In a viral TikTok video, a woman from Greenville, South Carolina, was asked to check on her friend’s cat while she was out of town–what she found him doing has gone viral.
The heartwarming clip shared in January under the username @baileykenyon shows the white fluffy cat sound asleep on his bed near the couch, enjoying the sound of the water flowing from the kitchen sink.
“My buddy asked me to check on her cat while she was out of town…This is what I walked in to,” the caption says. “I wonder if he’s dreaming about the ocean???”
Cats Protection explains that many domestic cats are fascinated by running water because of instincts inherited from their wild ancestors, who sought out flowing streams as safer, cleaner sources of water.
Running water is often more appealing than still water in a bowl, so cats may sit by taps, paw at the stream, or try to drink mid-flow.
Flowing water not only reflects instinct, but also attracts cats’ attention through its movement, sound and light, making it both interesting and a potential hydration source.
Providing running water, such as from a pet fountain, can encourage cats to drink more, which can help reduce the risk of urinary and kidney problems linked to dehydration.
Some cats keenly observe the water flow out of curiosity and stimulation. Conversely, some cats avoid tap water because of its taste or smell. Many cats may prefer water bowls placed away from their food, as a natural instinct linked to wild behavior.
The video quickly went viral on social media and it has so far received over 487,300 views and 63,500 likes on the platform.
One user, Anthony Begemann, commented: “Mind if I put on some white noise?”
Becky said: “The obvious answer is that he’s learning to be a plumber and was too embarrassed to practice when people are around.”
Jershthewersh wrote: “I have to make sure mine is turned to cold for this exact reason.”
Newsweek reached out to @baileykenyon for comment via email. We could not verify the details of the case.
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to [email protected] with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.