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By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
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A white kitten named S’mores has gone viral on TikTok after CCTV footage captured the moment he slipped outside—only to quickly learn the outdoors was far more intimidating than expected.
The clip, posted to the account that documents his daily life, has already amassed more than 2 million views. The caption explains what happened: "My poor baby boy snuck out while my mom grabbed the mail."
In the footage, S’mores initially steps onto the doorstep and begins sniffing around the front of the house, which is located on a main road. His confidence fades almost immediately when a passing car startles him. The kitten attempts to climb the door, circles in confusion and eventually freezes, described as being "in fear" in on‑screen text.
Read More on Pets
As his panic escalates, S’mores begins meowing for help, with each cry growing louder. The moment the door opens, he bolts inside. Viewers have rewarded the dramatic dash with almost 350,000 likes.
Why Outdoor Access Poses Risks for Cats
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) says cats who roam outdoors face significant health and safety risks, including exposure to feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), a highly contagious and incurable condition often compared to HIV in humans.
There is no vaccine, and transmission commonly occurs through bite wounds, which are frequent during outdoor fights. As the illness progresses, it can severely damage a feline’s immune system, teeth, gums and overall health.
FIV is only one of several dangers. PETA notes that outdoor cats may encounter aggressive wildlife, loose dogs and hazardous human environments. Unsupervised felines are at risk of being intentionally harmed, stolen for resale to dealers, or involved in accidents such as vehicle collisions or poisoning. Even in low‑traffic neighborhoods, cats can disappear without warning or return with serious injuries.
To keep cats protected while still meeting their behavioral needs, PETA advises providing indoor enrichment such as:
- scratching posts
- climbing structures
- window perches
- interactive play
These allow felines to remain active and mentally stimulated without being exposed to preventable harm.
TikTok Reacts
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The video of S’mores’ short-lived adventure has generated nearly 350,000 likes and more than 2,500 comments. Many viewers related to the kitten’s rapid change of heart:
"Oh he PANICKED!" one user wrote.
Another added: "I’ve never seen a cat beg to get back IN the house."
A third commenter joked: "Cats always have the nerve to sneak out and then act scared."
"Indoor cats are so scared of the outside," said a fourth user, adding: "I took mine out of the apartment for them to play on the snow and she just wanted to go back in and hide on a corner."
Newsweek reached out to @amberblu for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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