A study has found that many internet users are largely unaware of the signs of distress in cats depicted in popular 'cute cat videos.' Researchers, led by Julia Herring, a doctoral student at the University of Adelaide’s Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Australia, analyzed videos from social media platforms such as YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook. They searched using terms like 'playing with cats' and identified 11 videos that were categorized as 'play' by their creators.
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In all of these videos, the cats exhibited clear signs of distress, including hissing and attempts to escape. When the research team examined the first 100 comments on each video, they discovered that between 75% to 93% of comments were positive regarding the interactions between humans and cats. Most videos received fewer than 10% critical comments, with the highest percentage of critical responses at only 19%. The research indicated that when early signs of negativity from cats are overlooked, the animals experience increased stress, which, if repeated, can lead to chronic stress and significant health implications.
Comment analysis categorized viewers' perceptions into nine attitudes towards the interactions. Many comments reflected the belief that if a cat were uncomfortable, it would show it more explicitly or leave the situation. Other viewpoints included misconceptions about cats understanding that humans are only playing, and that negative interactions would ultimately lead to positive outcomes. The researchers noted that social media algorithms often encourage engagement without regard for content, contributing to misunderstandings about animal behavior.
The study also revealed that 7 out of the 11 videos featured minor human injuries, indicating a risk of infection from even small cat bites or scratches. The researchers emphasized the need for increased media literacy among cat owners and called for measures to address biases in interpreting animal behavior. They stressed the importance of awareness regarding feline distress and argued against normalizing content that depicts animal suffering.