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By Maria Azzurra Volpe
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A cat owner's well-intentioned effort to create a luxurious outdoor experience for their pet didn't go as hoped after discovering that their cat had other plans.
After spending over $500 dollars on an elaborate catio, the owner discovered that their feline friend wasn't very impressed by the new purchase.
The viral video, shared on TikTok by @user99865328 shows their newly constructed catio—a large, multilevel outdoor enclosure designed to let indoor cats safely enjoy the outdoors. The structure boasts various perches, climbing areas, and ample space for exploration. But despite the impressive setup, the cat seemed uninterested in the luxurious new space.
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Unfortunately, instead of exploring the expansive catio, the cat chose to curl up on the cardboard box that it came in.
This behavior is not surprising to feline behavior experts. According to Purina, cats are naturally drawn to enclosed spaces like boxes because they offer comfort and security.
"Cats get comfort and security from enclosed spaces," explains Purina. "It helps them relax and reduces stress by being in a space where they can't be easily approached from the side or behind."
Although the catio did not immediately appeal to the cat, catios generally offer numerous benefits. Cat advice website Catster says that they allow cats to enjoy the outdoors without the dangers associated with free-roaming, such as traffic or encounters with other animals.
A well-designed catio can provide much-needed mental stimulation and physical exercise, essential for a cat's overall health.
The video quickly went viral on TikTok, gaining over 2.9 million views and 385,400 likes on the platform so far. Many commenters offered helpful solutions to get the cat interested in playing with the expensive catio instead of lounging in the box.
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One user, Thedarkartifices, commented: "They see blue and yellow better than any other colors if you want to buy them more stimulating things for their catio."
ScratchyThings Pet Furniture said: "He's just pointing out that you need to put his boxes in his catio. They look hella comfy."
Amy Sugar said: "I bought my girl an assortment of outdoor tents that connect with cool tunnels and she is happier in the laundry hamper."
Coldcheeto wrote, "You could try to put cat safe plants in the catio to make it feel like a jungle for them."
Newsweek reached out to @user99865328 for comment via TikTok comments. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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