Those TikTok videos of pets doing silly and odd behavior seem cute and harmless, but are these animals really suffering without their owners realizing?
The experts Admiral Pet Insurance We looked at how many social media videos show pets in visibly distress. After analysing a critical sample of almost 700 videos on TikTok, we found that one in five videos shows a pet in distress.
There were four main factors in this analysis: whether the pet seemed scared or startled, whether it was dressed and clearly uncomfortable, whether it was exposed to harm (loud noises, near fire, etc.) or whether it showed signs of neglect.
Investigation result:
- The analysis found that one in five videos showed a pet in visibly distressed state, meaning 21% of videos showed animals in an unhappy or distressed state.
- The clips that identify pets in distress alone have garnered more than 228 million likes and over 3 billion views.
- 51% of pet in distress videos show pets looking scared or startled, and in our sample, this content has been viewed over 1.4 billion times and liked over 104 million times. (Figure 1).
- 19% of videos of pets in distress show pets dressed up, and videos of dressed up pets have been viewed more than 387 million times and received more than 31 million likes. (Figure 2).
- Two-fifths of videos of distressed pets show them in unsafe situations, such as being left near an open window, in an unpredictable new environment or exposed to loud music or sudden noises. (Figure 3).
- 11% of videos of pets in distress feature neglected animals (Figure 4). They may not be getting enough food or the right type of food.
This content is accompanied by commentary from veterinarians who offer their expertise to ensure your pet is always happy and healthy in front of the camera. Check out the Q&A below.
Figure 1: Video of a pet being frightened or startled
Figure 2: Video of a pet getting dressed
Figure 3: Video showing a pet in distress in a dangerous situation
Figure 4: Video showing pets being abused
Expert commentary from qualified and registered veterinary nurses, Nicki Fox RVN CertVNECC APVN (Wildlife) and Victoria Preece BSc RVN.
1. What psychological effects can occur when a pet is frightened or startled?
Scaring or startling your pet can have both short-term and long-term effects on their health, whether the trauma was intentional or accidental.
When pets feel stressed or scared, the emotional part of the brain takes precedence over the logical part. The emotions associated with a traumatic experience can affect your pet’s future behavior and, if left untreated, can also affect their physical health.
To prevent these reactions, it is essential to understand your pet’s natural behavioral traits and individual personality, so you can identify possible causes before stress is introduced and better prepare your pet to cope when it does encounter stress.
2. What should pet owners consider when dressing their pets in costumes or clothing?
Does he get “clumsy” when in his costume? Does he seem stressed or anxious? It’s important to take into account your pet’s natural movements and ability to maintain a normal body temperature (hyperthermia can have a significant impact on brachycephalic breeds such as pugs, French bulldogs and Persian cats).
Some clothes and costumes restrict movement, preventing grooming, running, jumping and making it difficult to go to the toilet. The loss of natural behaviours and expressions can cause stress and anxiety.
Clothing or costumes can also become entangled or constricting, compromising breathing and circulation. Use high-quality costumes made with pets in mind. Avoid costumes that pose obvious ingestion hazards, such as small clothing parts (buttons, toggles, zippers, pom-poms) that can be easily eaten or become lodged in the digestive system.
3. What can pet owners do to make their pets feel comfortable when creating content for social media?
Successful pet owners on social media are often able to monetize the cuteness of their pets, with some even racking up followings and paid partnerships that rival their favorite human influencers.
But it’s important to understand that some of the internet’s cutest and funniest pets have been bred to have unusual traits that put them at higher risk for health problems. Is he sitting like that to look cute on Instagram, or does it hurt to sit like that normally? Is that barking funny, or is it a sign of breathing difficulties?
If you’re dreaming of your pet becoming a social media star, it’s best to capture them in their natural behavior. A sleeping cat is adorable enough without any extra stimulation, and a dog chasing its tail happens without any human intervention. Let your pet be themselves, and they’re sure to make you laugh.
methodology:
- The data was collected from TikTok videos around the world through manual analysis of videos with the hashtags #funnycat, #funnydog, #funnypet, #funnycatvideos, #funnydogvideos and #funnypetvideos.
- Data is based on a sample size of 670 TikTok videos that were active and viewable on October 18, 2023. All duplicate videos and compilations have been excluded.
- From the sample we identified, we categorised them based on four main indicators: whether the pet was scared or startled enough to trigger a reaction, whether the pet was wearing clothing that made the pet uncomfortable, whether the pet was in danger, such as being near loud noises or a fire, and whether the pet showed signs of neglect.
- We also recorded the number of views and likes these videos received to estimate their reach.
