Let’s take a journey back in time, pandas. Picture ancient Egypt, where cats were worshiped as holy guardians and treated like royalty. Fast forward to today, and what do you see? Cats are still stealing the spotlight with their irresistible charm and peculiar looks.
Speaking of cats’ daily routines, did you know that an average cat sleeps around 12-16 hours every day? This extended nap time not only allows the animals to recharge their batteries but also gives their owners plenty of opportunities to capture them in various funny poses.
However, when they’re awake, cats have a knack for turning boring moments into funny adventures, and it’s really amusing to see their mischievous character in action. Their spontaneous antics can be found on the subreddit “What’s Wrong With Your Cat?“, which has 728,000 members, so we decided to delve into its archives and find some really entertaining pictures of our feline friends. Don’t forget to share which one is your favorite in the comments!
Such odd behaviors displayed by cats stem from millions of years of biological evolution. Just like their ancestors, who were solitary hunters, modern cats rely on their natural instincts in order to survive.
But is it just genetics that drive a tabby’s behavior? Or is it the things they pick up along the way? Well, it’s actually a bit of both. Their behavior is a combination of genetic traits and life experiences, creating a purrfectly unique personality.
For instance, it’s their hunting heritage that often leads to amusing situations in a domestic setting. When a cat pounces on a moving shadow, it could be because it mistakes it for prey. This often leads to our favorite pet comically chasing its own tail in circles.
In fact, these natural instincts have also improved their interactions with humans. Modern cats have adapted to use vocalization to attract human attention. Back in the day, meowing was like the secret language of moms and kittens. But now, cats purr to communicate more effectively with humans.
Such genetic traits largely influence a feline’s behavior. But their quirky behavior can also be credited to their life experiences. Let’s dive into how their environment affects them.
Kittens have a critical socialization period from two to seven weeks old. During this time, they’re like little sponges, soaking up everything around them. It is during this time they learn what’s normal and safe. Anything they don’t experience as a baby might become a bit scary later on.
Research shows that kittens who receive 30–40 minutes of petting and play time daily tend to develop a stronger bond with humans. Additionally, if kittens interact with more humans growing up, then they are more comfortable around people as adult cats.
Exposure to different environments also impacts a cat’s demeanor, leading to some rather peculiar antics. A cat raised in a bustling city apartment may develop a heightened sense of curiosity. For such city cats, the living room is their playground as they investigate every hiding spot and secret passage with ninja-like agility
#10 Emulating How She Sees The Humans Sit On The Sofa
#11 She Turns Into This Thing When I Make The Bed And Viciously Attacks My Hair When I Try To Tuck In The Sheets. Yep, She’s Looking At My Hair In This Pic Lol
Meanwhile, their countryside cousin may exhibit a more relaxed demeanor. They enjoy spending leisurely afternoons relaxing in the sun or lazily batting at passing insects. These contrasting environments not only shape a cat’s physical abilities but also influence their social interactions and overall temperament.
It’s this blend of nature and nurture that makes understanding cat behavior fascinating. As cat parents, it’s crucial for us to grasp these quirks in order to make a meaningful connection with our beloved pets. After all, the unique bond between a cat and its human companion often defies conventional expectations.
Unlike dogs, which are known for their ample display of affection and loyalty, cats tend to express their attachment in more subtle yet profound ways. Although known for their aloof nature, cats are secret softies when it comes to their human companions.
Through cuddle sessions and playful antics, they form deep emotional connections with their owners. So, don’t be fooled by their independent nature — these whiskered wonders are just as attached to us as we are to them.
This bond isn’t just about having a furry sidekick, it’s a unique partnership built on trust and mutual respect. Cats, with their keen intuition, can sniff out our emotions faster than a dog can find a treat. They’re our silent confidants, offering purr-fect comfort and cuddles whenever we’re feeling a bit ruff. They always provide comfort during our times of need.
#25 My Scrungly Son Cleaned Himself And Then Sat Like This For Another 30 Minutes
Sometimes, misinterpreting a cat’s behavior could strain the bond between owner and feline friend. Navigating through their quirky moments with patience and empathy makes things easy and manageable. One key approach is to establish a consistent routine for your pet, providing them with structure and predictability in their daily lives.
