6 days ago
Rescue Cat Takes Being Clingy to the Next Level in Viral Clip
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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It's no secret that cats often form strong bonds with their favorite humans—but one feline has taken devotion to the next level.
In a viral video shared by TikTok user @hannahhstuart, her cat Tito can be seen casually joining her in a bathtub filled to the brim with water. Far from panicked or perturbed, Tito confidently walks around the tub and even places a paw on her leg, clearly unbothered by the splash zone.
The clip, captioned "he is so clingy," has already racked up 3.9 million views and tens of thousands of likes, with viewers stunned by the cat's relaxed attitude in a setting most felines would flee at first splash.
In the comments, Hannah, 24, from Los Angeles, describes Tito as the "craziest" cat in the shelter.
"He was literally climbing on the cage walls," she said, when asked how to get a cat that likes water too.
Tito's behavior defies everything we typically associate with cats and water. While a few breeds, such as the Turkish Van, are known to enjoy the occasional swim, the average house cat is famously water-averse. In fact, a dislike of getting wet is so widespread among felines that it has become one of their most enduring stereotypes.
Newsweek reached out to @hannahhstuart for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
Why Most Cats Hate Water
So what makes cats so opposed to water in the first place?
According to pet care experts at Purina, several key factors contribute to cats' aversion:
Physical Discomfort: When soaked, a cat's fur becomes heavy, making them feel restricted and vulnerable—much like carrying a wet blanket on your back.
When soaked, a cat's fur becomes heavy, making them feel restricted and vulnerable—much like carrying a wet blanket on your back. Evolutionary Background: Domestic cats descend from desert-dwelling ancestors who rarely encountered large bodies of water. Evolution simply didn't prepare them for aquatic adventures.
Domestic cats descend from desert-dwelling ancestors who rarely encountered large bodies of water. Evolution simply didn't prepare them for aquatic adventures. Chemical Sensitivity: Cats have a keen sense of smell and can detect chemical additives in tap water that humans can't. This unfamiliar scent may make them wary.
Cats have a keen sense of smell and can detect chemical additives in tap water that humans can't. This unfamiliar scent may make them wary. Negative Early Experiences: If a kitten's first bath was traumatic, that anxiety often carries into adulthood.
If a kitten's first bath was traumatic, that anxiety often carries into adulthood. Loss of Control: Cats are creatures of control. A full bath robs them of solid footing, dry surroundings, and the ability to escape—an overwhelming combination for most.
Internet Reacts
A stock image of a cat wrapped in a yellow towel after a bath.
A stock image of a cat wrapped in a yellow towel after a bath.
cheong loksi/iStock / Getty Images Plus
Commenters were quick to voice their shock and admiration for Tito's fearlessness.
"Cats usually dislike water so this is really unique," pointed out one user and another asked: "why are you in your cats bath?"
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