Internet users frequently mistake signs of feline distress for amusing behaviour, normalising harmful interactions in viral videos, according to a new study from Adelaide University.
Researchers found that people are surprisingly poor at recognising when cats are unhappy. Behaviours linked to stress are frequently interpreted as contentment, affection or playfulness, and often trivialised as cute or funny.
The study, published in the journal Anthrozoös, involved asking members of the public to watch videos of cats and judge their emotional state. Analysis revealed that many participants struggled to identify when the animals were upset.
Analysis of social media comments
For the research, scientists analysed 1,100 comments on social media videos posted on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook that depicted harmful play.
The scientists warned that all 11 videos included clear signs of cat distress. These included hissing, biting, attempting escape, visible human injuries and, in some cases, cats being physically harmed.
Despite these signs, 75 to 93 per cent of comments on all videos were positive.
Lead author Julia Henning wrote in The Conversation that many comments on the videos normalised rough handling, and reframed signs of stress as excitement or affection.
“What many people think of as ‘play’ may not be play at all,” Henning said. “In fact, these interactions cause cats annoyance or stress.”
The researchers found people often relied on a single behaviour to judge the animal's mood, rather than looking at the cat's overall body language.
Identifying stress in cats
The study highlighted key warning signs that a cat is stressed. These subtle clues can easily be overlooked when owners are focused on a behaviour they perceive as adorable.
Signs of distress include:
- Ears flattened or turned backwards
- Tail lashing or thumping
- A tense body
- Trying to escape
- Hissing or growling
- Biting or scratching
- Suddenly stopping or freezing
- Turning its head towards the person's hand
- Rapidly changing behaviour
- Pulling away from touch
The researchers wrote that ignoring these signs can harm the animal. “When a cat's early dissent signals go unrecognized or ignored, as they were in each of the videos included in this study, a cat experiences acute stress that may become chronic if unwanted interactions occur repeatedly,” they wrote.
“This can have serious consequences for cat health and well-being. Despite this, cat dissent behaviours were frequently trivialized by viewers.”
They noted that social media platforms may magnify these perceptions through algorithms that reward engagement regardless of problematic content.
“The findings of the present study demonstrate patterns of misinterpretation, rationalization, and justification in viewer perceptions that may contribute to negative cat welfare through harmful human-cat ‘play’ interactions,” the study concluded.
“Beyond simple misinterpretation of cat body language, viewer comments... were indicative of cognitive dissonance and, in some cases, echoed harmful narratives akin to human discourse around women and victims of intimate harm.”
How to play safely
Videos of cats in costumes, suddenly biting their owners or appearing grumpy often attract millions of views and are treated as comedy. However, Henning warned that failing to recognise stress can have consequences for feline welfare.
She said that ways to safely play with a cat include allowing them to decide when they want to engage.
Henning recommends avoiding play fighting if possible. This can quickly overwhelm a cat, teaches them to treat hands as toys, and often leads to injury.
“Instead, rotate different wand toys and similar items that keep you at arm’s length, protect from injury, and reduce the chance of accidentally causing stress,” she said.
She encouraged people to be open to noticing subtle changes in a cat’s behaviour that might indicate they are not enjoying playtime.
Other experts have previously warned that widely misunderstood behaviours can indicate stress. Purring, often seen as a sign of happiness, can also mean a cat is frightened or anxious.
Similarly, the rhythmic kneading motion known as "making biscuits", which has become a favourite on TikTok, can act as a coping mechanism in stressful situations, despite also being a sign of comfort.
Understanding kitty language
Cats are often branded as aloof and solitary creatures who spend their days plotting their owner's demise. However, feline friends constantly communicate their feelings of affection through their whiskers, tail, face or body language.
In her book Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your Cat, author Lili Chin, working with animal behaviourists, explains how to interpret these pet movements.
