Behind the Purrfect Posts: What Social Media Gets Wrong About Cats

Social media has given us endless adorable cat content — from kittens in bow ties to unlikely animal friendships. But what you see online often paints a misleading picture of what cats are really like.

Many viral videos show the exception, not the rule. Those cats wearing clothes or riding Roombas might look calm, but their frozen body language can be a sign of stress, not comfort. Flattened ears, stiff posture, and dilated pupils are all subtle cues that a cat isn’t enjoying the spotlight.

In this week’s episode of Cat Talk Radio, Dewey and I unpack the “behavior gap” between internet cats and real-life cats. We talk about how social media shapes our expectations — and how that can lead to frustration or even stress for our pets when we try to imitate what we see online.

Every cat has a unique comfort zone. Some genuinely enjoy training, travel, or even dressing up — but that comes from months of patient desensitization and trust-building. For most cats, comfort comes from predictability, choice, and feeling safe.

So instead of trying to turn your cat into an influencer, celebrate them for who they are. Whether they’re shy, silly, or sassy — that’s the real magic behind every cat-human bond.

Listen now to: “Behind the Purrfect Posts: What Social Media Gets Wrong About Cats” — only on Cat Talk Radio.

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