"Dear Kitten," a joint viral video effort from Friskies and BuzzFeed, generated a staggering 5.2 million YouTube views in just four days this week, proving that cat videos still rule on the Internet.
The nearly three-minute clip, which is essentially an ad for Friskies, is narrated by Buzzfeed's Ze Frank and tells the story of an older cat mentoring a kitten that has just entered the house. It's a play-by-play guide of how to succeed in the new home.
"Dear Kitten: Since I have hissed at you the customary 437 times, it is now my duty as the head of the household to — begrudgingly — welcome you," the cat narrator opens. "Perhaps you are here to replace me. I must do my duty and educate you on your new surrounds, as Maximillian once did for me. Rest in peace."
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"Everyone needs something of a mentor in life, and apparently that also applies to cats,"
Isha Aran, of Jezebel.com, wrote of the video. "'Dear Kitten' is a pretty adorable ode to the housecat, from one disapproving but cultured cat to a fresh naïve kitten, the fool. Topics include, the luxury of wet food so special it is kept in 'little armored metal casings,' the deadly beast known as Va-Cuum, and that damn elusive red dot. It's a much more loving take on the whole cat mentor idea."
Jonathan Vankin, of Inquisitr.com, said the dramatic music and narration make it easy for the viewer to get caught up in the video.
"YouTube views have spawned its own Twitter hashtag, #dearkitten," Vankin wrote. "If you haven't seen the video, watch it, above, and you'll understand why. If you have seen it, you'll want to watch it again — maybe even non-cat-people will appreciate this clever slice of wry humor. But if you are a cat person, or have ever served as human companion to a fine feline friend, you'll appreciate this one."
Fans of the video lined up to sing its praises on Twitter.
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