There’s something about making sure your furry friend is safe and well that keeps us awake at night. Some pet owners give away their blanket, others part with their beds altogether and sleep on the sofa. It’s never enough to check up on them, because anything bad happening to our beloved doggos, cattos, and other four-legged companions can not only send us into panic mode, it can seriously give us a heart attack. Full stop.

Whether the pets are aware of this or not remains a mystery. But that’s not an excuse to play nerve-wracking tricks on their unsuspecting owners.

From a catto casually having the time of their life while covered in red paprika, to a doggo chilling in a pose that seems like the boi only has half of his body, Bored Panda has compiled you a chilling list that will make you look twice, and thrice. I mean, how dare they, but it’s also good to know this is not what it seems.

#1 Nearly Had A Heart Attack

Image credits: aleashuhh

#2 Had To Look Twice

Image credits: esquonk

#3 Cat Gave Me A Scare This Morning. It's Paprika

Image credits: bessiboom

If you've ever been a proud parent to a fur baby, you know how wonderful it is. Pets give us great companionship and, for most of us, they become loving and loyal members of the family. But loving them may come with hardships, too.

The psychotherapist Megan MacCutcheon suggested that there is always a threat for potential stress when you own a pet. “Things like adjusting to owning a new pet, training a pet, acquainting new pets and existing pets, introducing pets and children, and finding solutions to various responsibilities in terms of help with pet sitting, dog walking, etc.”

The biggest hardship may be dealing with the thought that your pet will have to pass one day. “While many pets seem forever young, they do age, their health eventually declines, and we are faced with even more responsibilities as we take care of the additional duties and demands that come with caring for an elderly or sick animal."

#4 One Christmas Eve Night

Image credits: STJ_Joe

#5 The Doggo Almost Gave Me A Heart Attack

#6 What About This?

Image credits: CerenGookce

Seeing your pet’s health deteriorating, or worse, seeing them suffering, is heartbreaking for any pet parent. Megan suggests the term “pet owner anxiety,” although she hasn’t come across resources specifically related to it.

According to the therapist, it refers to the stress related to pet ownership, which can come in any form. For some, it’s the haunting dread of your pet passing away; for others, it’s the decision of euthanasia; and for most, it's simply seeing them in pain, which causes anxiety and sleepless nights.

Of course, there are always people for whom pets are "just animals." They tend to worry about them less, as they develop less emotional attachment. However, for most humans, it’s not all about being realistic when it comes to having a pet. First, we get deeply attached on the emotional level, and everything comes second.