...
By Lucy Notarantonio
Senior Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
At first glance, this video may not seem out of the ordinary. It's just a cat eating from his bowl, but there's a twist.
The bowl is empty, and the cat is hinting that he would like it filled. However, his owner captioned the video, "That's not how it works, Bernard."
The hilarious video, shared on an account called @mrpussandpals on TikTok, has racked up over 516,000 views and 114,600 likes.
Read More on Pets
Text overlaid on the video reads: "Please enjoy 20 seconds of my cat pretending to eat to let me know he is hungry."
Almost 900 TikTok users have commented on the January 27 post, and they can't help but laugh.
"He is so hungry, he's delusional," joked one user. Another comment, with 11,500 likes, read: "His acting is 10/10."
A third added, "He is like: Yes, Karen, I am eating the food THAT YOU HAVE NOT PUT IN MY PLATE!!!!"
"Fake it till you make it, I guess," quipped another commenter. The owner replied, "It works lol, I end up feeding him extra. Just for his performance."
Newsweek reached out to @mrpussandpals for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
...
While dogs are often seen as gluttonous, cats can be just as food-motivated. However, a constant desire to eat may indicate an underlying issue, according to Purina.
The pet food company has highlighted the potential causes:
- Boredom: Cats might eat out of boredom, especially indoor cats. Keep them engaged with cat trees, puzzle feeders, or other stimulating activities.
- Parasites: Intestinal parasites can cause hunger by stealing nutrients. A vet can diagnose and treat this with deworming medication.
- Poor diet: An imbalanced diet lacking essential nutrients may lead to excessive hunger. Ensure meals provide the right mix of protein, fats, vitamins, minerals, and carbohydrates.
- Diabetes: This condition impairs energy extraction from food, leading to increased appetite, thirst, and urination. Consult a vet for diagnosis and treatment.
- Hyperthyroidism: An overactive thyroid can cause weight loss despite increased appetite, along with symptoms like hyperactivity or vomiting. Treatment options include medication, surgery, or iodine therapy.
- Cancer: Some cancers hinder nutrient absorption, prompting cats to eat more. Watch for lethargy, vomiting, or weight loss, and consult a vet promptly.
- Aging: Older cats may experience changes in appetite. However, rule out medical causes before attributing this to age.
But it turns out Bernard isn't the only cat who chews thin air to signal hunger. Newsweek previously shared an article about Luna, a Khao Manee, who does it too, and it turns out "air chomping" is a thing in the feline world.
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.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines