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By Liz O'Connell
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A living room camera captured the split-second moment a cat skirted a fine line with a candle, sparking panic from her owners while she appeared completely unfazed.
A TikTok video posted by @mayheminem on February 24 drew a mix of laughter and concern from users after the owners jokingly dubbed their orange cat an "arsonist." In the clip, the couple can be seen relaxing on the couch as the cat hops onto the coffee table and settles into her bed. With the owners at home for supervision, a candle had been lit without much thought until the cat's tail slightly grazed over the flame.
"We always sit and watch the pets and any candles we have lit," owner Emily told Newsweek via TikTok. "She usually will sit and face us on the couch or any candle that’s going. After 8 years of life, she decided that she was going to do things differently that time."
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Blissfully unaware, the cat gently swished her tail near the flame. The owners tried to calmly get her attention to avoid startling her, but like a typical cat, she ignored them. At the first sign of ignition, Emily's wife jumped into action, slamming her hand down to put out the flame.
Emily said the contact with the flame was brief, and the cat reacted more to the sudden human intervention than to the singed fur.
“She was totally chill and had no idea!" she said. "Didn’t even realize. She was mostly offended that my wife had swatted at her, and then held a grudge about it for a bit."
The couple said they posted the video as a snapshot of the small surprises that come with living alongside animals. From "funny moments" to panic, their Furbo camera captures it all, and Emily emphasized they are always present with their pets whenever the candles are lit.
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TikTok Users React
With over 1.9 million views on TikTok, the close call quickly sparked a wave of reactions from users, with many admitting the moment made them flinch. Others criticized the couple, suggesting they hadn't responded quickly enough.
One user wrote: "As a cat owner, I no longer light candles because I am not taking any chances."
Another added: "My cat has done this twice, it's terrifying. You would think she would learn and stop jumping up next to candles."
A third user took a lighter view, commenting: "Your immediate panic and your cat being completely oblivious is so funny to me."
“My wife and I have gotten a kick out of people who have been nice and enjoyed our cat just being a cat," Emily said. "And our cat is okay, it was just an accident!"
Candle Safety Around Pets
Veterinary experts caution candles can pose multiple risks for pets. Open flames create a burn and fire hazard if a curious pet gets too close or knocks a candle over, while some scented candles can also irritate pets' airways when used in enclosed spaces, according to The Vet Desk. The article advises owners to keep candles well out of reach, choosing heavier holders that are harder to tip, and never leave a lit candle unattended in a room with animals.
For pet owners who still want a cozy atmosphere without the open-flame risk, opt for pet-friendly candles with natural ingredients or flameless LED candles to avoid any fire.
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.
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