Indoor cats love to take a walk on the wild side. Many try escaping whenever a door or window is left open. But one indoor cat quickly learned that the grass is not always greener on the other side.
The orange cat, named Simba, managed to escape outside one rainy day after his curiosity got the best of him. He finally tasted freedom, but that adrenaline rush didn’t last long. Within minutes, his owner spotted him and begged him to come back inside.
“He was outside for about 10 to 15 minutes,” the owner told Newsweek via TikTok. “It was too slippery for him to jump back in, so I had to pull him in.”
The November 2 TikTok video, posted to the account @bellaalongsidesimba, shows how Simba’s owner found him—standing on the cold, wet roof crying for help, one meow after the next. He cautiously looked around, waiting for his savior as regret started. The outside lure was finally gone.
When the owner and Simba locked eyes, his face lit up. He knew he was saved.
@bellaalongsidesimba/TikTok
As of Thursday, the TikTok video had amassed over 16.9 million views, 3.9 likes and 7,059 comments. People couldn’t stop laughing at how quickly he changed his mind.
“It was at that moment he knew he messed up,” said one viewer.
People commented on what was going through his mind: “Meowmy was right” and “I changed my mind lemme innnn.”
Another use wrote: “The meows of regret.”
Except he didn’t have too much regret. He still tries to escape from time to time. But when he does it now, he’s particular. The owner said he won’t escape from any open windows and doesn’t dare try it when it’s raining.
How to Stop Indoor Cats From Escaping
Owners with cats that will try bolting for the door at any opportunity know how frustrating it can be. You can never leave the doors or windows open for fresh air. You warn those walking in and out of the house to stay alert. To stop these escape artists, Catster shared the following vet-recommended tips.
- Use positive reinforcement.
- Post signs outside the door to warn guests about the cat.
- Invest in a catio. This will allow them to experience the outside world safely.
- Add a barrier or gate to the doors.
- Consider spaying and neutering your cat. Those that aren’t are more territorial and want to roam and expand their territory.
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.