Woman Adopts Chihuahua After Old Owner Passes Away, Then Realizes Something

After adopting a Chihuahua, whose owner had passed away, a woman began noticing unusual feline-esque habits.

Chiwee, a small rescue Chihuahua, recently went viral after a June 1 TikTok video shared under the account @chiwiwi11945 showed him in a perfect “loaf” position-a posture more commonly associated with felines than dogs. In the clip, Chiwee sat on the stairs with his front paws completely curled under his body.

His adopter told Newsweek via TikTok that the quirky habit may be rooted in his past life. The family member who rehomed Chiwee sent his adopters photos taken before his previous owner passed. In one image, the small dog is seen relaxing on the bed alongside a cat, which may explain his feline-like mannerisms.

But it’s not just the way he sits.

“When we first got him, he was very quiet, and he still is!” the owner said. “Even when he's playing, he doesn't make a sound. He moves so quietly and can jump surprisingly high.”

One incident in particular cemented Chiwee’s cat-like reputation in the household.

While bathing Chiwee, his owner briefly left the bathroom to grab something she needed, and when she returned moments later, she found him perched in the sink.

“I still have no idea how he managed to get up there,” she said.

Her husband believes Chiwee moves and acts like a cat because he used to live with one.

Can Dogs Learn Behaviors From Cats?

While there is limited research on dogs directly copying feline behaviors, studies suggest that early cross-species exposure can influence how dogs develop socially.

One of the earliest studies on the topic, conducted by animal behaviorist Michael W. Fox, examined puppies raised in close contact with cats during their early socialization period. The research found that early exposure to another species could significantly shape later social behavior. Puppies raised with cats showed altered social responses, particularly in how they interacted with other canines, compared to those raised without such exposure.

A later review in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior supports the broader concept of cross-species learning, noting that dogs are capable of “heterospecific social learning,” meaning they can acquire information by observing and interacting with members of another species.

Together, the research suggests that while dogs do not literally adopt feline behaviors, early and consistent exposure to cats may shape aspects of their development and behavior within a shared household environment.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 5, 2026 at 12:55 PM.