Cat parenting is serious business. Or at least, they make it look that way. One minute, a mama cat is proudly herding her kittens like a tiny, furry parade, and the next, she’s trying to nap while three little troublemakers use her tail as a toy. The patience it takes to raise a litter of kittens deserves an award (and maybe a lifetime supply of treats). Between constant bath time, snack time, and “why are you climbing that” time, cat parents stay busy. Dads might pretend they’re too cool for parenting, but even they can’t resist a curious kitten batting at their whiskers. And no matter how chaotic things get, there’s always a sweet moment. A pile of purring kittens snuggled close, a gentle nuzzle, or that look that says, these are mine, and I love them anyway. Being a cat parent isn’t easy, but it’s endlessly rewarding. They teach their babies how to pounce, play, and purr. and maybe a little bit about ruling the household, too.