Maine Coon Cat Barks at People Who Displease Her Just Like a Dog

I don’t have the world’s most snuggly cats. To be chosen for a cuddle by one of my cats is considered a great honor in my household, such that if a cat is on top of you, it’s accepted as an excuse to not move, despite duties, chores, or bedtimes. We have called condition “sous chat.”

This Maine Coon cat likes to snuggle—she likes it so much that if her dad tries to move her, she has no compunction complaining with a vicious little bark. That’s right—a barking cat. See for yourself (and make sure to turn up the sound).

“She makes that special sound when he tries to move her,” reads the caption on this adorable video, “because she’s the one who decides when she’s had enough.”

Cat Vocalizations and What They Mean

Though cats are not as well known for their vocalizations as dogs, cat owners will tell you that they soon learn to distinguish between the various sounds made by their feline, and even, in some cases, determine what they mean. When we first brought how my rescue cat, she had recently weaned a litter of kittens, all but one of whom went to homes with other families. For the first few days we had her she’d wander the halls letting out a very particular cry that we soon realized meant “Where is everyone?” She also used it on her remaining kitten, to call the baby to her, and later, when she got herself lost in the shower curtain.

Related: Maine Coon Cat Actually Loves Vegetables and Steals Them Right Off Dad's Plate

Meowing in general is a kitten specific behavior that domesticated cats retain in human households because they notice how much we like to communicate by talking. This is why if you meow at a cat, they are likely to meow back. They’re just saying hi.

Most people’s favorite sound made by cats is purring, a mysterious, low-frequency rumble cats are able to make within their vocal cords which often indicate either contentment or sometimes pain or worry. That cats exhibit purring behavior in both scenarios lead some researchers to think it’s a self-soothing behavior that may even have analgesic or healing properties for the animal.

In this case, the ads warning “bark” is probably most like a mix between a cat’s hiss and their yowl of disapproval—filtered through this particular Maine Coon’s personality.

Are Maine Coon Cats Actually Like Dogs?

Maine Coon cats are a large, popular breed of cat prized ofr their distinct appearance, massive size, and supposedly affectionate and “doglike” personality. Maine Coons are said to like performing tricks, hanging out with humans, and even going swimming. And maybe, statistically speaking, Maine coons are more likely to engage in these activities than your average mixed-breed cat. But plenty of cat lovers will tell you about their random rescue cat that loves playing games, is always looking for cuddles, and even has a penchant for the water.

Why does this Maine Coon bark? Well, maybe she has a dog living with her from whom she learned the noise. Or maybe she has just realized that this particular sound gets her message across.

Cats, as it turns out, are very communicative.

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