An indoor cat who made a break for the great outdoors quickly realized she was missing her old life.
Many cat owners choose to keep their pets indoors full time because of the dangers the outside world poses, including predators and cars.
But many owners also recognize that their cats are often determined to check out the outdoors for themselves, slipping through open doors or windows if the opportunity arises.
That's precisely what happened with TikTok user @marylouisiana, who posted a video on October 27 showing what happens "when you escape and then realize that you are not an outside cat."
The clip, which has been viewed more than 1.5 million times, showed the TikToker's glass-paneled front door. On the other side of those glass panels, a tabby cat—eyes wide and dark, ears flattened—can be seen meowing to be let back inside.
Newsweek has contacted @marylouisiana on TikTok for comment on this story.
The video captures a few seconds of the cat's bewilderment at being outside, then the owner opens the door, and the tabby runs into the house with an appreciative mewl.
The owner captioned the video: "Snuck out and got left outside. She didn't realize how hard outdoor life can be."
TikTok users loved the clip, which has racked up more than 276,000 likes and 1,000 comments, many of which interpreted the cat's expression.
"Mother, I am not for the streets, please let me in," one viewer commented.
"I have made a terrible mistake," another wrote, as a user said, "There isn't a food bowl for miles out here!"
"He said I'm not built for the streets mom, I won't do it again," another commented, adding, "The face of pure regret."
One user called it a "look of desperation," while another said they were "showing this to my inside cat right now."
While some pet owners choose to allow their cats to roam outdoors as they please, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals urges people to keep their cats indoors.
Outdoor cats generally do not live as long as indoor cats and are at risk of trauma from cars, fights with other cats, free-roaming dogs, and predators, such as raccoons and coyotes. Outdoor cats are also more at risk of fleas, ticks and infectious diseases.
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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