Shoulder cats are a phenomenon much celebrated by self-confessed ‘cat people.’ It turns out that some cattos find the left or right, or both, shoulders of their owners the comfiest place to sit and look at the weird human world from above. Although it’s hard to precisely pinpoint when the term first emerged, the shoulder cat trend has recently taken over Reddit and other social media channels.
And while shoulder cat pics are taking over the internet, a big question has come up and it’s whether other animals on the shoulder count too. Because I mean, guys, is it really fair for cats to steal the entire spotlight for themselves? While this question remains purely philosophical, owners of different pets have now joined the ‘shoulder cat and not exclusively cat’ trend, sharing the cutest snaps of their furry friends on their shoulders.
So let’s see what this whole thing is all about and before someone asks, non-animals don’t count, so there’s no point trying to pull off the shoulder teddy bear for the challenge. Or maybe?...
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My Shoulder Buddy
The Swedish for raccoons translates as 'wash bears' (because of the way they rub their faces).
Load More Replies...Does Shoulder Duck Make The Cut?
Hopefully Shoulder Kittens Count
I thought so too! Even their expressions. How funny!
Load More Replies...To find out just why exactly some cats are really into shoulder perching, Bored Panda reached out to Molly DeVoss, a certified feline training & behavior specialist, who runs Cat Behavior Solutions consulting agency. Molly told us that cats like to be in high places and close to the scent of their owners, so “shoulder perching is a natural behavior that accomplishes both.”
Meanwhile, if it seems that for your cat, shoulder sitting is the last thing they wanna do, it may be because “the cat doesn’t feel safe or stable on their owners' shoulders.”
But the good news is that you can train a cat to do just anything it wants to do, says Molly. “If your cat likes to climb up on you, simply encourage and reinforce that behavior with treats, and the cat will do it more often.” You can also lure your cat up onto your shoulder with treats.
Oh Hi There, I Was Told That Shoulder Cats Are Trending Today
Behold The Glorious Whiskers Of Shoulder Cat
What About A Mouse?
No that’s a mouse remy is a rat they are actually quite different so that is most definitely NOT remy
Load More Replies...I had a white mouse named Jake who would sit on my shoulder when I did the laundry
Usually it’s young kittens that climb on their owners and sit up there, enjoying the sense of security there. As cats grow older, they get less agile and more cumbersome, thus making the internet’s favorite ‘shoulder catting’ trick harder with age.
But perching on the owner's shoulder isn’t a behavior that’s exclusive to cats. Birds and other small pets do it, and they’re usually easily trainable.
I See Your Shoulder Cats. I Raise You Crown Cat
lmao the subtitle thingy xD love it!! Awwww the cat is sooooo cute ><
Awesome. And the contrast between the tatted tough guy and the kitty cat is the best!
My Shoulder Cat Isn't Nearly As Cute As Everyone Else's
I See Your Shoulder Cats, Is It Too Late For A Shoulder Baby Opossum?
I love baby possums! My brother rescued a litter from a poor dead mama on the side of the road. He let me keep one and I bottle fed it, eventually litter trained it and kept him for years. He was so sweet and there was never a bug problem in our house at all! They have the slightest musk as babies. Also, Sunday school teachers do not approve or like pocket possums in their classes....
This was the last straw for my kitty! She couldn't stand my squeals and came over to claim me 😹
Do Shoulder Horses Count? She's Always Hanging Her Head Over My Neck Waiting For Scratches
I go for walks past some pastures with horses about once a week (every day during summer). I always offer them grass if there is any nearby. One of the horses has been either ignoring me, or being very dominant/ threatening. About a month ago it came over and leaned its head on my shoulder <3 I've finally been accepted,
My Shoulder Monster At 10 Months
For those wondering why the heck c**n gets censored, it's because it's an extremely offensive slang term for a black person.
Load More Replies...I Don’t Have A Cat, So I Present My Shoulder Bun!
Is it a mini rex? (srry, i know and i memorized all the breeds) 🐰🐰🐰🐰
Hope We Are Not Too Late
Shoulder Animals Seem To Be Pretty Popular Nowadays. So Here's A Shoulder Crow!
Hi everyone! I'm the person that posted the original post on Reddit, thank you for all the kind words about Horatio! To people asking what type of bird he is, he is a Pied Crow. They are a species of crow native to a large part of Africa! https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_crow
Its a Pied Crow. a species native to Africa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_crow
Load More Replies...Its a Pied Crow. a species native to Africa. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pied_crow
Load More Replies...I Give You, Azu, The Shoulder Snek
If it was venomous it’d be a nope rope, but this one is a fine twine
Load More Replies...She Was Purrty Proud Of My Accomplishment
Ahh, is that what you call it these days 😆 Too soon for love imo. But I sure would like to try and make it work between the 3 of us! Omnomnom 😋😍
Load More Replies...I can't help to think that the cat is more impressed with his new found cat toy.
And the tassel was just icing on the cake, I'm sure. LOL Way to go!
I think she was purity proud you put on that hat but that is so cute!
Heard You Like Shoulder Cats. This Is A.....pygmy Tree Cat
Uh my bad!!!! Upon further inspection it does look more like a squirrel. *facepalm
Yes, yes, I see the...cat. For $25 bucks I’ll keep up this charade indefinitely.
Within 2 Seconds Of Meeting The Cat I Was Adopting, She Climbed Onto My Shoulders
Ok, let's agree we let this hooman live in his delusion. We already know how this really works.
Does Shoulder Chicken Make The Cut?
It's an "old-type" Rhode Island Red, a dual-purpose bird, excellent for small farms :)
Load More Replies...what a sassy bird! from experience, chickens are great pets with huge personalities.
I used to work in downtown Austin, TX and multiple times I spotted a guy walking around with a chicken on his shoulder. He always wore a black duster with no shirt underneath and a cowboy hat. Keepin' it weird.
Doctor, Doctor, help me! ...I accidently stepped into a hooman!
Do These Count As Shoulder Animals?
Right Cow looks slightly disgusted by Left Cow's behaviour - "Don't lick it, you don't know where it's been"
Not so cute when you know they're eventually going to the slaughterhouse...
I Have My Shoulder Mounted Barkzooka Locked And Loaded!
Excuse me sir, there is a vicious pit bull on your shoulder. Please remove it before it harms you with its cuteness :)
He Always Climbs For A Hug After His Naps. Closest I Can Get To A Shoulder Cat
That's how my kitty is too. He loves to burrow his head in my hair and rub his face on my ear lol
Aw, that's nice. My cat Oreo just hisses and jumps off of me to scratch my roommate. He's cute, but deadly.
Load More Replies...My girl likes to sit like this as well, since she was a baby. Only now, for some reason, she drools while she's there
I See Your Baby Possums, Duck & Cats On Shoulders And Raise You An Albino Ferret
I'm sure you mean Tube snek.... but I'll forgive it because this is adorable.
Shoulder Cat Will Be Fun, They Said
Um, you do know you can clip those claws, or have the groomer or vet do it, don’t you?
Jumbo Shoulder Dog
Ah, the birth of a new sport! Probably inspired by the Woman Carrying competition in Finland.
I See Your Shoulder Cat And Raise You A Beard Kitten
Sleeping Shoulder Magpie Baby
I think I just died of jealousy! I love magies - they're beautiful and so bright!
YOU WIN. YOUWIN YOUWIN YOUWIN! the cutest thing ever. how lucky you are
Shoulder Cats? Nah, How About Shoulder Bear?
Ok dude, you win. You beat out shoulder sneks, ferrets & whatever that fuzzy tree thing was. Give this man his 20 cases of Rice A Roni, the San Francisco Treat for participating.
Silence Human, I’m Looking At Shoulder Cats
How About Shoulder Sugar Gliders?
Should be left in the wild in Australia they are a protected wild species not a pet.
I agree. But we don't know the story behind these two. Perhaps he's raised them from orphans?
