Cat's Plan To Stop Owner From Leaving the Driveway Has Internet in Stitches

Newsweek - Mar 26th, 2025

In a viral TikTok video, a cat owner hilariously showcases her pet's antics as it prevents her from leaving the driveway. The video, uploaded by user @thegreatstink_, features the cat lounging on the car roof, seemingly determined to stop its owner from driving away. The clip quickly captured the internet's attention, garnering over 1 million views and nearly 279,000 likes. It sparked a wave of humorous comments, with viewers suggesting the cat simply wanted to join its owner on her outing.

The video's popularity highlights the enduring charm of feline behavior and the internet's love for quirky pet videos. While cats are known for their independent nature, studies have shown that they recognize their names and can discern voice tones, even if they choose not to respond. This incident underscores both the comedic and enigmatic aspects of cat behavior, resonating with pet owners who often experience similar interactions with their furry companions. The video's success also illustrates the power of social media in amplifying everyday moments into viral sensations.

Social Media Viral Video Tik Tok Scientific Reports Cat Behavior Pet Videos Dr. Paola Cuevas Catster

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RATING

5.4

Moderately Fair

Read with skepticism

The article provides an entertaining account of a viral TikTok video featuring a cat preventing its owner from leaving the driveway. It engages readers with its humorous tone and relatable content. However, the story lacks depth in terms of source credibility and verification of claims. It includes some scientific insights but does not explore them thoroughly. The article is timely and captures the current interest in pet-related content, but its impact is limited to entertainment rather than substantive discourse. While it is well-written and clear, it could benefit from more comprehensive sourcing and a balanced exploration of the topic.

Accuracy

The story presents a viral TikTok video where a cat supposedly prevents its owner from leaving the driveway. The claim that the video has over 1 million views and 278,700 likes is specific but requires verification from TikTok metrics. The reference to a scientific study about cats recognizing their names is mentioned, which adds credibility, but the details of the study are not provided, which affects the precision and verifiability of the claim. The story also cites Catster for explanations on cat behavior, which seems plausible but lacks direct attribution or quotes from the source. Overall, the story contains verifiable elements but lacks sufficient evidence or citations to fully support its claims.

Balance

The story predominantly focuses on the humorous aspect of the cat's behavior, which may not represent a balanced perspective on pet behavior. It briefly mentions scientific findings and expert opinions but does not delve into alternative explanations or perspectives, such as potential safety concerns of a cat on a car roof. The inclusion of user comments adds some diversity of views, but these are anecdotal and not particularly varied. The story could benefit from a broader exploration of the implications or interpretations of the cat's behavior.

Clarity

The article is written in a clear and engaging manner, making it easy to follow. The use of layover text from the video and user comments adds to the narrative without overwhelming the reader. However, the structure could be improved by separating the scientific and anecdotal elements more distinctly. The tone is light-hearted, which suits the subject matter, but may detract from the seriousness of verifying facts. Overall, the article is coherent and accessible.

Source quality

The article references a TikTok user and a scientific study but does not provide direct links or detailed citations, which affects source credibility. The mention of Catster as a source for understanding cat behavior is useful, but without direct quotes or specific studies, it remains a secondary source. The lack of direct input from experts or the TikTok user themselves further limits the reliability of the information presented. The story could be strengthened by including more authoritative sources or direct interviews.

Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose its methodology for verifying the video's claims or the scientific study mentioned. There is an attempt to reach out to the TikTok user for comment, which shows some transparency in sourcing, but the lack of response or further follow-up is not addressed. The article would benefit from a clearer explanation of how information was gathered and any limitations in verification. Transparency about potential biases or the selection of sources is also lacking.