The objective of this study was to calculate the risks (odds ratios) of occurrence of bruises on cattle carcasses in different animal categories. The study was conducted in a slaughterhouse plant, located at São Paulo state, Brazil. Data collection was carried out during one year, assessing 22234 cattle carcasses. To calculate the risk (odds ratios) of bruises occurrences on cattle carcasses the GENMOD procedure of SAS was used, considering logistic regression models. The results showed significant variations among all classes of animal category, with cows having the higher risk of bruises occurrences . According to these results is possible to assume that cows had higher risk of bruises occurrences in their carcasses; probably due to their physical characteristics and higher reactivity, increasing their susceptibility to be bruised during handling. A possible strategy to minimize this risk would be the implementation of training programs, looking for the promotion of good practices in the routines of pre-slaughter handling.