Man Leaves Cat Home Alone For First Time, Can't Believe What CCTV Shows
A pet owner was left in disbelief by home surveillance footage when he left his rescue cat home alone for the first time.
Greg had been on vacation at home for a week with Penny after adopting her from the Humane Society of North Central Florida, so he was surprised to discover her energetic antics when he left the house to return to work.
In the hilarious clip, shared on Reddit under the username Rearrangioing on Monday, the tuxedo cat—who is a year-and-a-half old—can be seen running up and down the living room, speeding from one side of the room to the other in a behavior commonly referred to as "the zoomies."
"Since I got her right before July the 4th, I was home on vacation the entire first week I had her," Greg, from Gainesville, Florida, told Newsweek. "I did, however, have to go back to the office Monday the 8th, essentially leaving her alone for the first time."
"I couldn't believe the 9-second video that the camera captured. Her first day alone at the house and she wasn't missing me at all. Just zooming around."
Penny's antics were a classic example of cat zoomies, or frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs). These sudden bursts of energy are common in young and indoor cats.
The animals often exhibit this behavior to burn off excess energy, usually after long periods of rest. Zoomies are also a natural expression of a cat's hunting instincts, where they mimic the pursuit of prey.
Understanding the episodes can help owners manage their pet's energy levels better. According to experts, animals might need more mental and physical stimulation if their zoomies become frequent.
According to Catster, activities like interactive play sessions and providing various toys can help channel energy positively. Zoomies can also be a sign of excitement or stress relief, showing that the cat feels secure enough in its environment to engage in such activities.
Greg's video quickly went viral on social media, gaining viewers from across TikTok. It has so far received over 6,100 upvotes and 134 comments on Reddit.
One user commented: "She will be all curled up sweetly waiting for you to get home tonight. Or, she will be on top of the fridge waiting to pounce. This is one of the funniest things I've seen. I need a camera for my two!"
Another said: "I see she's doing her job by messing up the rugs during zoomie time. She's hard a[t] work."
A third added: "Thank you for adopting her from a Shelter. So cool you can monitor her when you are away!"
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