Skip to main content

The newest TikTok trend is cute, but not great for cats

Seeing a cat cry because you're chopping onions might look funny on TikTok, but it can be harmful to your pet

If you haven’t spotted the #onioncryingchallenge yet on TikTok, you’ll be surprised to see all the little square faces pop up as its stars. That’s right, cats will tear up when an onion is cut just like us. It can be cute and funny to see small tears squeezed out of their scrunched up eyes, but don’t reach for the knife just yet. There are risks to your kitty that might make you stop and reconsider this particular trend.

@lovimals

Who’s cutting onions? ? (@Jakeyy_boy) #cat #catsoftiktok #cattok #onions

♬ original sound – Lovimals

We can’t lie, we’ve watched a few of these TikTok viral videos and given an “Aw” for the adorbs cats who can’t help but shed a tear. They start out with a pet parent chopping up an onion with the feline nearby watching. At first, she blinks, then squints, and finally her eyes get leaky. If you’ve ever had this root bring on the waterworks, you know exactly where she’s coming from. Commenters were quick to jump in to share a laugh or offer tips on keeping the tears at bay, while many cat moms were distraught having just learned that onion tears work on furry friends too.

Recommended Videos
@kaylo.art.designs

I’m the worst mother ever I am so sad cryingcat crying cryingcatmeme catcries? sadcat onioncryingchallenge imtheworstpersonever imtheworstmotherever isuck imsorrymybaby

♬ original sound – kaylo.art.designs

Why do onions make us (and cats) cry?

Of course, this is a complicated chemical process, but basically, volatile sulfur compounds (called syn-propanethial-S-oxide) get released into the air and irritate your eyeballs. As soon as they hit the retinas, you’ll start to tear up. This is a natural reflex that attempts to block your eye from the harmful gas and therefore protect it. Your cat is doing the same thing! They don’t like the onion vapors either and cry tears to protect their beautiful orbs.

Cat walks on the counter in a kitchen
Wirestock Creators/Shutterstock

Are onions harmful to cats?

While the odd tear or two won’t kill anyone, you should move kitty to a different room any time you have onions around. The gas or liquid will bother her eyes temporarily though it should go away. If she gets any of the juice actually on her face it could be more serious. In addition, onions are actually poisonous to cats. Do not let her ingest them in any form — cooked, raw, or dried. They contain chemicals that break down her blood cells which causes anemia and eventually death. It takes only a few grams to get this process started, so we recommend keeping onions and cats separated whenever possible. If she does swallow a piece, call your vet or animal poison control to figure out the next steps.

Naturally, we love funny cat videos as much as the next person, possibly even more. But it might be best to leave this particular one off your list. You don’t want to find your cat gets too much in their eyes and it takes a while for them to stop rubbing or worse, they eat some onions, which causes a trip to the vet. All in all, cats and onions shouldn’t mix.

Rebekkah Adams
Rebekkah’s been a writer and editor for more than 10 years, both in print and digital. In addition to writing about pets…
How to pick up a cat: Avoid common mistakes for a calm cat
Here's how to handle a feline for their comfort and yours
A woman wearing a yellow jacket holds a tabby cat while standing outside

Just like people, cats have their own preferences and personalities that make them one of a kind. Some are more outgoing, while others are shy and reserved. Many felines have a favorite cat toy, food, or person, and all cats have an attitude that simply can't be replicated. Cats also differ when it comes to affection and handling, so it can be tricky to know how to approach picking up a cat.
Luckily, we're here to help you learn how to pick up a cat in a way that's stress free for both of you. With just a little thoughtfulness, you'll be able to handle your four-legged friend with ease and confidence whenever you need to. Not only will this come in handy before vet appointments and using the cat carrier, but it could potentially help your cat get more comfortable with affection and cuddling, too!

Do cats like to be held?

Read more
How much wet food to feed a cat? A helpful guide to keep your cat healthy
Creating the best wet food diet for your feline
Ragdoll kittens eat wet food out of dishes

Cat care isn't a one-size-fits-all situation in any aspect, including diet. Every finicky feline has their own food preferences and habits, but you set the rules when it comes to the amount of food they get each day. It can be tricky to determine how much wet food to feed a cat without a veterinarian's specifications, but you can figure out your feline's ideal food with a bit of research and thought.
And that's where we come in! We've figured out the best ways to determine how much wet food to feed a cat so you can approach mealtime without any questions. Remember, many factors determine a kitty's ideal amount of food, so you'll need to consider more than what's in their food bowl.

Wet or dry food?

Read more
What does it mean when cats blink at you? Here’s the secret signal
How to communicate with your cat using slow blinks
Relaxed cat starting to blink its eyes

Blinking serves multiple purposes for both humans and felines. It helps to flush debris out of the eye, keeps the eye hydrated, and can even protect the eye from impacts and potential injuries. Sometimes, though, your cat may blink for other reasons, especially if they look at you while blinking slowly and deliberately. This special blink isn't so much a physical response as it is a way for your cat to get a message across to you. You can consider yourself lucky if your feline friend looks at you like this!

So, why do cats blink slowly when they look at you? Understanding this behavior can help you learn what they're trying to say and even help you communicate with your cat in the same way!
Why do cats blink at you?

Read more