Ever see those viral videos of when a newborn meets their parent's identical twin?
Those videos of bewildered babies are adorable! But what can be cuter than a baby? How about... a pet? You would assume most animals could distinguish between people by smell, but sometimes it may take a pet a minute to understand that they are looking at two identical people.
Redditor u/avianthon asked people to share their pet's reaction to their identical twin, and it proved that animals aren't always as sharp as we may think.
20. They become a lap dog
"My sister lives an hour or so away and doesn't see my dog that much but she gets far more excited to see her than anyone else. She's a 70 pound pit and we are 5'1' and gets right in the center of her lap. It's very cute and funny."
19. Cat and dog people
"I have a dog, my twin has a cat. They both treat us like a different human. My dog adores my twin sister and her cat adores me."
18. They listen very well
"Not a twin, but my sis and I sound and look alike. My lab/blue heeler mix will greet her like she's me. Madi (the dog) loves my sister (who tolerates dogs) almost on par with me. My sis lives 3 hours away, so we only see her a few times a year, but man, Madi listens to her like a champ. Madi knows its not me, but she still respects her as a leader of the pack."
18. She never forgot that vet visit
Giphy"My cat (died in December) hated my sister. She first met her when she was a kitten and was actually the person who took her to get spayed because I had to work. Up until that point she seemed to tolerate my sister so she blames that on the personality turn. Either way even when my sister lived with me for a few months when she moved back to this state my cat never warmed to her."
17. This lizard was afraid
"My red eyed crocodile skink kept looking at the two of us then ran in it's cage"
16. They can smell who is who
"Idk what happened to others, but I have 2 friends who are identical twins, they own a golden retriever. One of them, Quincy, owns the dog. They lived separately and when they reunited, me and the dog were there. And the dog was ok, he could smell who's Quincy and who's not. But at the end turns out, the dog likes me the best."
15. This cat loves everyone
"I'm an identical twin and adopted a cat 3 years ago. She's had no different reaction to my brother than me. She's super chill and loves all people."
14. These pets are very welcoming
"My cat doesn't see my brother too much, but if he sees us on the couch together watching football or something, he'll alternate between the two of us like we're the same person. He doesn't really freak out or anything. I just think it's hilarious that my cat doesn't even really know my brother and he still treats him like family, but won't give my roommates the time of day. He either knows we're twins, or thinks we're the same person."
13. This dog was confused by matching outfits
"Our sons are not twins at all, but people mistake them for one another all the time. Oldest son left for 2 years during which time we got a new dog. New dog did not like oldest son when he returned, but adored youngest son from the get go. One day both sons walked in the door wearing the same outfit (not planned) and the dog stood there not knowing who to bark at and who to go to for loves."
12. This dog had to pause
"His dog Pablo the pitbull lost his freaking mind when I walked in, then my brother walked he just.. froze"
11. Like having another dad
"Our dog loves my husband's twin! He went crazy for him immediately, and jumps on him like he does my husband."
10. The cat didn't know who to trust
Giphy"My mom is an identical twin. My childhood cat Linus was a total scaredy cat, abused at an early age and terrified of new people, but an absolute sweetheart with us. When my aunt came to visit for the first time, Linus walked right up to her and snuggled against her leg. She started scratching him and all was going great until he saw my mom. Cue very quick back-and-forth head turns, followed by running up the stairs and hiding for hours! Poor baby!"
9. Pups and kids can't tell the difference
"Rusty was a good boy and was ecstatic there were two of us. More to play with, I guess. He learned to tell us apart though, and I kind of felt like an indulgent uncle with him. It's even more fun as my brother and I have had children in our own families and they can't tell us apart until they are almost two."
8. The birds wouldn't fall for it
Giphy"My dad and his brother were identical and same voice, too. My dad rescued a nest of bird babies whose mama never came back and he would feed them. He would go outside and say 'where are my babies?' And their little heads would pop up, chirping and chattering and he would feed them.
One day his brother came over and my dad told him to go out and say 'where are my babies?' And the birds stayed silent. Not a peep.
He tried again to no avail. My dad said it and instantly the babies popped up and chirping.
They couldn't see him, and his voice was identical yet they just knew. It was uncanny!"
7. An evil twin
"Identical twin here. It's weird because my dog loves me but HATES my sister. Like, when she comes around he growls at her and barely lets her touch him. I have no idea why, he isn't like this to the rest of my family or friends. Maybe he thinks she is an imposter? Lmao we have no idea!"
6. Poor pup...
"My dad and my uncle were identical twins - their voices sound so similar even my mom would get confused before the invention of caller ID. My dad passed away last year, and when my uncle came over the family beagle didn't notice, but when my uncle spoke he perked up. But then he would go and sniff him and get sad again."
5. They can smell the difference
"I'm an identical twin, my dogs had no issues distinguishing between me and my sister. They could tell by smell."
4. Cats don't mess around
"My twin and I have lived separately and together several times. My dog treated my sister and me like two separate members of the same family, but both our cats (one is mine, one is hers) have made it clear from the beginning the other twin is a second class citizen. We have exactly the same voice so when we visit each other there's about 1 minute of 'why are there two of you' and then it's business as usual."
3. The voice was confusing
"my grandfather had a younger brother whose voice sounded indistinguishable from his own, to all us humans anyway. they were not twin like in appearance (nor scent, one assumes).
one day our big studly master of his domain German Shepard catches Uncle Reggie on the front porch and starts going at him and Uncle Reggie says, 'oh Scout, now stop that.'
And Scout did the full cartoon stop, head sideways, and that whimper that sounds like a question mark.
So his appearance wasn't mistaken by the dog at all - but he did confuse the hell out of him with the identical voice."
2. I feel so bad for this loyal dog
"Long time ago my grandfather had a dog that went with him to work the fields on his farm. He passed away and dog stayed with my father and his mother. G-father's brother came up the driveway one day to visit, walking and looking like my g-pa. The dog went crazy in the house. She was barking and going from window to window. They finally let her out as he was walking up the steps to the porch. She ran up to him all excited until she saw it wasn't her master. It was like someone had kicked her. The tail went under and she slowly walked over to her bed and laid down in her sadness."
1. It's thrilling to have two owners
"The first oddly-specific ask reddit I am qualified to answer. My dog lost his mind when my twin came to visit. He excitedly dashed back and forth between the two of us thrilled to see us both.
Then again, he's a golden retriever so he does that with everyone."
@jman42/Bluesky
@SecretaryBurgum/X
@Doug Ellin/X
@evanrachelwood/Instagram