A cat owner from New York received pictures of her pet from the sitter while she was out of town, but the photos weren't exactly what she was expecting.
In a viral TikTok post shared in October under the username @handsomeboypumpkin7, a series of pictures shows the fluffy orange cat posing for the camera, wearing a cowboy hat and a wig that his sitter bought for him, looking a little mad about the fashion show.
"We asked our cat sitter to send photos while we were gone and this is what she sent," reads layover text in the clip.
The poster, 24-year-old Amanda Belawski, told Newsweek that both she and her fiance often travel for work, but thankfully they have "the most amazing cat sitter friend," Zoë Mills, who loves hanging out with their fur-baby, little Pumpkin, when they're not home.
"Every time we ask for photos she gets the memo and sends us a whole photo shoot. This time she bought him a bob wig and he didn't seem like the biggest fan as you can see in the photo," she said.
As spoiled as he may be now, the 7-year-old cat was actually adopted in February of this year from a foster group in New Jersey called Purrfect Catpanion Rescue Community, and he is the "sweetest most snugly boy ever."
The caption said: "I think he misses us," and it might actually be true. Georgia-based veterinarian Dr. Jess Kirk, says in a Vet Explains Pets article that cats have the capacity to miss their owners when they are away, due to their social nature and the strong attachment bonds they are able to form with them.
But don't worry, they won't hold a grudge because you've been away, instead they will probably just be happy to have you back.
Signs that your cat missed you include greeting you promptly, showing affection, seeking proximity, and showing signs of anxiety, says a Caster article, medically reviewed by Dr. Paola Cuevas.
According to Dr. Kirk, as independent creatures, cats can survive alone for up to 24-48 hours with access to food, water, and a clean litter box. However, it is not recommended to leave them alone on a regular basis.
It is always best to ask a loved one to watch your cat when you are away, like the poster did in the clip, or call a sitter in, to minimize the risk of separation anxiety.
The video quickly went viral and has so far received more than 116,600 views and 25,300 likes on the platform.
One user, Primavera Tecknicolor, commented: "I'm so happy to see the cat snuggling, means they're comfortable with that person while the parents are away."
Ainara NH said: "This is what I mean when I ask people to send photos of my cat when I'm away."
Ebony added: "I don't think you are getting your cat back."
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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