Are Cats Truly Happy? "Cute" Isn't Enough to Protect Them - The Science of Understanding Feline Emotions

"Happy Cat": Is It Really Happy?

When you open your smartphone, your timeline is flooded with photos and videos of cats.
Cats showing their bellies while rolling over, cats gazing out the window, cats patrolling the garden…….

We naturally interpret these as "having fun," "looking bored," or "seeming dissatisfied."

However, this "interpretation" might be more influenced by our own human moods and preconceptions than by the cats' actual expressions.

A study released by Oregon State University in December 2025 delved into this very issue. It showed that a mere difference in background—indoor versus outdoor—could change perceptions of the same cat as "happy" or "anxious."Phys.org.

The Experiment: 12 Cats and 665 People's "Perceptions"

The research team combined AI-generated backgrounds with photos of 12 cats, creating two versions: "indoor" and "outdoor." The subjects were 665 people aged 18 to 60, with about 60% aged 25 to 34, 70% female, and about 70% having experience owning catsPhys.org.

Participants were shown 24 images and asked to evaluate

• the emotional state of the cats (positive/negative, calm/excited, etc.)

• their own emotions while viewing the images

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In summary, the results were as followsPhys.org.

1. Cats with indoor backgrounds were consistently rated as more "positive" than those with outdoor backgrounds.

2. Outdoor backgrounds made cats appear more "excited" or "restless."

3. Regardless of whether participants were for or against letting cats outside, both sides perceived indoor cats as happier.

4. The emotions of the viewers strongly correlated with their evaluations of the cats' emotions.

5. Surprisingly, black cats were perceived as having more "positive emotions" than tabby or ginger cats..

In other words, when we judge a cat's photo and think "this cat is happy" or "this cat seems anxious," we're heavily influenced not only by the cat's expression or behavior but also by factors like "indoor or outdoor," "fur color," and "our current mood."

Our Mood Filter Overwrites the Cat's Emotions

A key point in the study is that the "emotions of the viewer" and the evaluation of the cat's emotions moved almost in tandem.

When viewing the same cat photo at a different time, whether the viewer had felt positive before influenced their evaluation the next time they saw the cat, according toPhys.org.

This phenomenon is well-known among humans. Psychological research points out that we tend to project our emotional state onto external subjects, assuming "the other must feel the same way."PMC.

The same might be happening in our communication with cats.

• When owners look at their cats while feeling happy, they tend to perceive "my cat looks happy too."

• Conversely, when feeling down, even a cat's casual expression might appear "bored" or "stressed."

It's not only that the cat's emotions move us, but **our minds make us "see" the cat's emotions**.

Black Cats: Not "Ominous" but Rather Positive?

Another intriguing aspect is the effect of "fur color."
In this study, black cats in photos were more likely to be perceived as having a "more positive emotional state" than ginger or tabby catsPhys.org.

Black cats, in some parts of the Western world, are associated with superstitions of being "ominous" or "unlucky." Previous surveys have reported a "black cat bias," where black cats are less likely to find homes and receive less engagement on social mediaSAGE Journals.

Nevertheless, in this experiment, black cats appeared "happier."
The AI-generated backgrounds and the age and cultural backgrounds of participants might have influenced this, but it's also possible that the image of black cats is changing, especially among younger generations.

On social media, expressions of affection for black cats, such as "adorable like a shadow" or "the unreadable expression is oddly charming," are not uncommon.
The "re-evaluation" of black cats might be progressing in tandem with both scientific and internet culture.

Reactions on Social Media: Empathy, Conflict, and Enthusiasm in the Rescue Cat Community

Although this news is still fresh, related articles and university press releases are being shared on X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, gradually gathering reactions. Considering the atmosphere of past threads on "cat emotions" and "indoor keeping," the following voices are prominent.

1. "It Was a Human Issue After All" Group

From cat-owning users,

• "I might have assumed my cat was 'bored' just because it was staring out the window."

• "On days when I'm down, my cat also seems grumpy, but it was just my projection…"

are common reactions, revealing realizations of personal bias..

A study analyzing a large number of comments on pet videos also reported that viewers tend to express "how they felt" rather than focusing on the cat's behaviorBES Journals.

Phrases like "too cute, I cried" or "today's fatigue vanished" reflect the viewer's emotions rather than the cat's.

2. "Don't Take Away Their Freedom to Go Outside" Group

Meanwhile, there's resistance to the trend of recommending complete indoor keeping.

• "Just because indoor cats look happier doesn't mean it's okay to eliminate outdoor playtime."

• "Creating an environment that satisfies the cat's natural behavior needs is what's important."

are some of the comments.

Even in this study, those who supported free outdoor activity still rated indoor cats more positively in photosPhys.org.

This indicates a contradiction where people think "outdoors is necessary" but feel "indoors seems safer and better" when it comes to photos or advertisements.
On social media, discussions continue between outdoor and indoor advocates on how to bridge this gap.

3. Positive Reception from Rescue Cat and Shelter Communities

The strongest reactions come from rescue organizations, shelter staff, and foster volunteers.

• "Scientific backing now shows that adoption photos should have indoor backgrounds."

• "The positive evaluation of black cats is good news. Changing the way we photograph them might reduce 'leftovers.'"

Some organizations are already trying "adoption posters with living room backgrounds instead of trees."

Indeed, it has been reported that engagement varies significantly in pet adoption posts on social media depending on the background and compositionSemantic Scholar, and this study provides scientific evidence for the "why."

Welfare Risks from Misinterpretation

The difficulty in animal welfare is that "how they appear" directly influences "how they are treated."

Past research has shown that signs of pain or stress in cats are often overlooked, even among veterinariansPhys.org.

Additionally, when the viewer's emotions or the context of the photo distort evaluations, situations like the following can occur.

• Assuming "this cat must be living happily" just because the photo was taken indoors, leading to delayed recognition of actual stress signs (such as inappropriate elimination or excessive grooming).

• The positive perception of black cat photos might lead to underestimating health risks like "slightly overweight" or "sluggish movement."

• Conversely, the image of "outdoor cats are dangerous and pitiful" might lead to universally hostile feelings toward community cats or outdoor-living cats.

"Reading a cat's emotions correctly" is not just a matter of curiosity.

Misinterpretations can directly lead to decisions affecting the cat's life or death.

How Far Can Science Read a Cat's Feelings?

It's important to note that this is not about "humans being unable to read cat emotions."

There are individual differences in the ability to discern emotional states from a cat's expressions and gestures, and some people can read them with high accuracyCambridge University Press & Assessment.

Additionally, reports suggest that many people can improve their ability to read cat expressions and body language by watching short training videosFrontiers.

In other words,

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