A clever Tennessee six-grader Kaeden Griffin didn’t just ask himself the exact same question but also decided to find out the answer by taking the hot topic to an entirely new level in his sixth-grade science project.
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The title of his experiment read, ‘Does Your Cat's Butthole Really Touch All the Surfaces in Your Home?’
Science experiment
Applying the scientific method, Griffin started with a purpose, hypothesis, and collected data. According to his mum Kerry's Facebook page and PopSugar, Griffin carefully applied nontoxic red lipstick to the anus of two very docile cats. The cats were then given a series of commands like sit, wait, lie down, and jump up. The well-behaved felines were rewarded with treats.
Posted by Kerry Hyde on Saturday, April 17, 2021
Surprising results
Kerry shared her son's findings on Facebook saying:
Long- and medium-haired cats' buttholes made no contact with soft or hard surfaces at all.
According to the proud mum, the hind ends of the short-haired cats made no contact on hard surfaces, but they did see evidence of a slight smear on the soft bedding.
Kerry added:
If you have a short-haired cat and they may be lying on a pile of laundry, an unmade bed, or other soft, uneven [surface], then their butthole may touch those surfaces.
Does that mean the dinner table and kitchen counters are safe?
Kerry and Griffin concluded their findings by saying that it's unlikely your cat's bottoms will touch all the surfaces in your home. Of course, a bigger study is needed to confirm Griffin's findings, but for now, cat owners can breathe a sigh of relief.
Your kitty might not be the germ-spreader you may have originally thought they were.
Sources used:
- Daily Paws: 'Ever Wonder How Many Surfaces Your Cat’s Bum Touches?'
- I Love Cats: 'Does Your Cat’s Butt Touch ALL The Surfaces In Your House?'
Read more:
⋙ This is the real reason why your cat buries its poop like treasure
