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A black and white tuxedo cat with yellow eyes looks up beside a worn teddy bear with torn fabric and stuffing spilling out. 25 / 36

Teddy Bear Had a Long Life. Then the Tuxedo Cat Got Curious.

AI imagetuxedo catcaught in the actteddy bear

With her wide yellow eyes lifted and her pink nose twitching in the sunlight, a black and white tuxedo cat looks sweetly toward whoever is standing above her. Right beside her, a large teddy bear sits slumped on a couch with its fabric torn open at the face, belly and legs, and white stuffing spilling out in fluffy clumps. A messy room stretches out behind them, with blankets, a tissue box and scattered odds and ends on a table. We'll call her Tux, and she's the picture of innocence.

Cats often shred soft toys because it triggers their hunting instincts. Kicking with the back legs, clawing and biting are all part of how a cat handles prey, and a plush bear makes a perfect target. Stuffing, thread and plastic eyes can be dangerous if swallowed, so it's best to supervise play and take away any damaged toy before it falls apart. Cat toys made for the job, like kicker toys, are safer and more satisfying. Tuxedo cats, incidentally, are not a separate breed but a coat pattern, and their personalities vary a lot. If your cat swallows something unusual, call your vet.

Tux sits with her chin tilted and a calm face, as if the bear's condition is unrelated to her. The poor bear has lost its stuffing but not its smile. A new toy may be in order, though the cat may not give it any better treatment.

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