Load More Replies...Do Shoulder Raccoons Count? Courtesy Of My Sister
Depends on the state you live in . They can make wonderful pets, so can skunks. However, they still are wild animals and can revert to completely wild in adolescence. The problem then is they're dangerous but they can't just be released to the wild, because they won't know how to care for themselves. Think long and hard and do your research. Know the location of the nearest wild animal rescue. Ask to visit,for advice and if maybe you can foster when they are short on space before committing.
Load More Replies...Shoulder Birb
OMIGOSH OMIGOSH LOOGIT THE FLOOFY BALL OF FEATHERS HE SO SMOOOOLLLLLLLL AWWWWW
Our delightful Aussie Budgie, wonderful little mates if allowed out of their cage in a safe environment.
I agree - we love our budgies! I'd love to see a big flock of them in the wild...
Load More Replies...Shoulder Nugget (And A Lap Full Of Beans)
My Dreams Of Having A Shoulder Cat Have Come True
Hope I’m Not Late For The Cat On Shoulder
Main problem with this breed is that it eats twice as much as other, larger drawings of cats.
Does A Rottweiler Puppy Count
I Give You Shoulder Bun
The bunny looks like a marshmallow toasted to perfection, but with a squishy cute face! Dying from cuteness overload. ;)
I, LUV, BUNIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZ! I MELTED CAN WE TRADE? MY LIFE FOR DAT BUNNY.
awwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww
Hope I'm Not Too Late To Raise You A Second Shoulder Cat
lovely! oh, sorry, am I supposed to be looking at the cats ;))))
We Raised A Shoulder Cat
Am I Too Late? Fern, The Sweetest Opossum!
Oh i'd love that. What a stunning animal. So sweet - and those little fingers...
He Found My Wife’s Hood. I Think He Likes It
When my piggies were babies, one of them would always climb up to my shoulder and fall asleep. She still sits on my shoulder, but she’s too old to fall asleep everywhere now.
Do Shoulder Squirrels Count?
Yeah! I had tons if pics with gizmo on my shoulders. Don't know where that broke phone is. A squirrel running circles around your body is a weird feeling. I miss that baby.
Is that wild.I thought squirrels ran up a treee when someone got to close
If you find a baby the mom deserted, you can rehab them then set them free. They are very playful. Check out Seymour the squirrel and sabrina the squirrel on YouTube. That guy rehabs lots of squirrels.
Load More Replies...The Elusive Shoulder Fox!
That fox is screaming- I feel so bad for that poor mans ears, foxes are so loud
Shoulder Dane Anyone?
IKR I want a great dane so bad. Such gentle giants.
Load More Replies...That looks like the most friendly pupper in the world, I want to kiss that little face to pieces!
my dane looks just like this floofer. she will come to you and put her head on your shoulder sometimes. she's done it to me once or twice... it's a good feeling when she does it
Do Chinchillas Count Too?
Ooh, my chinchilla is a fan of clinging to my hand and then scaling up my shirt before nesting in my hair. Prying him out after a while is very funny because he’s always trying to grip something for support (picking up a chinchilla from behind is hard)
Darling and wonderful to see it not some person wearing its pelt only
Shoulder Cat Or Cyclops?
Shoulder Cat In Process
I Thought My Little Shoulder Protector Should Get A Turn Too!!
Black is beautiful. My boy is totally black with green eyes and he drop dead gorgeous.
I See We Are Doing Shoulder Cats Today?
My Partner Would Like To Know If We’re Still Doing Shoulder Cats?
Ashby Got Me Through Back Surgery
A Teeny Weeny Shoulder Kitten (Another Reason To Love My Job)
Does A Shoulder Hedgehog Count?
My sister has a hedgehog and I watch it while she cleans its habitat. She’s very cute and likes to cuddle. But my god, if your hands smell at all like meat or fruit...
Big Dogs Can Be Shoulder Dogs Too. Meet Ruka
Awwww Ruka looks like a german shorthaired pointer. such loving dogs, my dog is part that.
