This TikTok trend is not the cat’s meow.
A veterinary nurse is sounding the alarm on a viral — and allegedly dangerous — social media craze that has pet owners spinning their cats, dogs and even rabbits around by their front legs for laughs and likes.
Jade, a registered veterinary nurse and popular TikTokker appropriately known as Jade The Vet Nurse, blasted the stunt in a PSA-style video posted on Sunday.
She didn’t mince words, calling on pet owners to put their furry friends’ health before their follower count.
“Can we please stop this trend where people lift their cats, dogs, or rabbits by their front legs and spin them around in circles?” she pleaded.
“This puts unnecessary strain on your pet’s joints/muscles and can make them feel dizzy and nauseous, all for the sake of a few views,” she warned. “Let’s be responsible pet owners and get rid of this trend.”
Jade, who has three dogs and three tortoises of her own, explained that the seemingly harmless twirl can lead to real harm — especially for small or fragile pets.
“This is not a nice trend for your pets. It can actually cause damage. By picking your animals up under the front legs, you put a lot of pressure and strain on the shoulders, the elbows, the muscles and the ligaments,” she said.
“You can cause [them] to feel really dizzy and nauseous,” The content creator stressed. “I’ve literally seen people try and do this trend with large dogs, and I have seen people drop their dogs, which can cause injury.”
“I have seen people do this with smaller dogs, and as they’re spinning their dog around, the dog is literally squirming because that is not pleasant for them,” she added.
And when animals start wriggling mid-spin? That’s a big red flag.
She explained that squirming can “cause damage to their spine,” noting that French bulldogs and dachshunds are especially vulnerable to spinal issues.
“I don’t think it’s a very responsible thing to do,” she said. “So I would say if you have posted one of these videos, it’s probably just a good idea to delete it and don’t get sucked into these kind of trends.
“I know you watch them and they look cute and they look fun,” she continued, “but please, guys, think about our pets’ health and welfare first. I don’t think it’s a good idea to do this video for the sake of trying to get a few likes or maybe a viral video.”
Her final plea? Scroll on and don’t engage.
“Always put your pet’s health and welfare first, and please, if you see these videos pop up on your FYP (For You Page), do not interact with them, do not support them,” she urged viewers. “You can just click to see you’re not interested in them, and please do not participate in this trend.”
Jade isn’t the only one who’s furious over the fur-flying fad.
A veterinary nurse on TikTok, along with various animal advocacy groups, is raising awareness about a potentially harmful social media trend. ananaline – stock.adobe.com
This viral craze involves pet owners twirling their cats, dogs, and even rabbits by their front legs, all in the name of entertainment and online popularity. Pixel-Shot – stock.adobe.com
The UK’s People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) warned that spinning pets by their limbs could result in joint or back injuries.
“Limping and stiffness can be caused by several different conditions, the most common being minor injuries and arthritis,” the group said.
“It is important to take your dog to the vets even if their problem appears minor – some dogs are very good at hiding pain from their owner.”
Signs that something’s wrong include limping, reluctance to jump or climb stairs, stiffness after resting, swelling, licking one spot obsessively, or an unusual gait.
Don’t assume it’s just old age — experts say even subtle symptoms may require treatment.
Cat welfare organizations are also hissing at the trend.
Cats Protection’s Daniel Warren-Cummings told Metro: “At no point should an animal deliberately be put in a position to feel fear, anxiety, frustration or experience pain for the benefit of human entertainment.”
Meanwhile, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) said the videos are “completely inappropriate and will likely cause high levels of stress for the animals involved.”
The RSPCA didn’t hold back, calling the trend abusive and slamming social media users who partake “for the sake of a few likes and follows on social media.”
Bottom line? If you want your pet to go viral, try a cute costume — not a chiropractic emergency.
