Exploring Viewer Perceptions of Videos Depicting Cat-Dissented “Play” and Their Potential to Contribute to Harmful Interactions

Human–cat play interactions may provide valuable opportunities for increasing cat welfare and strengthening the human–cat bond. However, these benefits only apply if both parties are assenting to the interaction; otherwise, the play risks causing stress and potential injury to either party. Online videos of human–cat dyads tagged as “play” often include visible cat discomfort, raising questions about how uploaders and viewers perceive cat dissent within play interactions. The present study aimed to explore themes in how viewers interpret and justify human–cat play interactions despite visible signs of cat distress. Eleven publicly hosted online videos of human–cat interactions, self-identified by the uploader as “play,” in which the cat is displaying dissent behaviors, were included in the study. Video comments were analyzed inductively using reflexive thematic analysis, and video contents were observed and described. Nine major themes emerged: (1) If they didn’t like it, you would know – believing “real” distress would be obvious, (2) Lost in translation – misconceptions about cat body language and preferences, (3) They just get it – assuming trust and understanding, (4) You’ll win them over – pushing through dissent to establish bonding, (5) “That’s cat love” – reframing dissent behaviors, and human tolerance of them, as expressions of love, (6) Satisfying the killer inside – fulfilling cat predatory needs with rough play, (7) … But it’s cute – overlooking dissent because of aesthetic “cuteness,” (8) Just having a laugh – finding humor in cat displeasure, and (9) “Karens take a seat” – defensive reactions to external criticism. As play is increasingly promoted by advocates and practitioners as a tool for human–cat bonding and feline enrichment, our findings highlight a critical need for educating the public about recognizing, and more crucially, respecting cat dissent, as well as cat preferences for touch and interaction and the serious human health risks of cat bites and scratches.