#28 Look At Doug’s Neck, Hair, And Neck Hair! (And Desperation For Ruffles)
Additionally, providing physical stimulation through interactive toys and playtime can help channel their energy in more constructive ways. Now, whether they are dodging imaginary obstacles like a feline superhero or giving you peculiar looks, all you need to do is sit back, relax, and enjoy the show until they tire out.
And finally, don’t hesitate to seek guidance from a veterinarian or animal behaviorist if you’re struggling to address specific behavioral issues. For more similar pictures, fire up our older publication on weird cat behavior.
When you see a mirror, you see yourself. This seemingly basic ability demonstrates whether an animal being possesses self-awareness. Humans, great apes, dolphins, elephants, and magpies are also said to pass Gordon Galoup’s famous “mirror test.”
It’s still debatable whether our pets like dogs, cats, or rabbits have that same ability. But from what countless pet owners have seen, gazing at yourself is quite a trend in the house animal kingdom. Bored Panda compiled a list of the most adorable little pets looking at their reflections, as if they were telling them: “Mirror, mirror on the wall, who’s the furriest of them all?” We may not know the reason for such behavior, but at least we know the motif.
When we look into a mirror, we recognize that the image we’re looking at is our own. Psychologists see it as a special mental act which requires sophisticated aspects of our consciousness. Interestingly, the ability to be self-aware of one’s reflection is not something we’re born with. It’s only between the age of 18 and 24 months that babies begin to understand what it is that they’re seeing in the mirror.
The mirror self-recognition test has been applied to animals since its inception in the 1970s and has been considered to be the gold standard indicating whether a living being is self-aware or not. While very few animals and primates have showed signs of self-awareness and passed mirror tests, our beloved dogs have failed it.
According toThe Cut, “They do not seem to know, or perhaps they don’t really care, what is going on with the mirror’s scentless, two-dimensional representation of a dog.”
However, many scientists feel skeptical about whether the mirror test is the right indication of animal consciousness. For example, the primatologist Frans de Waal argues that self-awareness should be understood as a broader concept. “I cannot imagine that a cat or a dog—even though they don’t recognize themselves in the mirror—I find it hard to imagine that they have no awareness of themselves,” he said.
And while in human developmental psychology, the mirror represents a significant threshold in our sense of self, animal minds don’t necessarily work like the human mind. Not every animal is attuned to social intelligence so deeply like us, and not every animal perceives the world in its visual dimension. Dogs, for example, could have failed the mirror test because their primary instrument of perception is smell.
#7 “I’m Good Enough, I’m Smart Enough, And Gosh Darnit, People Like Me”
#2 Dog Category / Overall Winner: ‘Guard Dog On Duty’ By Elke Vogelsang
“What is it about dogs that makes us love them so much? Let’s admit it, they please us. They are great fun. They are gorgeous to look at, charming and cuddly. Their loveable, adoring nature appeals to us. They are loyal, protective, cheerful and altogether great company. Dogs give you all their attention. They can make the shiest people feel better about themselves. A recent study found that dog owners tend to be less lonely, less fearful and more extrovert than people without dogs.”
Overall winner Elke explained that 10 years ago Noodles and her other dog Scout alerted her to the fact that her husband was unconscious in the bath. “The diagnosis was a severe brain hemorrhage due to a ruptured aneurysm. If it hadn’t been for the dogs, I would have found him too late. Thanks to them and great doctors he survived, but during the stressful months that followed, I found photography as a creative outlet,” she shared.
With 3k pounds up for grabs, there was a lot of interest in the competition. And it really was a win-win kind of situation for everyone: all of us get a good laugh looking at the photos, the photographers get the attention that they deserve, and the limelight’s shining full force on how to best help pets in need.
Some of the other winners include Malgorzata Russell who won the Cat Category award, Magdalena Strakova who was the winner of the Mighty Horse Category, and Anne Linder who got the award for All Other Creatures. Meanwhile, Hannah Seeger won the Pets Who Look Like Their Owners award while Ayden Brooks became the winner of the Junior Category. There were also 10 photographers who were Highly Commended for their entries.