You've Heard Of Shoulder Cat, Now Get Ready For Shoulder Fennec Fox!
I See Your One Shoulder Cat And Raise
Head And Shoulder Cat
We Hope Is Not To Late
What About A Shoulder Mule ?
What a beautiful animal, and a pleasure to see seen as mules are so rare nowadays
Shoulder Pig Anyone? (This Is What He Does When I Won't Let Him In My Lap)
Shoulder pig, shoulder pig! Does whatever a shoulder pig does.
Load More Replies...I Take Your Shoulder Cats And Raise You A Shoulder Bunny
My Brother's Shoulder Was The Safest Place At The Vet
If your brother's face wasn't censored, he'd either look like Jesus or a surfer dude.
What makes you think Jesus wasn’t a surfer dude? Bet there were some nice waves on the Sea of Galilee.
Load More Replies...My Shoulder Cat Is Broken And Says Woof
Soldier Cats
INTERNATIONAL LOVE....KITTY CATS.....GOD BLESS YOU YOUNG MAN...THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE...
I See Your Shoulder Cat And Raise You A Shoulder Chick. Sound On To Hear Her Happy Cooing
I See Your Shoulder Baby Opossum And I Raise You To A Shoulder Bearded Dragon!
I Don't Have A Cat But This Might Work. Shoulder... Snek
I Submit A Shoulder Cow For Your Approval
I Hereby Raise You, The Shoulder Rescue Marmoset
So much hate in the comments. She probably rescued him for a better life! super cute monkey and have a good day :)
Aww! He's wearing a superman cape! That's perfect! It say's he's a rescue monkey, so he's probably to help her with possible medical issues. Just clearing up why she has a monkey! :)
Hopefully being a rescue, they're now in the hands of someone who can at least care for them properly.
Load More Replies...Super Shoulder Kitty
Ok But What About A Shoulder Hamster
My Shoulder Cat, Lily, Is Using My Shoulders As If I'm Getting Paid To Be A 24/7 Cat Hanger
Here’s My Toothless One-Eyed Shoulder Cat
Smiling Shoulder Cat?
Shoulder Coatimundi?
It’s Not Too Late To Join In All The Fun Is It? I Present To You All, A Shoulder Corgi Pup!
Okay I found my favorite pic! LOVE. LOVE. LOVE. CORGIs and that is a PRECIOUS doggy!!
oh...mah......gawd............asdlasjsdlghsgfkjSOiu33egCUTEjfhgkassajdgh
Heard You Guys Liked Cute Animals On Shoulders, Here's Me Riding My Bike In Serbia With My Cat On My Shoulders
Shoulder Guinea Pig Providing Great Advice
my dude as a guy who games himself pull the mic outta of ya mouth great pig tho XD
Shoulder Cat With A Twist, Theo Is Also A Part Time Hairdresser
Update this! I am in love with the pooferfluffynooter's mad hair skillz!
My Roommates Cat Fell Asleep On Her Shoulder
Too Fat To Shoulder Cat
dang he bigger than my fat cat.For the record I have 6 not all fat
How About A Shoulder Baby Bunny?
They're Good Scarfs Bront
On both faces! You and your dog are beautiful!
Load More Replies...Does My Weird Fuzzy Snake Make The Cut?
Are We Too Late To Join The Party?
Training My New Kitty To Be A Shoulder Cat! 5 Months Old
Kinda Late To The Party, But Shoulder Cat In Elevator
I See Your Shoulder Cat.....
What About A Maine Coon Hat?
Is This Still A Thing? I Hope Im Not Late. Meet Milo And Peanut, My 2 Little Oinkies
I See Your Shoulder Cat And Raise You A Shoulder Rooster
Seeing All The Shoulder Pets, Thought I'd Add My Shoulder Dog
Shoulder Dog That Acts Like A Cat, So It Counts
The Best Thing About Fostering Is Getting To Experience Cats With Wildly Different Personalities Like Our New Shoulder Cat Cleo!
