Cat Notices Brother Has New Hairstyle, Hysterics at Reaction—‘Backing Away’

Internet users can’t get enough of a cat experiencing his very own Hannah Montana moment after becoming unrecognizable thanks to his new wig.

TikTok user @pancakeandtruffles captured the hilarious video of her cat’s dramatic reaction to his feline brother’s new look, and it’s left the internet in hysterics. The video reveals the exact moment the cat laid eyes on his sibling, who was sporting a small wig at the time, and immediately backed away in wide‑eyed disbelief.

The caption layered over the video explains that the owner decided to place a wig on one of the brothers, and judging by his sibling’s reaction, the makeover was more shocking than expected. The startled cat can be seen slowly retreating away from the supposed imposter, clearly unsure whether it was still actually his feline brother or an intruder.

Since being posted in December, the video has amassed over 5.4 million views and 966,900 likes, quickly becoming a favorite across TikTok. Newsweek has contacted @pancakeandtruffles for comment. We could not verify details of the video.

The cat’s confusion is certainly amusing, although animal‑behavior specialists say it’s not entirely surprising. Research shows that cats rely heavily on scent to identify familiar felines, using pheromones and body odor far more than visual cues. This means that if a cat’s appearance changes—such as with a costume, wig, or even after a bath—it can temporarily confuse members of the same household.

According to veterinarians, cats also use visual body language, movement patterns, and facial cues to recognize familiar companions, but these cues are secondary to scent. A dramatic change in a cat’s silhouette or facial outline can disrupt visual recognition, especially for felines who depend more on context and scent than appearance.