#4 Highly Commended Winner: ‘The Dancing Cat’ By Iain Mcconnell
#6 Cat Category Winner: ‘Why Are You Upside Down Mum?’ By Malgorzata (Gosia) Russell
“This our one year old still kitten cat Basil. He is very playful, agile and loves our garden we used a lot during lockdown. It is our daily, morning routine to chase each other around the garden. Picture is not photoshopped.”
So many winners! And if you’ve got an itch to share your own funny photos of your pets, then you’ll have the chance in Spring of 2021! Next year’s competition starts (very fittingly) on April 1st, so don’t miss it—we know we won’t!
The photography competition was created by the founders of the world-famous Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam. They’re donating 10 percent of the sponsorship fee and 10 percent of all entry fees to national pet charity Blue Cross, to help with its work rehoming pets and providing veterinary treatment and care. Bored Panda got in touch with founder Tom, as well as with team member Michelle Wood. Tom revealed that this year the atmosphere leading up to the announcement of the winners was… peculiar.
“This year the atmosphere is very odd, as we are very much Zoom-driven in terms of our interactions! But we are always excited because we know the pictures can only bring a smile to people’s faces, so there is no pressure on that front,” Tom said.
#7 ‘There Goes Dinner’ By Beth Noble
“Five tonkinese cats watching their “dinner” walk past the kitchen window.”
“I’ve always been keen on architectural photography, on leading lines, on creative perspectives. I had a walk around London with Kyte and his owners. Kyte is a lovely 9 year old weimaraner. I had been eying up this spot for a while and just waiting for the right face to wear Saint Paul’s cupola.”
“Sadly, there will be disappointment from individual photographers, but each and every image that makes the finalists is worthy and we are always keen to get that message across. General excitement, some over-excitement, and a whole lot of smiling (if we could all be in the same room at the same time!)” he shared, pointing out that being a finalist is a huge thing, even if your photo didn’t win.
Tom shared his hopes for next year’s competition as well, aiming for bigger and better awards. “The response this year has overwhelmed us, and the number of direct messages describing the general joy of seeing these images has really given us a boost for next year’s competition. We want more pets entered, as much as we love our cats and dogs, we want to see all the pets that people have—their importance to our mental health is so crucial currently and we just want to keep supporting these wonderful animals through a happy and positive vibe!”
#10 Highly Commended Winner: ‘That Moment You Realise You’ve Gone Through Half A Jar Of Snacks’ By Candice Sedighan
“Bear’s expression looking into his jar of dog food is far too relatable. I simply cut a hole into the food container, taped my iPhone camera to it, and snapped a shot before he dug in to his tasty meal.”
Meanwhile, Michelle told us that the team was incredibly excited in the hours leading up to the official announcement of the winners. “It’s been such a tonic to have this to look forward to, especially this year,” she said. Michelle also revealed that next year they’re hoping for some interactive pet events and exhibitions. “But fingers crossed the world gets to a more stable place first. The next competition kicks off on April Fools’ Day in the UK—the first of April, so we will probably need a good laugh by then.”
Tom told Bored Panda that he and Paul came up with the idea for the Comedy Pet Photo Awards after 4 years of successful Comedy Wildlife competitions. “It seemed like an obvious step to reach out to all those who do not necessarily have the equipment or time to do wildlife photography—but who have an active interest in photography, and animals,” he said.
“We wanted to continue the animal conservation message, but on this occasion focusing on pets and how we should look after and care for them. Many pets, such as exotic animals, are often kept in poor conditions and we wanted to address the poor treatment of these animals that give so much back to us.”
#13 Highly Commended Winner: ‘The Dancing Kitten’ By Iain Mcconnell
#15 Highly Commended Winner: ‘Friends Don’t Let Friends Do Silly Things Alone’ By Kerstin Ordelt
“This photo is an outtake. Actually, the dogs tried to hug and thats what happend 🙂 The picture was taken in Linz (Austria) in a pedestrian zone early in the morning.”
