Wrapping presents already takes a special skill that not everyone can master, but when you add a pet into the mix when trying to gift wrap, forget about it.
Cat owner Danielle Voit knows firsthand how challenging it can be to wrap presents when a cat lurks around. She posted a throwback video to the Instagram account @parkourcatbean of what happened last Christmas season with her rescue siamese cat, Bean.
The October 30 video shows Voit sitting on the ground with Christmas wrapping paper and presents in front of her. She rocked a Santa hat to get in the spirit. But as soon as she opened the paper, Bean went full speed ahead. Voit tried pulling it away before Bean ruined it, but it was too late.
The cat clung to the paper and as Voit pulled it away, it ripped. Then Bean poked a hole through another piece at the moment Voit thought she was in the clear. She learned very quickly that a household with cats has no safe space when it comes to wrapping presents.
Believe it or not, there are a few theories about why cats sometimes take a special interest in wrapping paper or other paper materials like newspapers and magazines. An article from Vet Explains says that cats might be drawn to paper for a sense of security and comfort, as it feels like a soft, warm bed. The crinkly texture and rustling sounds offer stimulation, bringing out their natural investigation and hunting skills.
You might also notice your cat obsessing with paper simply because they want to mark their territory. They assert their dominance by rolling around on the paper and leaving their scent.
However, as Voit pointed out in her Instagram video, frustration can build when your cat wants to lay on the paper you're using. The Vet Explains article suggests giving your cat extra playtime and affection, as their desire to be on the paper you have is a cry for attention.
Viewer Reactions
The hilarious and all-too-relatable video amassed over 4.7 million views as of Tuesday. Viewers flooded the comment section with similar stories.
"Bean is like, 'I am the gift!'" one person wrote.
Another said: "I put a laundry basket over my cat lmfao and she just pushed around in it and got the paper anyway."
A third commented: "I'd say gift bags stand a better chance lol until they parkour right into the bags and destroy them from the inside."
Newsweek reached out to @parkourcatbean via email for additional comment.
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