Cat Getting '50%' Scared of Toast Leaves Internet in Stitches

We've all heard the term 'scaredy cat' and it looks like the name certainly rings true for this black feline given its latest fear.

In a viral TikTok video shared by owner Thom Hurink [@thomhurink] the cat appears to jump out of its skin when the bread pops out of the toaster.

The clip shared less than 24 hours ago has racked up 694,800 views and over 129,000 likes. To watch the video, click here.

Hurink added the following caption to the comical clip, it says: "Bread is toasted, cat does handstand", and that's exactly what seems to happen: the toaster pops and only the back half of the cat springs high in the air while the front half seemingly keeps walking away, causing viewers to speculate that "Only 50% of him got scared."

There are many reasons why a feline may be fearful such as genetics and their environment, according to the VCA Animal Hospitals. Some cats might have received poor maternal care during development or while kittens.

The cat in the popular video has an unusual reaction to the toaster noise. Other signs of fear can include shrinking, drawing their ears down, hiding, or becoming motionless. A cat's pupils may also become dilated and its back may arch along with the hairs on its back standing up. Some cats may exhibit hostility and hiss when they are feeling anxious too.

Previously, a man shared how he calms down his cat who is scared of the rain.

So far, more than 300 TikTok users have managed to see the funny side of the cat's reaction.

"8 [lives] remaining," said another.

Another person said: "I like that she committed half of her energy to getting scared."

"I have never seen a cat react like that, it's so cute," praised another.

It turns out there is a method behind the madness when it comes to cats jumping. The Dyer Animal Clinic in Indiana has explained why cats jump in certain ways. For example, a cat jumping sideways may indicate they are ready to play or getting ready for a fight.

The Dyer-based veterinarian website states: "Cats have a very flexible spinal column and powerful hind legs, and they are notorious for always landing on their paws."

There are a number of reasons why a cat may jump and most of the time they want to get to a higher place. This could be to hide when they feel threatened, to prove they are dominant, or in this case, when they are frightened by a sudden noise.

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

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