments, Zhang isn’t alone; other cat owners can relate.
“My cat is SO needy and particular. any time someone is complaining about their human baby I’m like ‘yeah mine does all that too’ like truly people do not understand how similar it is,” posted one user.
Another wrote: “My boy wakes me up every night because he wants to be petted.”
Zhang also wrote in the comments: “After 7 years Diamond still doesn’t know how to clean his own butt properly. I wipe his butt every day.”
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend, and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
