A new TikTok challenge is making pets uncomfortable. It’s called the “put itin a bun” challenge. Some users are using a hair elastic to tie up their cats’and dog’s ears.
“Some of them look really uncomfortable and I think that’s the issue,” saidJennifer Galloway, the executive director of the Gulf Coast Humane Society.
Galloway said some videos going around on social media could even beconsidered animal abuse — she said you should always pay attention to how yourpet reacts to what you’re doing, even if it seems innocent.
“If it’s making your pet uncomfortable and squeamish and they’re turning awayor trying to get away from you or growling or snapping , they’re clearlytelling you that’s something they don’t approve of and they don’t want it tohappen,” Galloway said.
Most haven’t involved pets, but this certainly isn’t the first dangerous orconcerning TikTok challenge we’ve seen — from the tide pod challenge to theoutlet challenge, there’s been quite a few.
“I’d say the one challenge with taking as much Benadryl as you can until youpass out is very frightening,” said Dr. Alise Bartley, the director of FGCU’sCommunity Counseling Center.
Many TikTok users said they don’t even want to see this kind of content.
“I more follow people that do the funny dance challenges like the cowboysdoing the WAP dance, and like the husbands and wives that switch clothes,”said Lee County resident Heather Kristen.
Dr. Alise Bartley said there are several reasons the odd or worrisomechallenges keep popping up.
“It’s about boredom, it’s about lack of new behaviors, but it’s about gettingattention,” she said.
Dr. Bartley said any type of harm isn’t worth the likes.
“We do know people have died from this. We’ve got to really look at ‘how is mybehavior impacting the lives of others?’” Dr. Bartley said.
And when it comes to putting your pet’s ears up in a bun, maybe it’s best tojust leave them down.
“Don’t do those type of things just to get a few minutes of fame,” Gallowaysaid.
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