Precocious Cat Tells Parents He’ll Come In When He’s Ready, Not Because They Say So

March 29, 2023

Cats do what they want, and we love them for it. So it’s no surprise more than three million cat lovers have fallen for Toby the cat and his standoff with his parents about coming inside from his California home’s catio for bedtime. Toby’s willfulness was captured via his family’s home security camera and then featured on Inside Edition, giving us all a good laugh and letting the cat parents out there know they aren’t alone in having kitties that talk back and love to do as they so please.

But who could blame Toby for wanting to stay on his catio? His special porch is decked out for ultimate feline pleasure and even has lights so he can enjoy some evening fun too. No wonder Toby has no problem sassing his mom and dad about coming inside. His poor parents even have to bribe him with snacks to get him indoors. And in this cute cat video, we see the bargaining in action.

Toby Does As Toby Pleases

As the clip opens, Toby’s dad can be heard calling the kitty to come in. Toby comes running up the ramp to the open flap that leads into the house, but just as he is about to head in like a good boy, the silly kitty pauses and decides, “Nah. I’m a cat. I do what I want.”

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Seeing Toby disobey via the camera, his mom gets involved, politely asking, “Hi Toby. Can you come in and get some yogurt?”

Toby meows in return as if begging for five minutes more, just like a kid would. But mom tries to reason with her boy, offering yogurt once again. Toby sits, pondering if he wants to listen or not. Turns out he doesn’t!

Mom has to get tough and tells the naughty cat to come get his tummy medicine! Still, Toby isn’t swayed and stays put. Finally, Toby decides he’s ready to go in.

But he can’t let his parents think it was their idea for him to come inside for snacks and bedtime. So, Toby takes his sweet time ambling up the ramp and through the flap.

Praising her preciously precocious puss for his decision, Mom says, “Good boy! That’s my boy. See you in a minute.”

Yep, it was all Toby’s idea to come in for yogurt and bedtime all along! And before we go, can we just address two of the funniest comments left by viewers?