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A vet has shared a warning to pet owners with Newsweek amid a potentially "dangerous" TikTok trend involving people taking their companion animals to visit Christmas lights.

Dr. Anna Foreman, an in-house vet at the U.K.-based Everypaw Pet Insurance, issued the warning as videos racked up millions of views on the platform.

In clips seen by Newsweek, pet owners have been driving around Christmas lights with their pets in their cars. The videos are part of a wider trend as people across the U.S. and beyond embrace the festive spirit.

Foreman commented on one particular video, which had more than 12.6 million views, uploaded by the account sadietheoneeyedcat. It shows feline Sadie sitting in the front passenger seat as she and her owner drive around the Christmas attraction in Bowling Green, southern Kentucky.

"I would not recommend following this trend — though visiting Christmas lights with your cat seems innocent, subjecting them to long periods of time in the car can be dangerous, especially if they are anxious or not used to long car journeys," Foreman told Newsweek.

"It's important to remember that cats do not have the awareness to know it is Christmas and will not necessarily enjoy the changes, noise and activity of Christmas festivities such as visiting Christmas lights.

"Pet owners need to think very carefully about the potential consequences these viral trends can have on their beloved pets, as so many can cause psychological or physical harm."

Newsweek found several other instances of people taking their companion animals to see such attractions.

One video by Texas TikToker lifewithpitbullstx showed a pit bull in the front seat of a car watching on as the car passed by numerous Christmas light displays.

Throughout the video, the pit bull could be seen looking out of the windows. Since being uploaded on December 1, the post has attracted an estimated 7.7 million views.

Another clip with the caption: "Take your dog to see Christmas lights," showed a golden retriever looking at the attraction through one of the rear passenger windows. Since being uploaded on December 3, the post has attracted 1.5 million views.

Foreman explained there are several signs that indicate whether a pet is struggling or is uncomfortable with lights indoors and outdoors.

"Pets who are uncomfortable or struggling to cope with a situation, such as the change in house decoration around Christmas, tend to hide away to remove themselves," she added. "They may also become aggressive, particularly if they feel trapped or cornered – for example if an owner were to force them to remain in a situation or interfere with them when hiding away.

"Every animal is different — those who were brought up without exposure to noise and visual stimuli, as well as not being introduced to new people, animals, and situations, during their younger life (particularly before 16 weeks of age) are more likely to struggle to cope in unfamiliar situations and become fear aggressive or anxious when met with something new.

"For this reason, it is vital to expose animals in a controlled and positive fashion to new phenomena when young.

"This was particularly difficult to achieve around the lockdowns and social distancing observed during COVID-19, and with many pets purchased during this time, has led to a generation of animals, particularly dogs, who have trouble coping in new scenarios."

TikToker Sadietheoneeyedcat told Newsweek Sadie was five at the time the video was recorded in 2021 and that she was already experienced with plane and extended car travel.

"She doesn't get sick, anxious, nor does she use the bathroom in her carrier. She's very good in the car as an experienced motor vehicle and momentary aircraft passenger," she said.

"She loves all lights. I have white stringed lights wrapped around my living room walls for her entertainment. Twinkling lights are recognizable for cats, as you can see in the video, even if they are 'color blind.' at least this is the case for my cat with her friendly and curious personality.

"This isn't for every pet and [I] can agree with Dr. Foreman in that sense, however, Sadie is very loved and the best-case scenario for a Christmas light adventure.

"A real animal lover, cat lover, and owner most likely knows their cat's personality enough to know if they can handle a car ride.

"Dr. Foreman only saw 10 seconds of an edited video that didn't show Sadie before and after riding safe and sound in her pet carrier, henceforth removing the 'dangerous' part from the scenario entirely.

"I believe it's a case-by-case scenario as long as you are safe in how you are getting there and know your pet well enough to know if they can handle being taken out of their carrier for five minutes. I am sure with Dr. Foreman's background her advice is necessary, but I also know my sweet Sadie did just fine."

Newsweek has also contacted the other TikTok users mentioned in this article for comment.

Update 12/13/23 at 4:09 a.m. ET; This article was updated to add comments from the poster of one of the videos.

Uncommon Knowledge

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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