Tom explained that partnering up with Mars Petcare allows them to increase the competition’s reach and spread their message better. “We have also joined up with Blue Cross, a UK based pet charity that works to reduce pet suffering. The partnership will be raising much needed funds for sick, injured, abandoned and homeless pets across the country to assist with its work on rehoming pets and providing veterinary treatment and care.”
According to Tom, 2020 showed all of us just how vital having pets in our lives really is: they help us focus on the positives in life, even though they’re sometimes taken for granted.
#16 Highly Commended Winner: ‘Hold On Tight! We’re Running Late’ By Karen Hoglund
“Dani, the puppy, hangs on for her life when Gabby is at the wheel. (The car wasn’t actually moving so it wasn’t really scary.) We intended to take a photo of the dogs looking at the camera but both pups looked forward instead which was much funnier! Just to be on the safe side, we kept both dogs on leashes. What you can’t see in these photos is my husband crouched down in the back seat, holding both dogs leashes. He is such a good sport!”
“2016 at the greek Island Amorgos. We hiked from Aegiali to Langada and I made some Pics with my Mobile of a Donkey Group. In the last Picture it looks like that the Donkey was friendly and smiling to us. So I realise that I have to make more of this. In 2019 we meet the Donkey Owners, they have a nice Tavern in Langada TAVERNA LOUDAROS and they told us the name of the Donkeys. From righti to left: Sister Nefeli, Mother Floredia and SOSO!”
“We have a goat in our house, she lives in the garden. One day we saw that she was playing with the hammock, she put put the front paws on top , it was very funny. A few days later, we got home and we realized she was completely inside the hammock! we gave her some leaves to take the photo better.”
“My Noodles again. As said, she’s is the funniest dog you could possibly imagine. Always with her humans, always ready for some mischief and adventures. Noodles likes: chasing a ball (or any activity that involves running, jumping, catching) rolling in waste oil and petrol (yes, our little pit babe is a special girl) any kind of entertaining interaction with humans (she is more like a shepherd or collie, always asking for brain work or physical challenges) emptying the trash can and spreading the contents on the kitchen floor (there might be a drop of yoghurt or a bread crumb left somewhere) exploring (she is always on a mission. Sometimes I have to rescue her. She squeezes her clumsy body into every cave or hole, every sewer tunnel, etc.) Noodles dislikes: rain (she once lay flat on the ground under a projecting roof, refusing to go any further, because it was raining. Well, the surrounding people had a good laugh. Glad to make people happy.) having to stay home (when we would like to take one of the two others for a walk she tries to push past us to get outside before us and lie down flat on the ground to protest against being left at home. She also showed this kind of passive resistance when she was new and young and didn’t want to go by car. She just lay flat on the ground refusing to move at all.) having to be patient.”
“This is Ted the Poodle. Ted loves his ball more than anything. You can probably tell by his expression in this photo that Ted’s ball is the most exciting thing in the world to him. This image was taken in Jesmond Dene, Newcastle upon Tyne. I used a hand held flash to light Ted as he scrambled through the leaves to get his ball.”
#32 Highly Commended Winner: ‘Living Trophy’ By Antonio Peregrino
“This border collie lives on a farm and his name is FOFO. Always cheerful and playful, FOFO also likes to watch the movement on the farm and in this particular photo he is inside the stall of the horses with his head placed in a hole in the wall that gives access to the outside to see me and my cousins walking. I took advantage that I had my camera at the time and took the photo. I called this photo a living trophy because it reminded me of a sad culture that we humans have in killing animals and putting their heads on walls. FOFO proves how much more beautiful, healthy and happy it is for us humans to appreciate free and living animals.”
“Bruc was found as a puppy on the street in Spain with his mother and sister. Now he is my canine friend and model and goes where we go. Catching cookies in my home studio.”
#37 Junior Category Winner: ‘Good Morning, Fox Mulder!’ By Ayden Brooks
“Our cat, Fox Mulder, AKA Squishy, Little Squishy Guy, Squishface, Squish, Foxy, loves to spread himself out on his back when he sleeps. He likes to sleep anywhere including in the middle of a room on a rug or even on the wood floor. I love to take photos of him because he is so cute and funny. I caught him as he was waking up from a nap and yawning.”
