'My Heart Just Exploded': Internet Gushes Over Cats Cuddling in Cute Video

Heartwarming footage showing a pair of cats enjoying an affectionate snuggle is lighting up social media.

It's no great secret that cats love to snuggle, but what's less commonly known is that close contact can actually be beneficial to overall feline health.

The benefits were highlighted in a 2014 study conducted by researchers from the Center for Animal Welfare and Ethics, School of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Queensland in Australia and the Laboratory of Statistical Genetics, Rockefeller University, in New York.

As part of the study, 139 cats were split into two groups. One half spent 10 days being gently stroked by a person or via a tool (for the anti-social or aggressive cats) at least four times a day, for at least 10 minutes at a time.

The other half, meanwhile, were deprived of attention and any kind of close contact. Researchers found that the cats who enjoyed regular close contact were more temperate and benefited from higher levels of immunoglobulin A, an antibody that helps fight against infection.

By contrast, the cats that remained untouched experienced more hair shedding and were found to suffer more with respiratory diseases. The conclusion was clear: cats need affection.

Fortunately for Nala and Kovu, the two cats who feature in the viral video uploaded to TikTok by catsnavu, there's no issue in that department. Their heartwarming embrace can be watched here.

In the clip, which has accumulated 24.4 million views in less than a week, Nala, who is a Siamese cat by breed, can be seen cuddling up to Kovu, who is a European shorthair.

The video begins with Kovu stretched out on a couch, lounging against a cushion. In a flash, Nala enters and heads straight over to her luxuriating feline friend.

While some cats living together have been known to be a little standoffish, Kovu is only too happy to have Nala collapse in his arms and even dishes out a few affectionate licks to her head for good measure.

Nala, for her part, appears utterly blissful, closing her eyes as Kovu licks away.

Though the video lasts for just 11 seconds, the exchange clearly made a big impression among cat fans on social media with the comments section on the clip flooded with heartfelt messages.

Lulu_caty_21 thought it was "so cute" with Daisy70764 writing: "I love this so much." Horror Girl85 called it the "sweetest friendship" adding " these 2 really love each other." 01012004yes wrote "I need this in my life" with Eli Shane quipping that the video was "pawfect."

For some, though, it was all a little bit too much. Mark Campobello commented: "Perfect, now even cats have a better love life than me." Tissina in agreement, wrote: "even cats are in relationships and then there's me."

It's not the first time Nala and Kovu's antics have blown up on TikTok.

Back in March, another video of the pair enjoying a snuggle together racked up 11.4 million views and a similarly enraptured response from fans. It can be watched here.

Lozboz934 thought it was "absolutely beautiful" while Nattasha Terry declared: "My heart just exploded."

Newsweek has contacted Catsnavu for comment.