A cat owner has shared online what her cat does when she attempts to snooze her sunrise alarm.
In a viral TikTok video shared by Ashley Moffit, 27, (@ashleymoffit_), she can be seen lying in bed with her cat, Maisy, sitting directly in front of the light with her eyes closed. Then, Moffit, a nurse, pretends to go back to sleep, but a lie-in isn't possible as the rescue cat knows what to do next.
Moffit, who lives in Florida, told Newsweek: "She knows when it goes off, I'm usually getting up, so when I don't, she gently taps my face."
The alarm, which uses light rather than sound, is also known as a dawn simulator. This coincides with when cats are most active, so it's no wonder the rescued tabby is keen to get Moffit out of bed. The feline's soft approach has captivated viewers, gathering 2.3 million views.
Are Cats Nocturnal?
According to Tender Care Animal Hospital in Illinois, cats are not actually nocturnal, as they don't stay awake all night and sleep during the day. Instead, they sleep at both times, but not as long as humans. Cats are crepuscular, meaning they are most active during dawn and dusk.
This behavior evolved from their ancestors, whose prey—such as small rodents—was most active at these times. Hunting in extreme heat or total darkness wasn't practical, so cats adapted to a schedule that maximized their chances of finding food. Although their night vision is excellent, they still need some light to see, so they rest when it's too dark.
TikTok Reacts
Many owners familiar with a cat's natural instincts ruining their beauty sleep have commented on the video.
One user, with 24,500 likes, said: "She's so gentle. Mine runs across my head at full speed."
"My cat has 5:30 a.m. MEMORIZED, especially on the weekends," shared another owner, and a third wrote: "My cat does the same thing, but at 2:30 a.m., because he wants me to feed him breakfast lol."
Dr. Sarah Ellis, head of cat advocacy at International Cat Care, a U.K.-based charity, previously told Newsweek that cats can be trained to sleep when their owner does.
She advised feeding cats in small amounts and often, including through the night using timed feeders, as that can help encourage them to sleep.
Ellis explained: "Some cats can adapt their sleep cycles to that of their owners, being more active when their owners are up and about, feeding them, playing with them, and sleeping when their owners sleep.
"However, not all manage this successfully, and ensuring they have activities available overnight to entertain them can help keep the home harmonious."
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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