What is the ‘brainwashed AXE cat’ meme?
The ‘brainwashed AXE cat’ meme originated on TikTok in early 2022. It features videos of cats appearing blissful and content as their owners spray Axe body spray near them. The videos often show the cat’s face up close as the aroma hits them, with their eyes closing and a big smile appearing on their face. The meme plays off the idea that the cat is so “brainwashed” by the scent that they absolutely love it, leaning into the head rubs and pets from their owner.
The meme gained popularity when TikTok user @umpaumpagt posted a video on February 2, 2022 of their cat Bnanacat looking elated as Axe was sprayed near it (https://www.tiktok.com/@umpaumpagt/video/7094754180107226411). The video received over 800,000 likes and 9.7 million views, kicking off the meme trend. Other users then started posting similar reactions of their own cats enjoying the smell of Axe body spray.
Why do some find the meme funny or entertaining?
Some find humor and entertainment value in the sheer absurdity and randomness of the “brainwashed Axe cat” meme. The meme originated from the mobile game The Battle Cats, where there is a character called Axe Cat that can be upgraded to Brainwashed Axe Cat. The premise of a cat becoming “brainwashed” by sniffing Axe body spray is completely bizarre and nonsensical. Many internet memes thrive on this type of surreal and unexpected humor that catches people off guard. The image of a cute cartoon cat with spiraling eyes due to being “brainwashed” by a body spray brand is unexpected and odd. This disconnect and exaggeration for comedic effect is part of what makes the meme humorous to some.
Additionally, the randomness and lack of context around why Axe body spray in particular is being used in this meme adds to the absurdity. There is no clear rationale for why Axe spray would “brainwash” a cat, which makes the situation imaginatively silly. Internet culture tends to embrace and amplify these kinds of random memes, adding more absurd layers until they become viral sensations. While the humor may not appeal to everyone’s taste, the sheer randomness combined with cute cat imagery strikes the right chord for the meme to catch on as an absurdist joke for some audiences.
Do cats actually like the smell of Axe body spray?
Cats have a far more sensitive sense of smell than humans. Their olfactory system has around 200 million scent receptors, compared to only 5 million in humans. This allows cats to detect odors that are unnoticeable to us.
Strong fragrances like Axe body spray can be overpowering and unpleasant for cats. The powerful scents can irritate their nasal passages and cause respiratory distress. Cats may sneeze, rub their noses, or shy away when exposed to these types of fragrances. Studies show cats generally dislike perfumes, colognes, and body sprays.
The viral “brainwashed Axe cat” meme shows a cat appearing to enjoy the smell of Axe. In reality, the cat is likely recoiling from the harsh odor. An animal’s wellbeing should not be risked for the sake of a funny video or meme.
Is Axe body spray safe to use around pets?
When considering the potential toxicity and health risks for cats from Axe body spray or similar products, the evidence indicates there are legitimate concerns. Axe body spray and many other human fragrances contain ingredients like essential oils, alcohols, and synthetic musks that can be irritating or even toxic to cats and other pets if ingested or absorbed through the skin.
According to veterinary experts, products not specifically formulated for cats can cause a range of health issues from minor skin irritation to internal organ damage if a cat is exposed to large quantities. Even in small amounts, the unfamiliar and strong odors of human fragrances can cause sensory distress. Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans.
One veterinarian commented: “there are additives in sprays made for humans and ones made exclusively for dogs that are highly toxic to cats” (source). It’s best to keep all human fragrances safely out of reach and never deliberately apply them to cats.
While a small accidental exposure may not cause serious harm in most cases, it’s not worth the risk. Responsible pet owners should be aware of the potential dangers and always supervise the use of any personal care products around their furry friends.
Does this meme promote irresponsible behavior?
While some may find the “brainwashed Axe cat” meme amusing at first glance, there are valid concerns about whether it normalizes irresponsible behavior towards animals. Spraying cats with Axe body spray or other strong fragrances can be harmful and stressful for them.
Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, so being exposed to an overwhelming scent like Axe can be disorienting and uncomfortable. Their respiratory systems are also more sensitive. The ASPCA warns that essential oils and artificial fragrances can cause respiratory issues in cats when inhaled.
By sharing an image of a cat being involuntarily sprayed with Axe body spray, the meme could give the impression that this is normal or amusing behavior. However, responsible pet owners should always avoid exposing their cats to products that may be irritating or toxic. While meant as a joke, the meme could promote negligence and disregard for a cat’s wellbeing if taken at face value.
