Even though the 'Animals Going Goblin Mode' Twitter page has been active on the social platform only since April 2022, it’s already gained a strong foothold there. It has amassed over 107K followers at the time of writing, so it seems to have found the recipe for success.

In case you've never heard of the term "goblin mode", it could be described as a way of life that allows people to ditch societal norms and embrace their primary instincts. According to Dave McNamee, a self-described "real-life goblin", it could be considered to be a frame of mind, rather than a permanent identity.

"Goblin mode is like when you wake up at 2am and shuffle into the kitchen wearing nothing but a long T-shirt to make a weird snack, like melted cheese on saltines," he told The Guardian. "It’s about a complete lack of aesthetic. Because why would a goblin care what they look like? Why would a goblin care about presentation?"

Well, when it comes to our four-legged friends featured in this list, some of them definitely seem to agree with Dave’s line of thinking. However, it’s important to remember that even the quirkiest animal behaviors are usually based on their instincts. For example, Anita Kelsey, a certified and vet-referred cat behavior expert and author of Let's Talk About Cats, told us in a previous interview that strange behavior is far from unusual in the animal world.

"We cannot explain all things to do with cats and I still come across the odd cat in my behavior practice whereby I will have no idea why they are doing a particular thing," she said. "Generally, a cat acting 'out of character' would signify there’s a conversation to be had to understand why."

While the feline actions of your house cat may seem perplexing, Kelsey mentioned that usually their behaviors are based on evolutionary traits and instincts. "Cats are very curious animals, so lots of things they do out of curiosity do land them into trouble, which could be classified as strange when being viewed from the outside. A cat does not act mysteriously just for fun, that is human labeling," Kelsey explained. 

To understand our pet actions, we should get to know our four-legged friends better to notice changes in their behavior. "When a human knows their cat well, including the typical structure of their day and behaviors, it is easy to spot worrying changes," the expert said. "An example of this is sleeping for longer than usual, hiding away from their guardians, lack of interest in play or food, not going outside anymore if free-roaming, toileting outside of the litter tray, or aggression that isn’t normally there."

As we all know, the company of a furry friend can be immensely fulfilling and comes with plenty of positive benefits that improve our quality of life. We previously had a chat with Shari Botwin, LCSW, a trauma specialist, therapist, and author of Thriving After Trauma, about how our beloved animals could be the best antidote for our troubles.

"Through the years, I have met so many clients that have adopted cats and dogs, and then have told me it’s changed the course of their lives moving forward. When people struggle with things like depression, anxiety, and PTSD, they use their pets as a source of comfort and hope," she told us.

"In my life earlier, when I was in recovery from extensive childhood abuse, I adopted a dog. On many occasions, I had a choice to act on feelings of self-destruction or look at my dog and say she is the thing that needs me, and this is why I will continue to take good care of myself. Some people will tell their animals: 'You are the reason I am still alive!'".

So if you are "feeling unsafe or that your world is unraveling in front of you, be sure to find ways to create safety." Botwin advised you to stay connected to the people you love the most: "Call someone. FaceTime someone. Find a place in your home that makes you feel comfortable and spend time there when you feel anxious." And, most importantly, "Grab a hold of your pet and think about all the love you feel between you and your animal family member," she suggested.