New study finally explains why 1 in 4 cat owners get bit so often

Many people believe they understand their cats, but a new study shows that may not be the case. Even experienced cat owners often misread their pets’ moods, leading to bites and scratches that could have been avoided. What seems like affection can quickly turn into aggression if a cat’s warning signs are ignored. On September 24, 2025, researchers revealed surprising findings that explain why nearly one in four cat owners still get bitten so often, and it all comes down to misunderstanding feline communication.

As reported by Vice in November 2025, researchers at the University of Adelaide, whose work appeared in Frontiers in Ethology, discovered that many people struggle to recognize when a cat is anxious, tense, or seconds away from reacting aggressively. Researchers tested 368 adults by showing them videos of people interacting with cats, asking participants to identify whether the cats were relaxed or upset. “Human-cat interactions require accurate interpretation of cat behavioural cues to ensure welfare and safety for both species,” the study noted. When the warning signs were obvious, like hissing, spitting, or ears pinned back, 23 percent of participants still got it wrong. But when the signs were subtle, such as a twitching tail or stiff whiskers, accuracy dropped to about 50 percent, no better than guessing.

The researchers also tried to improve participants’ skills with a short two-and-a-half-minute educational video. Ironically, the training had mixed results. While viewers became slightly better at spotting clear signs of anger or fear, they got worse at reading the small, early cues that could prevent a bite. The study found that “brief educational interventions may be insufficient or counterproductive for teaching subtle cue recognition in cats.” After watching the video, accuracy in reading subtle distress dropped by nearly 19 percent, even though confidence in their own understanding went up. That false sense of confidence may help explain why cat bites are so common and why so many end in emergency room visits. About 75 percent of mammal bites that cause infections come from cats, and almost one in three of these bites gets infected. Scratches can also be dangerous, carrying infections such as Bartonella. 

The study also looked at how people reacted to cats showing early signs of stress. About 42 percent admitted they would rub the belly of a cat already showing tension, a move most cat owners know can trigger an attack. Rolling over, researchers explained, might look like an invitation to play, but it’s often a warning that a cat is defensive and ready to strike. “Misinterpretation of cat communications during play can lead to unwanted interactions that prolong stress for cats and increase the risk of human injury,” the report stated.

Experience did help, but only slightly. People who worked with cats, such as veterinarians or shelter staff, performed better than the average pet owner, but even they struggled with subtle signs of irritation. The researchers concluded that humans need more comprehensive training to understand cats’ early stress signals and respond correctly. The safest approach, they said, is also the simplest one: if your cat stiffens, flattens its ears, or its tail starts twitching, stop immediately. That moment of restraint could be the difference between a calm pet and a painful bite.