A cat’s demanding way of making sure he keeps warm has left internet viewers in stitches.
Lisa Darlington (@lisadarlington), 55, from Virginia Beach, Virginia, shared a video of her 2-year-old gray Maine Coon cat, Eddie, lying flat on his back in front of the fire. “This guy screamed at me all morning until I started a fire. I have created a monster lol, [laugh out loud]” she captioned the footage on Threads, where it garnered more than 25,500 likes and 471 reposts.
“He is such a big cuddle bug but is also very demanding. He is definitely the boss in my house. What Eddie wants, Eddie gets; whether it is a constant fire all day or cuddling on the couch with me,” Darlington told Newsweek.
She said that, on the day she posted the video her cat had woken her very early with continuous chatter, rubbing his face on the fireplace and “yelling” until she realized what he wanted—a fire. Darlington added that, once she started it, he lay there until it was almost out, then “the screaming began again.” She threw on another log, and the cycle repeated most of the day. The following morning, it began all over again. Darlington said: “He is definitely a spoiled young man.”
View on Threads
Darlington added that, although she posts about Eddie often, this is the first time a clip of him has gone viral. “I’m kind of shocked to say the least. He has always been superstar to me and my group of friends. He is a great cat who is always laying upside down. He loves belly rubs and kisses.”
On Threads, users were obsessed with the flame-loving feline and shared similar tales of their pets.
“He wants warmth. Now he wants his tummy rubbed,” said Suzanne Olsen.
Another, Nick, posted: “Potential solution: teach your cat how to use matches?”
Many others shared cozy scenes of their own fire-lounging cats. One wrote: “I have been hired as the legal representative for all fireplace-loving cats. They’re innocent. Case toasted.” Another added: “But his toe beans have to stay warm and toasty, you know, it’s all justified.”
So why do so many cats gravitate toward heat sources? Experts at Brown Veterinary Hospital say that many felines’ ancestors lived in arid, warm climates—so seeking warmth is built into their DNA.
In addition, a cat’s natural body temperature hovers around 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, higher than a human’s.
Beyond physiology, warmth also offers psychological comfort: it helps cats feel secure and relaxed, much like how a person might appreciate a cozy blanket.
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.