Cat Has Such an Unusual Reaction to Concrete, Owner Decides to Film It

The peculiar way in which one feline reacts to concrete has left the internet in stitches.

In a video shared by TikTok user @rinehartqueen, her black cat showed off what she does every time she goes near the concrete patio. "Watch how she reacts to being put on concrete," said the owner in the clip that has now been viewed more than 2.5 million times. Newsweek reached out to @rinehartqueen via TikTok for comment.

In the footage, the cat heads outdoors where her owner put her on the concrete surface, only for her to collapse onto the ground and indulge in a bout of rolling and wriggling. "We think she's trying to spread her stink around (her nickname is Stinky), but also getting all the itchies," the owner said in a comment.

Cats like rolling around on the floor for a few reasons. One common explanation is their instinct to mark territory. Cats have scent glands in their cheeks, paws, and tails, and by rubbing against concrete, they can leave behind their scent to mark their territory.

While cats might do this anywhere, it is particularly common for them to roll on concrete. The rough texture offers an ideal surface for them to scratch and alleviate itches.

Other reasons for rolling include being comfortable around their owner. Exposing their belly leaves cats vulnerable, and when they do it in front of humans, it shows a sense of security and trust.

The viral video prompted plenty of owners to share their own experiences of rolling cats. "Why do cats love concrete so much?" asked viewer Ashleigh, while thepixelstash posted: "Probably because it's cold? Like how we prefer cold pillows?"

Fellow cat owner Vincent wrote: "This is EXACTLY what our cat does on concrete!!"

Spirit commented: "I like to think the rough texture is like lots of lil scratchies."

Earlier this year, another cat's rolling antics left people in stitches—this time, involving a 5-pound bag of catnip. Joe Black the cat managed to rip open the huge plastic bag of the herb known to have a unique effect on cats. He proceeded to roll around in the contents with his feline friends, causing carnage in the house.

"Some were zooming around knocking things over," the owner wrote. "A couple decided to start a war, but most of them were just in a daze like they had left the planet and wouldn't be back until snack time."

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.