The label of “meme cat” is something else. It’s a benchmark for meme creators and cat owners around the world. Not many cats have earned the label, but those became household names overnight. Pick a funny cat meme — chances are you will recognize the creature in the picture.
Cats seem to be the most legendary creatures on the internet, grander than dogs. However, it’s not luck that determines their position on the internet. Every cat meme raises their overall image. Every meme cat is involved in is funnier than the last one. It’s an unbreakable circle, which will continue as long as the cat owner shares a picture of their pet.
Some cat memes rose out of the pile of mediocracy and joined the ranks of legendary. Today, most feline memes dot Instagram boards, Reddit forums, and Twitter (now X). However, Facebook still is the place of “meme cat” worthy posts. One group rose to worldwide prominence — “Cats on Catnip.”
What is “Cats on Catnip”?
Since 2014, “Cats on Catnip” Facebook has grown to become the center of one funny cat meme after another. Throughout the decade, cat owners and fans joined to post high-quality content related to these feline creatures. Content that stole the hearts and eyes of many internet users (figuratively, not literally).
Today, the page has around 2.5 million followers, and tens to hundreds of people post on it daily. So, if you have a cat meme, post it on the “Cats on Catnip” group. Chances are that you will get showered with an unprecedented amount of attention from owners and fans of cats.
So, why is the internet so excited for cats? It’s thanks to the memes surrounding the behaviors of cats. As long as these feline beauties exist — they will do something worthy to become one of the funny cat memes. So, along with explaining the memes themselves, we also decided to look at the feline behavior. Why cats act as they do and how we can help them in the long run. After all, they are our pets.
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I really need to find that mthfckr who started this rumor! We'll just talk, I promise!
Where Did the Cat Memes Come From?
Cats have been memes since ancient Egyptian times. As times changed (mainly the internet becoming a thing), cats stayed as a center point of attention. However, it was only recently that a screaming cat meme and other feline-related jokes started to dominate our views.
The fault of this? Social media sites. Reddit and Facebook, especially groups like “Cats on Catnip” are the main culprits. There, people started to post their cats for the world to see. Some decided to open up Photoshop and changed it into a funnier side. Result? A massive number of funny cat memes.
Why Are Cat Memes So Popular?
Trev Lewis, a comedian and content creator, gave Bored Panda more information about “viral” topics. “The two most common types of content that go viral are animals and food. This is what the data shows. No matter how many times algorithms get tweaked, or which platform we’re discussing, people remain fixated on nourishment and other creatures.”
However, it is humor that truly fuels the popularity of content. “Relatability is a more crucial component because this is the factor that often inspires people to share the content with others. Sharing is the highest form of engagement and the one true path to viral content. All the other forms of engagement will follow it,” the social media expert told us.
Relatable and funny content will have a higher chance of conquering the internet feed. For this reason, the cat, the funniest animal in the world, skyrocketed in popularity. All thanks to the humor found in the number of funny cat memes related to them.
Eating is a moment for cats where they expose themselves and cannot really check what's behind them. So they often feel more comfortable when they have a person (or another cat) they trust in the same room watching their back. My cat actually returns the favor...we have different dinner times, so when I eat she sits upright next to me and observes the environment for me. It's really cute
“You can tell when cats are having fun, their faces light up and their eyes go wide and bright as they become excited and alert; their senses heighten and their pupils can widen. Their whole body language becomes animated and light,” Vet Nurse Nina said.
The PDSA told us that one way to recognize that you’re a great owner is when your cats feel confident enough have a “mad half-hour” where they "suddenly become full of fun and excitement, running around, chasing imaginary mice, sometimes whizzing up curtains and being so full of fun that they can’t contain themselves.” That means they trust you.
“If your cat is happy and confident enough to display this kind of behavior, you can congratulate yourself on being a great cat owner as your cat feels very comfortable in your company,” the expert told Bored Panda.
Yep, I had a so-called stray that did the rounds of the neighbourhood, I even paid for vet bills!
Reminds me of the poor nest of squirrel babies that get tied up with their tails.
What Are the Cat Memes About?
Every meme is about something. In the situation with cats — it’s about their behavior. When looking at cats, derpiness and seriousness are the sides of the same coin. These sides get captured in a number of cute memes all around the internet. These feline creatures are so derpy that there even is a cat bread meme. So, as long as felines do something “strange,” funny cat memes will capture those feelings, and the “Cats on Catnip” Facebook group will share it.
