A cat in Sydney has gained viral attention for her unusual dinnertime set-up.

Kendra, a 14-year-old ginger cat, has delighted viewers on TikTok with footage of her contemplating five separate plates of food—each lovingly prepared by her owner to satisfy the cat's selective palate.

Owner Lauren, who didn't give her surname, was stunned to arrive home and see the meals laid out on the floor. In a video on TikTok she wrote: "Coming home to find my mum has given our 8kg cat not 1, not 2, not 3, not 4, but 5 bowls of food to choose from."

In the caption she joked: "In this economy?"

Lauren told Newsweek: "My mom did this because my cat is spoiled and she's a picky eater. I thought it was funny and a bit shocking, so I shared it on TikTok."

In the comments, people were quick to voice their admiration for Kendra's luxurious dining setup, with one viewer dubbing it "cat tapas" and another joking: "My cat saw this TikTok and now he's mad he only gets one food at a time." Another viewer quipped: "Don't let my cat see this!"

The video highlighted just how finicky cats can be about their food, a behavior that actually has deep evolutionary roots.

Cats are natural hunters, descended from wild ancestors who relied on fresh prey. Today's domesticated cats retain a preference for warm, fresh meals, which mimic the warmth of live prey, and their sensitive palates—equipped with only about 470 taste buds, far fewer than humans' 9,000—they often reject anything that doesn't meet their strict flavor and texture criteria.

While some cats' fussiness can stem from health issues, it's more often a matter of taste. Although if you're worried about your cat's eating habits, it is always a good idea to consult a veterinarian.

Cat eating habits have frequently become the subject of viral moments online. Earlier this year hearts melted as an owner shared how her rescue cat will only eat when her owner holds up the food bowl.

While "distinguished" cat Kiwi was caught on camera sitting at the table with her humans, carefully enjoying chunks of salmon alongside the family.

In Boston, one woman rescued a cat from a shelter back in 2021 who has a very particular mealtime demand. Shaggy has always been very interested in food, but when he started stealing his owner's salad ingredients, the family had to do something.

Instead of shutting Shaggy out of the room, owner Dina started to make him his own side salad that he now demands at every meal.

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.