A gray cat named Tiger has left TikTok viewers in stitches after his owner caught him in a rather surprising situation.
In footage posted to @thehutsons on August 20, Tiger can be seen making an unexpected appearance while his owner films from outside a property. A woman's voice can be heard behind the camera asking: "What are you doing? This is very naughty."
It quickly becomes clear why she's so shocked. The text layered over explains: "I've caught my cat red handed using a complete stranger's cat flap!"
"Come on, it's time to come home," his owner repeats several times, before finally bending down to stroke him. Still, she can't hide her exasperation. "You are unbelievable," she says.
But rather than heading home, he decides to linger on the pavement, rolling onto his back and flashing his belly, as if to charm his way out of trouble.
Since being shared, the video has been viewed more than 35,000 times, with many TikTok users amused by Tiger's antics.
One commenter wrote from the cat's perspective: "If I keep showing her my belly, she might forgive me."
Another said: "I have a neighborhood cat that comes in my cat flap every night. He has a little snack (never too greedy), plays with my cat's toys and leaves."
"Total betrayal!! I once saw my cat sitting in a [neighbors] window looking so smug," shared a third owner.
Why Cats Wander Into Other Homes
While Tiger's antics may have surprised his owner, experts say it's common for cats to wander into unfamiliar homes—especially if food or entertainment is available.
Cats Protection, a U.K. charity, explains that cat flaps can sometimes attract unexpected visitors. To prevent this, they recommend fitting a microchip-activated cat flap, which ensures only your own pets can come and go.
Of course, not every household has a cat flap. But even without one, neighboring felines may still pay visits to gardens in search of food, shelter, or curiosity-driven adventures.
How to Deter Cats Naturally
If neighborhood cats keep visiting your garden, a few simple tricks can help:
- Plant shrubs close together to remove open spaces for digging and roaming.
- Use chicken manure pellets (Soil Association-approved) to discourage them from beds and borders.
- Rely on smells they dislike — grow lavender, or scatter citrus peels (which double as compost).
- Don't feed them, or they'll keep returning.
- Keep bird food out of reach and off the ground.
- Secure bins tightly so food smells don't attract curious cats.
Newsweek reached out to @thehutsons for comment via TikTok. We could not verify the details of the case.
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