Woman Pranks Cats by Putting Sticky Material on Paws, Sparks Online Debate

A video of a woman attaching sticky paper to her cats' paws to make them flap like birds has gone viral—but not everyone is amused by the prank.

In the footage, posted to TikTok by user @uniquelamebull, a white cat in a hallway is lifted up by a woman and its paws are placed on two ripped pieces of adhesive paper.

When the cat is released from its owner's clutches, it scrambles away on its back legs. Its front legs, paper attached, are flailing in the air.

The woman then does the same to a brown-colored cat and it has the same effect—the animal looking as if it is about to take flight.

The video, which can be viewed here, is set to the R. Kelly song "I Believe I Can Fly" and has been watched 22.3 million times since it was posted on May 13.

The prank has also racked up 3.8 million likes and nearly 33,000 comments, with some viewers finding it hilarious.

One TikTok user, GMell, wrote: "1st one started to take flight."

Another person, Emily :), joked: "This is so mean... I'm trying this tonight on my cats."

Michelle Driscoll posted: "You already know what I'm doing next time I get up out of bed."

Jon Bailey commented: "Hummingcats should be filmed in slowmo. They can flap their paws up to 120 times a minute," alongside a string of laughing-face emojis.

Moonlight_.hasburnasa stated: "They are still learning how to fly!"

Some TikTokers did not find the video humorous, however, suggesting the two cats were not enjoying the experience.

Brilyn93 wrote: "You shouldn't have a cat if you are going to abuse it."

ExcitedMeow added, "I don't think it's good for cats," and Amanda Toic asked, "Why do that?? It's not funny!

In response to some of the criticism—and particularly a post from a user called @trump_loverr that read "yes torture your animals for clout"—@uniquelamebull posted a follow-up video on May 17.

She captioned the clip: "Reply to @trump_loverr I can assure all you KARENS these cats live a better life than you and your kids probably do."

She shows the two cats lounging around at home and films their toys, tunnels and scratching houses, telling the camera: "They live so good."

This is not the first cat post to divide opinion online in recent weeks.

A woman called Ashley Mentzer took her cat to a groomer and posted a photo of the result on Reddit on June 30, saying she had been unable to stop laughing at the pet's appearance. Some commenters were unimpressed by the radical "lion cut," questioning whether it was necessary to shave the cat.

Newsweek has contacted @uniquelamebull for comment.