The internet is awash with viral videos of cats doing silly things – but experts have warned your cute, funny or grumpy feline might actually be incredibly distressed.
A new study has found that people are surprisingly poor at recognising when cats are unhappy, and often mistake signs of discomfort for amusing behaviour.
For their research, scientists from Adelaide University asked members of the public to watch videos of cats and judge their emotional state.
Analysis revealed many participants struggled to identify when the animals were showing signs of being upset.
Instead, behaviours linked to stress were frequently interpreted as contentment, affection or playfulness.
‘Social media may magnify these perceptions through algorithms that reward engagement regardless of problematic content,’ the researchers wrote in the journal Anthrozoös.
‘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.
‘This can have serious consequences for cat health and well-being. Despite this, cat dissent behaviours were frequently trivialized by viewers.’
Experts have warned your cute, funny or grumpy feline might actually be incredibly distressed. Pictured: A cat pouncing on her owner every time she sings
For the study, the researchers analysed 1,100 comments on social media videos posted on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and Facebook depicting harmful ‘play’.
All 11 videos included clear signs of cat distress such as hissing, biting, attempting escape, visible human injuries and, in some cases, cats being physically harmed, the scientists warned.
Despite this, 75–93 per cent of comments on all videos were positive.
‘What many people think of as “play” may not be play at all,’ Julia Henning, lead author of the study wrote on The Conversation.
‘In fact, these interactions cause cats annoyance or stress.’
She said many comments on the videos normalised rough handling, reframed signs of stress as excitement or affection or trivialised them as ‘cute’ or ‘funny’.
The researchers found people often relied on a single behaviour rather than looking at the cat’s overall body language.
Key warning signs include flattened ears, a twitching tail, a tense body posture and wide, dilated pupils.
Analysis revealed many participants struggled to identify when the animals were showing signs of being upset. Pictured: A cat baring its teeth at its owner
These subtle clues can easily be overlooked when owners are focused on a behaviour they perceive as adorable, the researchers said.
‘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.’
Videos of cats in costumes, suddenly biting their owners or appearing ‘grumpy’ often attract millions of views and are treated as comedy.
But Ms Henning said failing to recognise stress can have consequences for feline welfare.
She said ways to safely play with your cat include allowing them to decide when they want to engage.
Avoid play fighting if possible, she recommends, as it 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.
Videos of cats in costumes, suddenly biting their owners or appearing ‘grumpy’ often attract millions of views and are treated as comedy. Pictured: A kitten bites a girl’s lip
Finally, 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 purring, which is widely seen as a sign of happiness, can also be a sign your cat is frightened or anxious.
Another misunderstood behaviour is ‘making biscuits’ – the rhythmic kneading motion that has become a TikTok favourite.
While kneading can be a sign of comfort, it can also act as a coping mechanism in stressful situations.
HOW WELL DO YOU KNOW YOUR CAT? THE SECRET SIGNALS FELINES GIVE THEIR OWNERS
Cats are often branded aloof and solitary creatures who spend their days plotting their human owner’s demise, but such characterisations could not be further from the truth.
In fact, our feline friends constantly communicate their feelings of affection to us, whether it be through their whiskers, tail, face or body language.
In her eye-opening new book Kitty Language: An Illustrated Guide to Understanding Your Cat, author Lili Chin – with the help of animal behaviourists – explains how to interpret your pet’s movements.
Below are some of the most common behaviours and what they could signal.
Our feline friends constantly communicate their feelings of affection to us, whether it be through their whiskers, tail, face or body language
