Introduction
Cats have had a long history on the internet, going back to its earliest days in the 1990s. In the past couple of decades, cats have become one of the most popular animal memes and viral sensations online. From funny cat videos and GIFs to Instagram star cats with millions of followers, cats now have a huge presence across social media, websites and apps. What is it about cats that makes them so appealing online? There are several factors that have contributed to cats becoming internet superstars.
Cats are cute and entertaining
Cats are known for their adorable appearance that many find irresistibly cute. With their large, round eyes, soft fur, perky ears, and petite sizes, cats naturally capture people’s attention. Their mannerisms and behaviors also add to their cuteness factor. When cats playfully bat at toys or chase laser pointers, their energetic spirit makes them entertaining to watch. Even while resting, a cat kneading or curled up in a cozy spot can melt someone’s heart. Unlike some pets, cats maintain an endearing kitten-like curiosity about the world throughout adulthood. All of these physical and personality attributes contribute to why people perceive cats as being overwhelmingly cute creatures.
Cat videos and GIFs spread easily
Viral cat videos have been extremely popular on the internet, like the screaming cat and Maru the box cat, ever since the early days of YouTube. Cats are naturally entertaining to watch and their antics capture our attention. Short, funny cat videos and GIFs are easily shareable across social platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Reddit. According to Buzzfeed, cat videos receive three times more clicks than dog videos or any other animal. The simplicity and short length of viral cat content makes it very easy to consume and spread.
Cat personalities shine online
Cats have quirky, endearing personalities that make for entertaining online content. According to research from the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, cats can be categorized into five personality types based on their sociability, boldness, neuroticism, and other traits (PetMD). The most common cat personality types are:
- Outgoing – friendly, energetic cats who love attention.
- Shy – cautious cats who need time to warm up to new people.
- Feisty – assertive, playful cats who often start trouble.
- Dependent – affectionate cats who hate being left alone.
- Chill – easygoing, laidback cats who go with the flow.
When their quirky behaviors and distinct personalities are captured in videos and memes, it allows their charm and silliness to shine through. People enjoy applying human-like narratives and voices to cat videos, bringing out their online appeal even more.
People anthropomorphize cats
Many cat owners anthropomorphize their pets and assign human traits, emotions, and motivations to their behavior. Anthropomorphism in humans is thought to be naturally occurring in order to facilitate social interaction and understanding of others, especially when reading facial and body language expression (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8614365/). When cat owners make human attributions for their pet’s behavior it can lead to stronger feelings of companionship and a closer relationship.
Studies have found anthropomorphic attributions in cats are associated with more positive perceptions of cats and a willingness to communicate using “motherese” vocal tones. However, incorrect interpretation of a cat’s emotional state based on anthropomorphism could lead to misunderstandings of the cat’s actual needs (https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/13/23/3644). Overall, anthropomorphizing cats appears common yet owners should aim for a balanced perspective between human and feline traits.
Cats are great for memes
Cats have become extremely popular subjects for internet memes. Their expressive faces and quirky personalities make them the perfect candidates for humorous photo edits and jokes. Some of the most well-known and viral memes feature cats in funny or relatable situations.
One of the earliest and most iconic cat memes is Grumpy Cat, featuring a cat named Tardar Sauce with a grumpy facial expression due to feline dwarfism. Images and GIFs of Grumpy Cat went viral in 2012 and led to books, merchandise, and even a Lifetime movie.
The classic LOLcats meme features photos of cats with funny captions and intentional misspellings. These meme captions play on cat behaviors or imagined inner thoughts for comedic effect. LOLcats remain popular and new iterations continue to be created.
More recent viral memes include Nyan Cat, based on an animated flying cat with a Pop-Tart body, and Success Kid, featuring a baby at the beach with a determined facial expression. Both have been turned into worldwide memes and GIFs.
Online cat communities
The internet has allowed cat lovers from all around the world to connect and share their feline obsession. There are numerous online communities dedicated to cats where people can share stories, photos, videos, advice, and more. Some of the most popular online cat communities include:
Reddit has several large cat-focused subreddits like r/cats with over 3 million members and r/catpictures with over 700,000 members. These forums allow users to post pictures and videos of their cats and upvote their favorites.
Dedicated cat forums like TheCatSite and Feline Forums provide a platform to discuss all things cats. There are boards on breeds, health, nutrition, behavior, and more with an engaged community of cat parents and experts.
On Instagram, popular cat accounts like @smoothiethecat with 3.5 million followers and @nala_cat with 4.4 million followers showcase adorable cat photos and videos. Fans can follow along with the adventures of famous felines.
These online communities allow cat enthusiasts to bond over their shared interest. The ability to exchange tips and information ultimately benefits the cats as owners become more informed.
Cats are photogenic
Cats are particularly photogenic animals. Their cute faces, expressive eyes, and distinct whiskers make them great subjects for photos and selfies. A study in 2020 explored how domestic cats are represented in modern photo-sharing, finding that cats are often posed and framed in a way that highlights their “personhood” and cuteness. People enjoy taking photos with their cats or capturing their cats in silly poses because of how photogenic they are. Cats’ facial features and range of expressions, as well as their fluffy fur, make them naturally suited for modeling in photos and looking adorable. This photogenic nature likely contributes to cats’ popularity online, as cute cat photos tend to spread easily on social media.
Escapism and Stress Relief
Watching cat videos and looking at cute cat pictures can provide people with an escape from the stress and demands of everyday life. According to research, viewing cute animal content releases endorphins which can improve your mood. The playful antics and silly behaviors of cats in videos and GIFs is entertaining and absorbing for viewers. Laughing at a funny cat video or simply smiling at an adorable kitten photo provides a brief respite and release for the mind. This offers a needed break from worrying thoughts, work stress, or general anxiety.
Additionally, the relaxing qualities of cat media can also help reduce blood pressure and physiological arousal. Watching cats be calm or sleepy, such as cat loaf videos, can have a similarly calming effect on people. Cat owners can attest that simply petting a cat has stress-relieving benefits as well. The online world of cute cats and kittens allows more people to experience these soothing effects even if they don’t have a cat themselves.
Conclusion
In summary, cats have become extremely popular online for a variety of reasons. Their cute and entertaining antics make for viral videos and memes. People enjoy escapism and stress relief from watching playful cat content. Cats’ unique personalities also shine through in these digital mediums. Many people anthropomorphize cats and feel an emotional connection to them. Photogenic cats light up social media feeds. Online cat communities allow people to bond over their shared love of felines. Some estimates state that cat content accounts for 15% of internet traffic, showing just how much humans adore seeing cats online. Clearly, cats have made the internet a more playful, cute, and entertaining place.