I Was Told This Community Would Like To See This Pic But Now I See Why!! Everyone's Posting Their Adorable Shoulder Cats!! Hope I'm Not Too Late To The Party
Oh my goodness is your kitty cat, beautiful!! Adorable!! By the way I love your makeup as well
Everyone talking about the girl and cat, and one comment about the cow, but are we gonna ignore pop socket?
Dual Wielding
Since We're Shouldering Animals, Say Hi To Dawn!
I Said Shoulder, But She Wouldn't Listen
I, Too, Would Like To Share A Possum-On-My-Shoulder Pic
This Shoulder Cat Is Giving And Receiving Special Boops
After 4 Years Mary Finally Decided It Was Time To Become A Shoulder Kitty
This gives me hope for my two 1 year old kitties who haven't quite taken to the shoulder scene yet 😋 good cause I am getting wildly jealous of all these posts
Since We’re Doing Shoulder Cats, I Raise You My Double Shoulder Kittens
I Heard Y'all Like Cats On Shoulders...
I See Your Shoulder Cats, Your Turkeys, Your Gerbils... I Raise You A Dragon
I want it so bad. Too bad my parents hate them. I would have at least 7 of them if I could.
Found This One Lost In A Market, He Likes To Eat, Pee And Sit At My Shoulder, All At The Same Time
I Heard Shoulder Kittens Are Super In Right Now
I’ve Heard We Do Shoulder Cats... Meet Crosseyed Shoulder Cat And My Dad
I love the goatee and the little white toes! Especially the little tiny toe! Those legs are so delicate too! Precious!!
Shoulder Cat In One Of Cairo's Busses
Meet Thunder, The Cat I Took From The Streets A Few Days Ago. He Wouldn't Even Let Me Touch Him Back Then, But Today His Favourite Place To Chill Is My Shoulder
Is It Okay If One Rides On My Shoulder While The Other Rides On My Head?
Shoulder Tiny Trash Panda
For Your Shoulder Cat Consideration, This Is Old Man Wilson
Scary Shoulder Cat Lmao
My Friend Charlie Chaplin
They May Not Be Cats, But They’re Still Good Shoulder Boys! Happy International Bird Day!
Raise birds for many years (including cockatoos and macaws (had big Greenwing as pet). At first was a little apprehensive with a Macaw that close to my eyes. As we bonded more strongly she decided she liked to preen eyebrows. The incredible delicacy and care a bird can show is amazing.!
I See Your Shoulder Cats And Raise You A Shoulder Gerbil
Double Trouble- A Shoulder Cat & A Lap Cat!
How About A Shoulder Dog Scared Of A Little Thunder?
When He Was Small Enough To Be My Shoulder Buddy
This Lady In My Neighborhood That Walks Around With Her Cat On Her Shoulder
Double Trouble
Hear Me Out ... Shoulder Cat And Matching Shirts ?
I Have An Aggressively Affectionate Cat
I Don't Have A Shoulder Cat, However, Here Is A Shoulder Horse
I See Your Shoulder Cat Photos. Do A Couple Of Shoulder Ferrets Count?
Shoulder Caaaat
My Shoulder Cat
Parents New Cat Likes To Climb On My Shoulders And Play With My Ears
My New Kitty Max! The Cat Carrier Is Still A Little Scary For Him. So He Climbed Up My Shoulder And Spent The Ride Home Sleeping There
A Dark-Haired Man Wearing A Plaid Shirt Stares Directly Into The Camera With A Kitty Cat On His Left Shoulder
I Work On A Farm. Meet My Work Shoulder Cat, James
I Too Have A Shoulder Kitten. We're Not Very Good At Selfies Yet
I Call Your Shoulder Cat And Raise You Two Shoulder Tiggers
The most wonderful thing about tiggers, is that tiggers are wonderful things! *loud off-key singing*
How About A Shoulder Doodle?
Does Shoulder Guinea-Fowl Count?
My Blind 16 Yr Old Cat Has A Very Special Relationship With My Boyfriend And Managed To Climb On His Shoulders Where She Needed A Helping Hand To Get Down
Everyone Should Have A Shoulder Cat.
