Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cats

Riveting ‘Mission Impossible’ TikTok cat performs action movie-worthy stunt

Amy Hagstrom
By

You know the scene: our hero has gotten himself into quite the pickle, and is now precariously navigating the razor ledge of some highrise somewhere, attempting (and probably succeeding) at lithely sidestepping danger and narrowly escaping sure demise. Or, he’s your cat, and he’s somehow managed to get himself stuck at the top of your shower door.

Because, of course. TikTok user Becky Weldon Fisher, aka @renomnca, found her feline in precisely this predicament and captured it on camera for our entertainment. We love how the shower door slowly opens with her cat’s legs splayed on either side, requiring a (quite graceful, if we do say so) performance of the splits by the cat. When the kitty can no longer hold this position, it’s time for the predictable next move from every action movie ever: the desperate grip on the ledge. You hear the cat’s pet parent (presumably Becky) say ‘push’ at one point, and what’s hilarious is, we don’t know if she’s directing someone else to help or her cat directly!

Recommended Videos
@renomnca

Oh no!! Got himself in a little trouble! #catsoftiktok #funnycatsoftiktok #mochicat #animals #funnyanimals #petsoftiktok

♬ Sneaky Sneaky – Jim Zartman

The music is perfect for the moment, and while the video ends before we see our hero saved, we know the kitty’s pet parents came to the rescue and that all ended well. But if you’re an action movie fan, you’ll thoroughly enjoy the show. Commenters on the TikTok vid, which has garnered 3.4 million likes and 29,000 comments, all echo our sentiments, often giving our kitty hero a few apt lines of dialogue, such as, ‘It’s all over,’ and ‘This is how it ends’. Others saw the cat’s desperate scramble as a metaphor, one TikTok user succinctly commenting: ‘Me, trying to get my life together’.

How to ensure your cat stays on solid ground

Every heard, ‘Curiosity killed the cat?’ Of course you have. Cats are notoriously curious. But their curiosity is actually what keeps them safe, because it’s how they explore their environment. According to The Cat Behavior Alliance, instinct drives your cat to push his boundaries, and this instinct helps him hone his survival skills and keep him sharp. Think of your feline friend as a double agent, training for his next mission at all times.

Other ways cats display their curious natures: you may have noticed your cat enjoys knocking things off the kitchen counter, seemingly just to see them fall; or you may have seen her bat around the contents of your office desk. Yes, it’s irritating, but your cat is simply trying to better understand her world, as well as her place in it.

You can help your cat stay safe by providing her with plenty of stimulation that is contained in a secure environment, like a cat ‘catio’ or another type of contained outdoor space. Indoors, accept that your cat will explore and push boundaries, and yes, you may find your feline scaling your shower or stuck at the top of your kitchen cabinets. But that’s what you’re there for, as a pet parent: you get to be the true hero in your cat’s story.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Amy Hagstrom
Amy Hagstrom
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Amy Hagstrom is an editor for PawTracks and parenting site NewFolks and a freelance writer with bios in USA Today, US News…
4 reasons why cats wag their tails while lying down
This behavior is almost always never something to worry about
Cat yawns while sitting in a window

We know all about dog tail wagging, and most pet owners can spot the difference between a happy twitch and a cautious one. But did you realize that cats use their tails to express themselves, too? Like with dogs, the cat tail swish could mean a few different things, and it's important to have some sense of feline behavior — and your specific kitty — to decipher their movements. So why do cats wag their tails while lying down? We'll walk you through the most common causes and when you might need to step in.

Why do cats wag their tails while lying down?
If you stumble upon your kitty lying down and only moving their tail, it's probably because of one of these four reasons.
They feel happy or playful
You might see your cat lying lazily in the sun, but suddenly they give a little tail twitch as you approach. It's not your imagination. They're excited to see you and ready to play. Assuming you don't note any signs of aggression (we'll get to those later), you should head on over to pet your cat or grab their favorite toy and start a game.
It's hunting time
We can all picture the lion stalking their prey while slowly moving their tail back and forth — your cat does this, too. Oftentimes, this one will happen when they're lying on a perch or near a window and can spy on birds or small mammals in the yard. It could even be that they've spotted a fly and will pounce at any minute. All you need to do here is reach for your camera and enjoy your silly kitty at their best.
They're stressed
A cat that feels stressed will often floof their tail and start to wag it. Kitties generally puff up their fur to appear larger and more menacing. This action may also combine with an arched back or a hiss. Alternatively, sometimes tail thumping comes from overstimulation. You'll recognize pretty quickly which movements indicate fear and which mean fun.
They're dreaming
Sometimes, you'll observe your mouser twitch their tail while sleeping. It could come from a simple muscle spasm just like you get when you sleep (it also might mean they're hunting down prey in their dreams). Additionally, your sleepy kitty may be, well, faking it. They might look asleep but are actually just resting and waiting for you to come over.

Read more
Why do cats have tails? Science explains
Whether fluffy or thin, cats' tails serve these essential purposes
A white cat's tail hangs from the wooden bookshelf

If you've ever wondered, "Why do cats have tails?" you're certainly not alone. Tails are odd appendages for humans to comprehend, but they serve more than one purpose besides simply being cute to look at. Different breeds of cats have different kinds of tails, too, but they all help in the very same ways.
And what about cats that don't have tails? Many felines are born with genetic variants that give them a short or "bobbed" tail, but this hardly affects them at all. The same can be said for cats that lose their tails later in life; it may be an adjustment period, but a tail is not essential to a happy, healthy life.
Here's what else you'll want to know about why cats have tails!

Tails help cats balance when moving and jumping
One of the primary functions of feline tails is to help them balance when climbing and jumping like cats do. In fact, this is one of the main reasons why cats always land on their feet. As they leap or walk on something narrow, they position their tails strategically, like a counterweight.

Read more
Do you have a loaf cat? Why cats curl up into adorable little buns
The different kinds of cat loafing and what they mean
A black cat loafs on a blue blanket

Just when you think your cat can't get any cuter, you find them sitting in an adorable position that you've never seen before. Whether it's a fluffy Maine Coon mix curled up into a ball of fur or a domestic shorthair sitting on the couch the same way their owner sits, there's no shortage of ways a feline's posture can be a reflection of their personality. But have you ever seen a loaf cat?

The term "loafing" is a slang term that recently originated on the internet to describe a particular way a cat sits, and let's just say -- it's adorable! As widely appreciated as loafing is, few cat owners know what's behind the unique posture. So, let's get into it!

Read more