Internet users creating or sharing this type of content should be mindful of the potential message being spread. Treating animals respectfully should remain the priority over generating entertaining viral memes.
Human attraction to the bizarre or absurd is not new – avant-garde art movements like Dadaism and Surrealism emerged in the early 20th century. What the internet enables now is the instantaneous global spread of absurd memes and viral content. This acceleration means memes can proliferate rapidly with little critical examination. While their humor may seem harmless on the surface, a deeper analysis is often required.
As explained in an article on Medium, absurdist memes hold up a funhouse mirror to society, amplifying its strangeness. They represent an effort to find meaning and community in an overloaded digital world. However, this meaning is often elusive or ambiguous. Relying solely on memes for one’s worldview can promote disconnection from reality.
While we may enjoy absurd content for entertainment, taking a step back for critical analysis is crucial. Before sharing or endorsing a meme, we should consider its creator, intent and potential interpretations. Applying critical thinking allows us to separate harmless absurdism from damaging misinformation or manipulation. A balanced media diet includes room for playful absurdity, as long as it’s counterbalanced with substantive information and diverse perspectives. Moderation and discernment are key when navigating today’s meme-ified digital landscape.
The importance of respecting animals
When it comes to our pets, we have an ethical responsibility to treat them with respect and dignity. Unfortunately, some online memes can promote the idea that pets are just props for our amusement. This fails to recognize that pets are living beings with their own needs and limits. As one source discusses, we must have respect for animals’ worth and interests, regardless of their utility to humans.
Specifically, memes showing pets being sprayed with products like Axe body spray treat animals like toys rather than living creatures. Subjecting a pet to something unpleasant or unsafe just for a laugh goes against respecting their dignity. While we can find humor in absurd situations, it shouldn’t come at the expense of a pet’s wellbeing. As responsible pet owners, we must provide proper care while avoiding treating pets as props that exist solely for our entertainment.
Spreading awareness about animal welfare
It’s important to promote ethical and informed treatment of pets like cats. While memes like “brainwashed AXE cat” are intended to be lighthearted, they can normalize irresponsible behavior that could negatively impact animal welfare.
Using strong smells like Axe body spray around cats against their will could cause respiratory issues or stress. Cats have a much stronger sense of smell than humans, so a scent that may seem tolerable to us could be overwhelming for them. Spraying a pet directly with products not intended for animal use should be avoided.
Education programs that teach proper pet care, empathy, and respect for animals are needed. As this source discusses, animal welfare education fosters understanding of our ethical responsibilities when caring for domesticated animals. Humane education helps cultivate compassion in younger generations and can lead to kinder treatment of pets.
While viral memes shouldn’t always be taken literally, content creators should consider the potential impact on animal welfare. A lighthearted meme can still spread misinformation or normalize mistreatment. We must be mindful of the wellbeing of pets who depend on humans for their care.
Responsible sharing and critiquing of viral content
While memes and viral content can seem harmless, it’s important to be cautious about normalizing concerning behavior. When sharing a meme like the “brainwashed AXE cat,” we should consider the implications of making light of using products in ways that could be unsafe or disrespectful to animals. According to this article, the responsibility lies with both creators and consumers of viral content to ensure they are not contributing to exploitation or harm.
Before sharing a meme, we should critically examine whether the content promotes irresponsible behavior or disrespects living creatures. If the meme does normalize concerning behavior, it may be best not to further circulate it. We can also take the opportunity to thoughtfully critique and comment on problematic aspects rather than just mindlessly passing on absurdist content.
While funny animal memes and jokes may seem harmless on the surface, taking a reflective approach allows us to spread joy responsibly. With awareness and care, we can uplift animals and build online communities centered around respect.
Conclusion
In summary, the ‘brainwashed Axe cat’ meme explores the absurd yet entertaining idea of a cat obsessed with the scent of Axe body spray. While some may find humor in the unusual meme, it’s important we don’t promote irresponsible behavior involving animals. Memes often spread rapidly online without much thought given to their implications. As consumers and creators of viral content, we must be mindful of how our actions may negatively impact others, including pets. Animals depend on humans for their wellbeing, so we have an ethical obligation to treat them with respect. Moving forward, we can spread awareness about animal welfare and compassion. Though the meme may seem harmless on the surface, reflecting critically helps us share content more responsibly.