Here’s My Shoulder Cat. I Hope I’m Not Too Late
Scarf Cat Is Having A Great Time, I Swear
My Parents New Puppy Enjoys Sleeping Like This, Especially While Driving
Shoulder Cat! (Sorry About The Human)
My Shoulder Cat Gringo, He Lives At The Vet Clinic Where I Work (Vet) And Helps Keep Our Spirits Up!
I Offer You A Shoulder Guinea Pig In This Trying Time
that little sweetheart is looking right at the camera !! Look at that face !
My Cat's Kitten Climbed Up My Shoulder, Buried Her Head Into My Hair And Fell Asleep. My Shoulders Are Stiff But It's A Small Price To Pay
We Still Doing Shoulder Animals? When He Was Small He Would Sit Like This In The Car
I See Your Shoulder Cats, And Raise You Two
Does A Leopard Gecko On My Shoulder Count?
The Citty I Found In Street And Me
My Shoulder Cat Puts His Butt On My Head
Alaska Here Loves To Hang Out On Your Shoulder
I See Your Shoulder Animals, And I Raise You With This Sweet Baby Opossum
I Heard We Were Posting Our Animals That Love Shoulders
My Half-Blind Shoulder Son
Are We Still Doing Shoulder Animals?
I See Your Shoulder Cat Pic And Double It
The lil white kitten is so cuteeee, the black one is so regal and pretty
This Is My Rescue, Charlie, And She Loves Trips On My Shoulder... Mr. Mom To A Cat That Thinks It’s A Parrot
Are We Too Late For A 60lb Shoulder Dog?
Too Lazy To Be A Shoulder Cat
One Heavy Pit Unsure Of Why She's On My Shoulder, Checking In
Whenever She Rides With Me. She Will Break Out Of Her Cat Cage And Sit On My Shoulders
My First Time Today Experiencing A Shoulder Cat. I’ve Peaked In Life
What Do Y’all Think About Dogs Who Think They’re Cats?
Me With My Perfectly Normal Shoulder Cat
I Heard We Were Posting Shoulder Cats (My Fiancé And Our Baby Tormund)
This Is "Nermal" The Foster Cat That Adopted Me And Rides On My Shoulder
Meet Blue, The Shoulder Cat. He Had To Have All His Teeth Removed Except For His Canines. He's Pretty Swell
I Heard Something About “Shoulder Cats”?
My Vet Has A Shoulder Cat And I Love It. Meet Tonks
How About A Shoulder Chicken? She Just Flew Right Up There And Scared The Heck Out Of Me!
I See Your Shoulder Cats And Raise You A Shoulder Bunny. Crash Landed There And Knocked My Glasses Off After Scrambling With His Gremlin Claws Up My Back
Peggy Sue Said She’s Sorry She’s Late To The Party
Not My Shoulder Cat, But The Friendly Neighborhood Shoulder Cat That Visits Us Randomly
Either pets make all guys cuter, or covid distancing has gone on way too long.
It's the former. Research shows that a good pet owner is attractive because to another person, a good pet owner = a great parent.
Load More Replies...What! All those kitties and not one rat? Rats LOVE shoulder sitting - I can fit three of mine on at once! :D Rat-Shot-5...0e5e54.jpg
What I really enjoy - apart from the great animals - are the many different, often goofy faces. There are way too many smooth instragmm-faces on the web.
Funnily enough, started reading this & 4 pics in my cat is on my shoulders
Either pets make all guys cuter, or covid distancing has gone on way too long.
It's the former. Research shows that a good pet owner is attractive because to another person, a good pet owner = a great parent.
Load More Replies...What! All those kitties and not one rat? Rats LOVE shoulder sitting - I can fit three of mine on at once! :D Rat-Shot-5...0e5e54.jpg
What I really enjoy - apart from the great animals - are the many different, often goofy faces. There are way too many smooth instragmm-faces on the web.
Funnily enough, started reading this & 4 pics in my cat is on my shoulders
