Pets can quickly become family, leading many owners to embrace a "what's mine is yours" mentality, but not everyone shares this view.
Dr. Matt McGlasson, a veterinarian in Kentucky, recently received a comment saying it was "disgusting" that he allowed his 5-year-old cat, Rupaul, on his furniture.
In response, McGlasson, @dr.mattmcglasson on social media, created a video detailing the lengths he would go to to make his domestic shorthair feel like part of the family. The clip has racked up 11.8 million views on Instagram since he posted it on October 25.
"While most of my followers consider their pets family, I get several comments each week saying it's gross to have cats on the furniture because of the hair," McGlasson told Newsweek.
In the video, McGlasson holds Rupaul, who can't use her hind legs, and says: "I would let my cat borrow my car. I would co-sign a loan for my cat. I would let my cat do my taxes."
He adds that he owns a business with his cat and says: "My cat has the passwords to all of my accounts. I don't even know the passwords."
"My cat is a beneficiary on my life insurance policy. So yeah, I do let my cat on the furniture. My cat can do whatever she wants. It's her world. I'm just living in it," he continued.
McGlasson told Newsweek: "We believe that letting them be with us enriches their lives as well as ours. There are dozens of studies on the positive effects of the human-animal bond. So don't worry about a little cat hair—it's worth it!"
Indeed, research has found that pets can improve our mental health. An article published by the University of California highlighted the benefits of love from a companion animal.
- It helps reduce stress and anxiety.
- It eases feelings of loneliness.
- It provides unconditional love and support.
- It creates a calming presence.
- It gives a sense of purpose for pet parents.
So it's no surprise that in 2023, 97 percent of U.S. owners considered their pets family, according to a Pew Research Center survey.
Instagram Reacts
McGlasson's clip has received more than 677,000 likes and 19,600 comments, many from fellow pet lovers.
"That's why it's called FURniture. Everything belongs to my cats...they're kind enough to share with me," one user wrote.
Another added: "I bought my house for my senior kitties. I wanted them to feel grass beneath their paws again before their time was up."
Another commenter said, "My cat NEVER touches the furniture...she lies on a blanket, that lies on top of me...who then sits on the furniture...from which I cannot move until she's done napping."
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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