Laughter as Cat Defies Owner's Attempt to Keep Him From 'Forbidden Zone'

A video of a cat that managed to thwart an owner's attempt to keep him away from an area that's off-limits has gone viral on TikTok.

The clip was posted in August by Sir George (@sirgeorgetheragdoll), the TikTok account of a ragdoll cat named George, and has received over 316,000 views. The poster is based in New York City, according to the TikTok profile.

A message overlaid on the clip reads: "When you put up pillows to block the forbidden zone, but it backfired and now the forbidden zone is even more comfy and appealing." The footage shows the cat looking cozy while lying on a pillow on a shelf.

A caption shared with the post reads: "Cat: 1 – Human: 0."

The feline's reaction in the video comes as no surprise since cats love sitting in high areas, such as shelves and counters.

"Being in an elevated location is natural for cats because it gives them more ability to see around them and it prevents being ambushed from behind," Pam Johnson-Bennett, the author of several books on cat behavior and training, told Newsweek in 2021.

Vicki Jo Harrison, the president of the International Cat Association, previously told Newsweek that cats tend to love places like counters because the location allows them to satisfy their instinct to climb and jump.

"Cats climb trees and leap long distances to move through their territory, avoid danger and find food," Harrison said.

If you want to train a cat not to jump onto counters or other high areas, it's important to know what exactly is appealing about that location. Not all cats enjoy these spots for the same reason, said Johnson-Bennett, who is the former vice president of the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.

Providing alternatives to these spots that serve the same purpose can steer the feline away from off-limits areas. For example, providing a cat tree or tower can offer your feline another outlet for climbing and hiding, Harrison said.

Several TikTok users were amused by the cat's reaction in the TikTok clip.

Jana Cutler wrote: "George is clearly living his best life." Chris Flores said: "You're just a guest in your own house."

Skevi SuperSkevi noted: "Now he thinks that you have welcomed him."

The original poster replied: "I think he still knows he's not allowed up there, but he's definitely feeling smug about skirting around the rules."

RaFi said: "He needed this place, it's like his little condo." The original poster replied: "He does look very cute up there."

Beth Boehler868 wrote: "Shhh, George is a resting king in forbidden zone!!!"

Megan said: "Might as well clear off that shelf. It's his now." The original poster replied: "I feel like as soon as I clear it off, he'll try and claim the next one."

Newsweek has contacted the original poster for comment via TikTok and email. This video has not been independently verified.

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