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

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.


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.


Catster's Digital Magazine is Back!

Vet-approved health & behavior advice

Real cat stories & community features

The Surprisingly Simple Ways to Help a Cat With Hairballs

Cats spend an astonishing amount of time grooming. It is part hygiene routine, part comfort ritual, and part instinct that traces back generations....

What a CATastrophe! A Tire-ing Ordeal For a Pony in the UK

As you would expect, our weekly news updates are usually centered around feline topics – we are a cat care website after all...

Ask Dr. Paola – Help! My Cat Has Stopped Eat His Wet Food! (June 1, 2026)

Welcome to our “Ask Dr. Paola” series, where every Monday we bring expert advice straight from Dr. Paola Cuevas (MVZ) to help our...

Chatting About Fake News in the Pet World, AI Again, and New Age Journalism | Chatty Cattys, Episode 23

Navigating the modern digital landscape requires a sharp eye to distinguish fact from fiction. In this episode of Catster’s podcast, Chatty Cattys, Nicole...

More related

6 Best Cat Urine, Odor, & Stain Removers in Australia in 2026: Reviews & Top Picks

One of the challenges that many cat owners face is cleaning up after cat urine stains. These stains are particularly stubborn and require...

Can You Be Allergic to Cats But Not Dogs? Vet-Approved Facts & Explanation

Cat allergies and dog allergies mean that you display allergic responses to specific proteins secreted by cats or dogs, respectively. Cat allergy sufferers...

100+ Orange Cat Names: Ideas for Mellow & Friendly Felines

The possibilities are endless when it comes to kitten fur colors. Grey, white, black, bi-color, tricolor, calico, tuxedo—just to name a few. Among...

Mixing Business with Charity at the Purrfect Day Cat Cafe

Despite what the news headlines might indicate, the world is generally filled with a lot more good people than bad, and you might...

Keep reading

American Journey Cat Food Review in 2026: Recalls, Pros & Cons

Review Summary American Journey Pet Food is an exclusive brand owned by Chewy.com. It was first launched in 2017 and sold almost exclusively through Chewy’s website. All American Journey’s pet food is made in the U.S.A. by a manufacturer in...

American Journey Cat Food Review

Can Cats Eat Avocado? Vet-Verified Health Concerns & FAQ

Avocados have several nutritional benefits for humans; they are low in sugar and packed with healthy vitamins and minerals. They are considered great for heart health and may help lower inflammation. Avocados can be made into dips like guacamole, added...

Can Cats Eat Avocado

Why Do Cats Stick Their Tongue Out? 10 Vet-Verified Reasons

You might better know a cat with its tongue out as a “blep”, and it’s just one of the reasons that we love cats so much. It’s unclear exactly where that term comes from, but go ahead and search for...

cat bleps

Can Cats Eat Sardines? Health Benefits & FAQ

Does your cat come running after the sound of a cracking can of sardines? Most felines are attracted to these tiny fish and will likely commit the sound of an opening can to memory. As you try to enjoy your...

Can Cats Eat Sardines

Why Is My Cat Acting Weird? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

Some cats display what many owners would consider odd or weird behavior regularly. Others settle into a routine and can be quite predictable. This predictability makes changes in behavior even more obvious. If your cat is showing sudden changes in...

a woman holding a cat on her lap

How Your Cat’s Endocrine System Works (Vet Approved Overview)

Just like ours, a cat’s body is made up of a variety of systems, which is an organization of varying organs and glands that are arranged to perform complex functions for the body that are essential for survival. There are...

Himalayan cat lying on floor

7 Best Cat Foods for Weight Gain (High Calorie) in 2026 – Reviews & Top Picks

Some cats are notoriously picky. No matter what food you put out for them, they turn up their noses and walk away from the food bowl. With hundreds of products available, you may struggle to select the right one for...

persian cat eating dry food from bowl

Why Don’t Cats Like Their Paws Touched? 8 Vet Reviewed Reasons

Any cat owner knows that a cat’s paws are among their cutest features, but most are off-limits to touching. Why is this? Why do some cats hate having their paws touched? Why do some allow it? In this article, we...

hand touching cat's paw

Love Cats? So Do We! Join the Catster Community

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




Sign up for the Catster Email Newsletter

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