Some cats demand treats before bedtime. Others want a few extra cuddles. But one adorable Tabby Cat has a much more unusual nighttime request, and her dad has apparently learned that saying no isn’t an option.
In a hilarious TikTok video, the determined kitty makes it very clear that she’s not ready for bed until she gets her nightly ride down the backyard slide.
The video begins with the excited cat racing toward the playground equipment as if she’s been looking forward to this moment all day.
Her dad, however, isn’t quite as enthusiastic.
“There’s no way this is happening,” he tells her, apparently hoping she’ll change her mind.
But anyone who has ever lived with a stubborn cat knows how that usually goes.
The little tabby isn’t interested in negotiating. She makes her way toward the slide and waits expectantly for her human to help her complete her bedtime adventure.
Eventually, Dad gives in.
He carefully helps his furry companion up the ladder before scooping her into his arms so they can slide down together.
And that’s when things take an unexpectedly funny turn.
As the pair begin their descent, Dad’s shoes make a loud squeaking sound against the slide. The sudden noise startles the kitty, who immediately squirms out of his arms and makes a quick getaway.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
So much for their sweet little father-daughter moment!
The cat’s dad summed up the unusual ritual perfectly in the video’s caption: “Your cat has apparently decided bedtime isn’t complete until you provide a mandatory slide ride.”
Viewers couldn’t stop laughing at the kitty’s determination, especially when they realized her dad actually had to accompany her down the slide.
“I was not expecting you to have to take the cat down the slide,” one amused commenter wrote.
Another viewer joked, “I love family traditions.”
Someone else pointed out a problem Dad might face someday: “You’re gonna have to explain this to a pet sitter one day.”
Cats are creatures of habit, and many quickly learn to associate certain activities with particular times of day. Whether it’s demanding breakfast at sunrise, waiting for a favorite toy, or insisting on evening playtime, they can become surprisingly attached to familiar routines.
For this adventurous tabby, a trip to the backyard slide seems to have become an important part of winding down for the night.
Of course, slides aren’t designed for cats, so any playground exploration should be closely supervised, with pets allowed to leave whenever they feel uncomfortable.
And judging by this kitty’s quick escape after hearing Dad’s squeaky shoes, she’s perfectly capable of deciding when the fun is over.
One thing is certain: This cat has officially turned bedtime into a family activity, and her poor dad may never get to skip slide duty again.