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.

Lifestyle

How to Create a Viral Cat Video: 6 Simple Steps

By Jessica Kim
Share
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.


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

The Catster Newsletter

Expert cat care, straight to your inbox

News, insights, and useful advice, delivered to you.

No spam — unsubscribe anytime.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy & Cookies Policy.

Click a star to rate. You can leave written feedback afterwards. (We read all feedback.)

Jessica Kim
Authored by

Jessica Kim

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.

How to Make My Cat TikTok Famous: 8 Tips to a Viral Craze

How to Make My Cat TikTok Famous: 8 Tips to a Viral Craze

Anyone who’s lived with cats will know just how much happiness and laughter they can bring. Sharing cat videos online can help you spread the joy of cats, and…

Jessica Kim
By Jessica Kim ·
How Can I Make My Cat An Internet Star? 13 Tips To Stardom

How Can I Make My Cat An Internet Star? 13 Tips To Stardom

The internet loves cats, and many cats have strategically grown their social media accounts to reach stardom and celebrity status. Some cats have tens of milli…

Jessica Kim
By Jessica Kim ·
How to Make Your Cat Instagram Famous in 2026

How to Make Your Cat Instagram Famous in 2026

There’s no denying that the internet loves cats and is always looking for more cat content. Many cats have become internet famous and have amassed millions of…

Catster Editorial Team
By Catster Editorial Team ·
Are Cat Videos Good for Cats? What Science Says & Vet Approved Safety Tips

Are Cat Videos Good for Cats? What Science Says & Vet Approved Safety Tips

There are tons of cat videos on the internet. There are millions of Google searches for cats every month. So, it’s safe to say that the internet loves cats. Fo…

Jessica Kim
By Jessica Kim ·

Top 10 Cutest Cat Videos of All Time

There’s no denying the fact that the internet loves cats. You can find an endless supply of viral videos that feature cats doing all sorts of things. You can e…

Jessica Kim
By Jessica Kim ·
Top 10 Cutest Cat Videos of All Time

Why Is the Internet So Obsessed With Cats? 5 Potential Reasons

Cats have been valued pets around the world for a long time. They also walk into our lives while out on the street and in the park. We are all extremely famili…

Rachael Gerkensmeyer
By Rachael Gerkensmeyer ·
Why Is the Internet So Obsessed With Cats? 5 Potential Reasons

How to Take Amazing Photos of Your Cat: 7 Helpful Tips

Photos can capture precious memories of your cat, but it can be challenging to take clear photos of them. Most cats don’t have the patience for sitting around…

Jessica Kim
By Jessica Kim ·
How to Take Amazing Photos of Your Cat: 7 Helpful Tips

4 Richest Cats in the World (With Info & Pictures)

Cats are one of the most beloved pets in the world, and they are known for their charming personalities and adorable looks. But did you know that some cats are…

Christian Adams
By Christian Adams ·
4 Richest Cats in the World (With Info & Pictures)

6 Tips for Sharing Your Home with Cats You Must Know

When we decide to welcome a cat into our home, we can expect a few changes to occur. Your bathroom will have a litterbox that takes up space, your lounge might…

Sarah Psaradelis
By Sarah Psaradelis ·
6 Tips for Sharing Your Home with Cats You Must Know

18 Great Cat Photography Ideas for Your Next Photoshoot (With Pictures)

Cats have dominated the Internet since the Internet existed. Memes, funny videos, and photos are more valuable online currencies than Bitcoin. If you’re a cat…

Caroline Bonin
By Caroline Bonin ·
18 Great Cat Photography Ideas for Your Next Photoshoot (With Pictures)

10 Famous TikTok Cats: Iconic Cat Influencers in 2026

The internet loves cats, so it’s no surprise that some cats have risen to fame and become influencers on social media. Cats are extremely popular on TikTok, an…

Jessica Kim
By Jessica Kim ·
10 Famous TikTok Cats: Iconic Cat Influencers in 2026

How to Get Your Cat Into Commercials: 5 Tips to Make Your Pet a Star

There’s no denying that any pet cat can be a wonderful companion. However, some have special star quality or possess a strong work ethic that indicates that th…

Jessica Kim
By Jessica Kim ·
How to Get Your Cat Into Commercials: 5 Tips to Make Your Pet a Star

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

Stay informed with expert cat care insights delivered straight to your inbox! Discover professional guidance on feline behavior, feeding tips, trusted product picks, and much more.

You may opt-out at any time. View our Privacy Policy for more information.

The Catster site on a phone