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

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

20 Silly Cat Pics You’ll Love (Updated in 2025)

There’s no doubt about it: cats are silly creatures. They get themselves stuck in precarious positions, make hilarious faces, and love getting into...

Why Does My Cat Chase Me? 8 Reasons & What to Do

Cats are cute and adorable even when they’re chasing you, but sometimes you just want a bit of space. To help you understand...

Cat Quality of Life Scale: Making End-of-Life Decisions (Vet Answer)

It’s hard to know when it’s the right time to say goodbye to our loving feline family members. In the past, veterinarians have...

8 Cat Breeds That Look Like Tigers & Lions (With Info & Pictures)

Cats are right behind dogs as the most popular pets in the United States. These family-favorite pets share a common ancestor with other...

More related

How Long Can Cats Go Without Food? Vet-Verified Dangers & Tips

Cats are often hungry little monsters devouring their food rapidly. Conversely, they may be picky eaters that refuse to eat anything but their...

Cats & Daylight Savings Time: Will It Affect My Pet? Vet-Approved Facts & Care Tips

Daylight savings time is either a hassle or a gift, and there’s no way around it, as an extra hour tacked on at...

Persian Kittens For Sale in Wisconsin: Breeders List 2025

Catster advocates for adopting before shopping, though we fully understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder. So, we encourage it to...

Can I Carry My Cat in a Purse? Vet-Approved Safety Tips

Getting your cat to and from the vet can be a difficult and dangerous task if you don’t have a cat carrier. Some...

Keep reading

Can Cats Drink Coconut Water? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & FAQ

Coconut water is the clear liquid that is found inside young coconuts. It is packed with electrolytes and is known to offer benefits to humans when consumed. But can cats have coconut water? Coconut water is not toxic to cats...

How to Stop a Cat From Suckling: 6 Vet-Approved Tips for Prevention

Kittens often engage in suckling for a variety of reasons, including because they were weaned too early or find it comforting. This is a fairly normal behavior in kittens, but sometimes it continues into a feline’s adulthood, and while the...

cat-suckling-blanket

7 Things My Cat Does While I’m Taking a Shower

Cats are notorious for watching people while they’re trying to shower, and most cats do strange things in bathrooms from time to time. Some like to stare at their owners in the shower, and others like to play with the...

Bengal cat standing on the bathtub

Can Cats Eat Chicken Bones? Vet-Verified Nutrition Facts & Safety Guide

Cats just love eating chicken! It can be a healthy part of any cat’s diet. But what about chicken bones? After all, cats out in the wild (or your little hunters at home) catch and eat birds, bones and all....

Can Cats Eat Chicken Bones

Why Does My Cat Fart When I Pick Him Up? 5 Vet-Reviewed Reasons

As much as you love your cat, there are times when they can be a little gross. Times like when they repeatedly shove their butt in your face or the way they can fart when you pick them up. While...

male owner holding his devon rex cat

How to Stop a Cat From Overeating: 9 Vet-Approved Tips & Tricks

Everyone wants their furry feline family member to be happy and satisfied, and your cat having a fulfilled and healthy appetite is part of them living a well-balanced life. However, a good appetite doesn’t mean they should be consuming more...

persian cat eating dry food

How Long Will a Cat With Diabetes Live Without Treatment? Vet-Verified Risks & FAQ

Diabetes is a common and serious disease that affects the health of cats. When left untreated, diabetes can cause life-threatening complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis, neurological disease, and other health problems. Fortunately, most cases of diabetes in cats can be...

owner calming his cat

6 Alternative Types of Natural Cat Litter: Vet Approved Options

If you’re searching for a new cat litter or natural alternative to the traditional clay litter, you are in the right place. Many cat owners (and some cats) don’t care for the clay-based litters—either the feel of these litters or...

woman cleaning cat litter at home