Why Are Cats So Silly?
Cats are very much solitary and watchful creatures. That’s what Vet Nurse Nina Downing, from the PDSA, the UK’s leading vet charity, told Bored Panda about feline behavior during an interview.
“They love to watch the world go by from high places, and they also sleep a lot and do not appreciate being disturbed! While many do love to play, it needs to be on their terms and only when they’re in the right mood!” she told us.
The animal health expert told us that cats enjoy playing in such a way that mimics their natural hunting behaviors. For instance, they’re huge fans of chasing, pouncing, stalking, diving, hiding, and throwing. We tend to write off these actions as silly and worthy to be turned into cat memes — but it’s only natural to them.
How Do I Tell if My Cat is Happy?
“You can tell when cats are having fun, their faces light up and their eyes go wide and bright as they become excited and alert; their senses heighten and their pupils can widen. Their whole body language becomes animated and light,” Vet Nurse Nina said.
The PDSA told us that one way to recognize that you’re a great owner is when your cats feel confident enough to have a “mad half-hour” where they “suddenly become full of fun and excitement, running around, chasing imaginary mice, sometimes whizzing up curtains and being so full of fun that they can’t contain themselves.” That means they trust you.
“If your cat is happy and confident enough to display this kind of behavior, you can congratulate yourself on being a great cat owner as your cat feels very comfortable in your company,” the expert told Bored Panda.
Why Do People Love Fat Cats?
However, the fat cats seem to steal most of the attention. Why? Because they are usually some of the laziest pets you can have. All they will do, all day, is provide one funny cat meme after another. It is one of the most common meme cats appear in. However, that fun has to stop at some point.
As much as we might enjoy looking at pictures of chonky felines and giant floofs, being that big is really hard on their health. Owners need to regulate what their cats eat and how much they eat to help them stay lean, fit, and content.
During a previous interview, Dr. Ernie Ward, the founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, explained to Bored Panda how 90% of a cat’s weight loss journey depends on its diet. The rest is related to physical activity. It’s essential that you don’t overfeed your cat.
in this meme, all is accurate, even the time and the struggle not to be able even ask correctly what do I want to know
How Do You Feed an Overweight Cat?
“That’s why it’s so important cat owners precisely feed the correct number of calories each day. I recommend having your veterinarian assess your cat’s current Body Condition Score (BCS), setting target an ideal weight, and calculating the number of calories you should feed each meal,” Dr. Ernie Ward advised.
“I strongly encourage cat owners to weigh the food using a kitchen scale. We’ve done experiments with cat owners and veterinary professionals and have consistently observed that using a measuring cup isn't as accurate as needed to achieve weight loss in many cases,” he said.
“Even feeding as few as ten extra kibbles each day can add up to a pound of weight gain in a year for a cat. Once you get the hang of it, weighing the food takes no more time than using a measuring cup. Finally, work with your vet to adjust the diet or calories every three months if your cat isn't losing weight.”
The expert said: “I’ve seen too many cats who were being fed the same food for months without losing weight. When I ask them why, the pet parent shrugs, ‘I’m feeding the special food my vet prescribed.’ Weight loss is a journey with many unexpected turns and hills; you must stay alert and be willing to take a different path if you’re not reaching your objective.”
See how close the cat is, actually touching and even rubbing up against the man's leg ? That's the emotional reaction.
They love him, but they're mad at him for leaving and don't want to see his stupid face yet.
Yep. I can attest to that. One of my cats leaped over my luggage and out the front door at 1 am. This after a nine-hour flight. I'm following him around with a flashlight and shaking a bag of treats. Does he come? No. He lets me get within five feet of him, then off he runs. After an hour of this nonsense, I corner him under my neighbor's deck, pour a handful of treats on the ground. When he comes out to get a treat, I pounced on him and carried him into the house. "Traitor! You tricked me!" he screamed in Cat. He gave me the cold shoulder for two days. He's been gone almost three years now. I miss that little monster.
