Cat 'Analyzing' First Christmas Tree Has Internet in Stitches

A cat called Mousse has melted hearts all over the internet after his owner shared his reaction to seeing a Christmas tree for the first time in a clip that has since gone viral on social media.

In the viral clip, shared on TikTok on Tuesday by @Mylo_the_mouser, the black cat can be seen lying on top of his cat tree by the window, staring at the Christmas tree with his eyes wide open and a surprised look on his face.

The heartwarming clip comes with a caption that says: "POV: your cat sees a Christmas tree for the first time." Followed by: "Mesmerized by the lights."

All cat owners know the struggle of keeping your Christmas tree intact with a feline in the house, but have you ever wondered why all cats are so drawn to it? According to the animal charity Blue Cross, cats love to climb Christmas trees and play with ornaments because they are naturally attracted to things that are bright and sparkly.

This doesn't mean cat owners shouldn't get a Christmas tree; they just need to make the right choice for their furbabies. When getting a real tree, the charity suggests buying a non-drop variety—trees that retain their needles longer. That's because real ones produce oils that are mildly toxic to cats and can irritate their mouth and stomach.

Many real trees are treated with fertilizers, which are also toxic to cats, and there is a small risk that sharp pine needles can cause damage to your cat's stomach if swallowed.

To cat-proof your Christmas tree, the charity suggests securing your decorations to the branches as tightly as possible so they're not easily knocked off with a cheeky tap of the paw. Avoiding tinsel, which they could mistake for a toy, is also crucial. It is best to buy a heavy base so the cat can't knock the tree over.

It is also important that you keep your lights off when you're not around to supervise your cat and to keep all the cables tidy, covering any exposed wires with plastic or cardboard tubes.

The video quickly went viral on social media, getting viewers from across TikTok. It has so far received over 317,300 views and 70,000 likes on the platform.

One TikTok user, kelkelcas, commented: "You will be mine. Oh yes, you will be mine."

Commenter russellfore7 said: "Thinking, yep I can make it to the Top Branch."

TikToker Quiss wrote: "I mean, we all are late teens or adults, but if you lay under [the] Christmas tree and look up you will understand."

NY Guida joked: "She's analyzing where to jump first, and how high. You will love it!! That's a picture worth framing."

Newsweek reached out to Mylo_the_mouser for comment via TikTok chat. We could not verify the details of the case.

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.