Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

How to Create a Viral Cat Video: 6 Simple Steps

woman taking video of her cat

Cats have the power to attract billions of views online. A simple web search of viral cat videos will lead you to an endless supply of entertaining cat videos. While many of these videos become viral out of luck, there are some things you can do to create a viral cat video. So, if you have a cat with star power, you may be able to do a few things to boost their chances of being seen by millions. Here are some helpful tips that you can use to create a viral cat video.

divider 2 cats

Before You Start

The good news about going viral is that you don’t need fancy equipment to record your cat. Many viral cat videos are organic and candid footage of cats doing funny, cute, or weird things. You really just have to make sure you know how to use your camera to capture clear videos of your cat. Take some time to play around with your phone camera settings to see how you can get the images. Test the exposure settings to see which ones create the best lighting. Make sure also to check to see how much you can zoom in on your cat before the video becomes too grainy or pixelated.

divider 2 cats

The 6 Simple Steps on How to Create a Viral Cat Video

1. Be Ready at All Times

Cats are unpredictable, and their curiosity can land them in some funny situations. Since it’s difficult to tell when a cat will do something funny, it’s best to have your phone ready at all times. Make sure your phone’s default screen has a button that quickly opens up your camera app so that you’re ready to record as fast as possible.

woman photographs a stray cat with a smartphone
Image Credit: Serhii Ivashcuk, Shutterstock

2. Record Vertically

Most people will view your video on their phones while scrolling through social media or opening a link that was sent to them. Therefore, the most optimal and natural way to view videos is vertically.

Try your best to record videos vertically rather than horizontally. While horizontal videos will capture a wider range of scenery, most people won’t flip their phones sideways. This means that the image will appear smaller, and it will be more difficult for people to see what your cat is doing.


3. Hop on Trending Challenges

Staying updated on viral trends can help you create a viral cat video. Many people will create their own twist on a trend to make their video stand out. By joining these trends, your video has a higher chance of being viewed by more people. Some common types of trends your cat can be a part of are dance challenges, viral audio clips, or viral songs.

You can also try creating your own challenge with your cat video. For example, if your cat is making noises in the video, challenge viewers to create a caption for the video or stitch their own reactions to your cat.

cat lying in bed and watching videos on the phone_Lario_shutterstock
Image Credit: Lario, Shutterstock

4. Edit Your Video

Average social media video clips are between 10–17 seconds long. Every second counts, and you don’t have much time to capture your audience’s attention before they choose to scroll to the next video. Therefore, your video has a higher chance of going viral if it’s edited rather than just posting the full, unedited version of it.


5. Create a Cat Social Media Account

If you enjoy taking photos and videos of your cat, you may want to just start a social media account for your cat. Having a collection of videos can boost the chances of people finding your account and viewing your content.

Creating a cat social media account is certainly playing the long game. However, it can be a good investment and help widen your reach and increase the chances of people sharing your content.


6. Share Your Video With Friends

Make sure to upload your video to popular social media accounts and share the video link with your friends. This makes sharing much easier than sending full video files to them. Encourage your friends to share the video link with others to spread the word about your cat. Make it as easy as possible for people to send your video to others.

divider 1 paws

Conclusion

There isn’t a specific formula for creating viral cat videos, but you can do some easy things to produce a video that many people will like. You can edit clips and hop onto viral trends to boost your chances of getting more views. Creating a social media account for your cat and actively sharing your videos can also help spread the word about your cat. Lastly, make sure to have your camera ready at all times because you just never know when your cat will do something that will end up skyrocketing their internet fame.


Featured Image Credit: MariaBorovkova, Shutterstock

Want content like this delivered to you?

Sign Up For Our Newsletter

News, insights, expert advice, and everything cat

* By submitting, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

I Discover the Karlsson Cat Levitator – and I Test It

“Cats love anti-gravity. I bet you didn’t know that.” Thus spake Flickr user Mr. Thinktank. As a matter of fact, I didn’t know...

13 Vet-Approved Home Safety Tips for Small Children & Cats

The best parents do everything in their power to keep the small beings they’re responsible for safe. This applies to our pets just...

9 Best Remote Control Cat Toys in 2025 – Reviews & Top Picks

Cats are playful and curious pets that thrive on having various enriching activities scheduled throughout their day. Some cats seem to have an...

How to Get Your Kitten to Like Water: 4 Vet-Reviewed Methods

A popular complaint among pet cat owners is that their cats don’t appreciate baths and are not cooperative when it comes to being...

More related

Can Cats Eat Twizzlers? Health Risks & Precautions

Twizzlers, the colorful little candies that come in various shapes and flavors, are often enjoyed by humans. However, many cat owners wonder whether...

Will My Cat Suffocate if They Sleep Under a Blanket? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Once you bring a cat home, it won’t take long for them to find a blanket, a comforter, a scarf, or another type...

Can Cats Eat Popsicles? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Most cats do not show a lot of interest in food other than the stuff that we owners put in their bowls. Therefore,...

Caring for Pets While Serving in the Military: 10 Vet-Approved Tips

The pet owners among the 2.13 million active military personnel all face the same problem when they serve: how to care for their...

Keep reading

Why Does My Cat Attack Me & No One Else? 7 Vet-Reviewed Reasons & What to Do

There are several reasons why your cat may choose to attack you and no one else. Oftentimes, cats, especially kittens and young adults, play rough if they haven’t been adequately socialized and find human fingers and hands to be a...

kittens training

Why Does My Cat Sleep in the Bathroom? 8 Vet-Verified Reasons

Cats are strange animals, and that’s part of the reason we love them. Sometimes, though, they can act downright bizarre and become obsessed with the weirdest things. For instance, you might be amused and puzzled if you happen to find...

cat rubbing its head on the bathroom floor

Can a Cat With Feline Leukemia Live With Other Cats? Vet-Reviewed Facts & FAQ

Feline leukemia, or FeLV, is a virus that is the second leading cause of death in cats. It’s a serious condition that must be dealt with throughout an infected cat’s lifetime. Luckily, a vaccine that prevents cats from getting it...

sick cat with feline disease

E. Coli Infection in Cats: Vet Approved Signs, Causes & Care

E. coli, or Escherichia coli, is a bacterium that sits in most living mammals’ digestive tracts. It can be found in human and animal urine and feces. It’s usually a commensal organism, part of the normal bacterial flora of the...

sick orange cat

10 Senior Cat Health Problems: Vet-Verified Common Issues

Like people and other animals, cats start to show signs of aging as they reach their senior years. Typically, 10 years is considered to be senior for a cat, although many do go on to live to 17 or 18...

Catster_Health Problems of Senior Cat

Do Cats Eat Squirrels? Is It Healthy for Them?

Cats are quirky animals, and you never know what they are going to do next. They don’t follow the pack or do what humans want them to do. So, even when we provide our kitties with an abundantly nutritional diet,...

squirrel-in-the-trees

Manx Cat Health Problems: 8 Vet-Reviewed Issues

It’s an easy task to fall in love with the Manx cat—their bouncy personalities, communication skills, easygoing temperament, and enjoyment of pets and children make them wonderful additions to most homes. Let’s not forget that tail—or lack of tail—that makes...

Catster_Health Problems of Manx

Why Do Cats Lick Themselves So Often? 11 Vet-Reviewed Reasons for This Behavior

Grooming is an important part of any cat’s day. Indeed, cats may spend up to half their awake time grooming themselves. Mother cats also lick their kittens as part of their bonding process, and cats who enjoy each other’s company...

cat licking close up