Load More Replies...I know this is meant as a joke but... Cats are not dogs, people really need to learn how a cat communicates. Cats will show you that they like you just as this cat here does
Me: *arrives home* My cats: *come running when they hear me at the door* Also my cats: *Run straight past me and go outside*
My cat wouldn’t come up to me or look at me or let me pet her the first day or two after I came back from vacation. BUT wherever in the house I went she was there at a little distance making darn sure I didn’t try to leave again. :p
Ha! I went on vacation for about a week. My kitty at the time came running in my direction, and I thought Aw, she missed me and is running to greet me. She ran right past me, sat down with her back to me and pointedly ignored me. Worst snub of my life.
When you understand your cat is in some ways similar to a person on the autism spectrum (e.g. emotionally and physically extremely sensitive, easily overwhelmed by too many stimuli all at once, finds it difficult to look into your eyes or express their emotions in ways similar to neurotypical individuals) it becomes a lot easier to understand them and be the cat parent they deserve. You begin to appreciate that yes, they DO love you, they really ARE excited to see you, they just show these feelings in different ways. Ducking their head and coming in for a gentle side-swipe is a warm welcome!
After an absence Cats usually shun you for awhile before welcoming you back.
Not every cat. My cat greets me excitedly every day when I come home from work.
After a 5 day vacay I decided to skip the F-U part from my fluffy baby & immediately showered her with love & attention, treats, cuddles, and a huge apology softly breathed into her ear while I reminded her she was my absolute favorite creature on Earth. She was so happy she practically vibrated purring out of my arms. Fast forward to this morning, 3 days after my return. She left me the BEST parts of a large mouse right outside the back door. I can't remember the last time she did that for me. Super gross, but a massively huge compliment from my little princess.
I had a cat do this; thought it was walking right towards me, I knelt down and was reaching out, and that thing didn't even brush against me. Just last second redirected and walked all the way around me so it could go to my husband who was just standing there. I felt so heartbroken.
But when he's hungry (Starving in Kitty language), he'll knock you off your feet
Went on vacation. Left my cat at home while neighbors looked in on her each day. Came home and realized my little girl was not pleased. Got chewed out for way longer than I should've, in my opinion.
You again ? Hope you brought tuna. Oh btw, I need to clean my coat on you.
How Can I Help My Cat Lose Belly Fat?
Since cats don’t need much additional exercise (after all, they’re perfect as they are, and these cat memes prove it!), it can be as simple as using a feather duster, laser pointer, or a new cardboard box to play with them daily. Three play sessions, each five minutes long, are enough to help them reach their fitness goals.
“I also like using ‘hunter feeders’ and food puzzles to engage a cat’s ‘inner predator.’ Use vertical surfaces, climbing towers, and other perches to allow your cat to climb and ‘stalk’ as much as possible. Environmental enrichment and exercise are essential for emotional and behavioral health as well as maintaining a lean body mass,” Dr. Ward said, adding that cats can safely lose from 1% to 3% of their body mass each month… so long as they’re using a vet-supervised program.
🎵 Morning's here! THE morning's here! Sunshine is- MMMMRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOWWWW!!! HHHIIIIISSSSSSSS!!!!
Unless they call or text first and I know they are coming, even without the cats, I am not getting up. I will peacefully await their departure.
Why does water in middle of the night taste so damn good and is SO refreshing! Now I want to go to sleep and wake up to drink cold a*s water 😆😆😆
My daughter loves cats and I am allergic, every birthday she makes a wish for me to not be allergic to them anymore.
Load More Replies...My wife was told as a child she was allergic to cats. It was a lie, her mom just didn't want any. Now we have three.
No photo, just a story. Years ago I went to see Round Midnight at a cinema in Dalston, London. Within minutes the cinema cat chose my lap to curl up on for most of the film, getting down just before it ended. Best cinema experience ever.
This is a regular conversation in our house. (Cat at back door, looks like she wants to come in. Open door, she walks away.) Me: Did you just get the big F-U! Him: Yeah, for the second time in a row!
My daughter loves cats and I am allergic, every birthday she makes a wish for me to not be allergic to them anymore.
Load More Replies...My wife was told as a child she was allergic to cats. It was a lie, her mom just didn't want any. Now we have three.
No photo, just a story. Years ago I went to see Round Midnight at a cinema in Dalston, London. Within minutes the cinema cat chose my lap to curl up on for most of the film, getting down just before it ended. Best cinema experience ever.
This is a regular conversation in our house. (Cat at back door, looks like she wants to come in. Open door, she walks away.) Me: Did you just get the big F-U! Him: Yeah, for the second time in a row!