In case you didn’t know, 2016 marks the 25th anniversary of the Internet. Hard to believe for some of us. To celebrate this historical milestone, the question had to be asked…”How much of the Internet’s traffic is devoted to cats?”
According to a New York Times article on “How Cats Took Over the Internet’ at the Museum of the Moving Image” they state that while it’s not true that 15 percent of all Internet traffic is cat-related, as the Friskies cat food company asserted in 2013, it does make a convincing urban legend. We came across a lot of conflicting statistics claiming anywhere from 1% to 15% of all internet traffic is cat related. Suffice it to say that feline fans generate a LOT of traffic online!
The internet has put a wealth of scientific knowledge at our fingertips for the last few decades, but it’s not what most people are interested in. Everything we could possibly want to learn is just a click away, but many people would rather watch funny cat videos, and who could blame them?
Cats are adorable, each of them possessing their own unique personality. Some are colorful and inviting, and others are just plain grumpy. While many people sacrifice for years to reach fame status, cats are making it look easy. One strategically timed Instagram photo or video and your cat could go viral. Before you know it, you could find yourself signing a deal with Friskies and your cat could be endorsing the latest flavor of crunchy cat treats.
Many cats have made it big and have collected hundreds of thousands of followers on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Many of them have gone above and beyond and are now internationally recognized feline superstars, and it’s all thanks to the wonderful online world.
Here’s our list of 10 cats who took the internet by storm.
1. Max Arthur, the Roomba Cat
Nothing is greater than a cat riding a vacuum cleaner. Max Arthur, the fifteen-year-old snowshoe cat, loves to wear his shark costume and jump on his Roomba for a ride. He’s often accompanied by his pit bull friend, Sharky, and other pet friends who live in the household.
While most cats see water as their sworn enemy, he’s an avid lover of baths and immensely enjoys his shower time in the kitchen sink. He also has nearly fifty thousand likes on Facebook and millions of views on YouTube. If you haven’t seen him, check out this Roomba Cat video of him riding a magic carpet dressed as Princess Jasmine.
2. Grumpy Cat
Tardar Sauce, famously known as Grumpy Cat, is the most iconic cat in the entertainment industry. She is so iconic that it’s difficult to walk through any major store without seeing her face on a t-shirt, mug, or cell phone case. Tardar Sauce gets her unique grumpy look from an underbite and her tiny stature from feline dwarfism.
Born in April 2012, Grumpy Cat has been on the scene since the beginning. She has made appearances on NBC, ABC, CBS, and VH1, and she has made guest appearances on The Bachelorette, WWE’s Monday Night Raw, and American Idol. She has acted in television commercials, and she even starred in her own Lifetime movie, Grumpy Cat’s Worst Christmas. With over nineteen million views on YouTube, it’s no wonder that she won 1st prize Golden Kitty at the Internet Cat Video Film Festival. To follow Grumpy Cat on Instagram => @realgrumpycat
3. Venus, the Two Faced Cat
Venus is a total mystery to both scientists and spectators. One half of her face is jet black with a green eye, and the other half of her face has a blue eye and resembles a classic tortoiseshell like the rest of her body. She was featured on the National Geographic website and even made an appearance on the Today show.
She has well over one million likes on Facebook, one million followers on Instagram, and millions of views on YouTube. Like most cats that become internet famous, Venus is truly one of a kind. To follow Venus on Instagram => @venustwofacecat
4. Lil Bub
Lil Bub, a 5-year-old female cat, is among the most famous on this list, having thousands of Twitter followers, over a million followers on Instagram, and nearly three million likes on Facebook. Lil Bub gets her unique look from a few rare genetic conditions. Her tongue perpetually hangs out of her mouth due to a short lower jaw and a lack of teeth.
She also has extra toes on every paw and a condition that affects her bones and alters her stature and ability to walk. Lil Bub won the Tribeca Online Festival Best Feature Film for the Lil Bub and Friendz documentary. She’s made appearances on Good Morning America and the popular television talk show The View. She even released her own album entitled Science and Magic featuring her very own purrs and vocalizations. You can buy Lil Bub’s coffee mugs, tote bags, and plush toys online. To follow Lil Bub on Instagram => @iamlilbub
5. Garfi the Angry Cat
Garfi is a Persian cat who lives in Turkey with his owner, Hulya Ozok. He has over sixty-three thousand followers on Instagram and is dubbed the world’s angriest cat.
He even produced a wall calendar with images of himself angrily hovering around his various photo shoot props. He is frequently dressed up in adorable outfits that complement his angry face and fluffy, orange hair. To follow Garfi on Instagram => @meetgarfi
6. Cole and Marmalade
These two adorable kitties made the list as a two for one item! Best friends and inseparable companions, Cole and Marmalade are both male rescue cats. According to coleandmarmalade.com, Cole is believed to be a Turkish angora and Marmalade is a short haired ginger tabby.
They’ve been awarded a Friskies, and the duo has collected well over a million likes on Facebook and over one-hundred thousand followers on Instagram. They also get millions of views on YouTube where they feature educational and clever videos such as 5 Life Hacks Fur Cat Owners. To follow Cole and Marmalade on Instagram => @coleandmarmalade
7. Snoopy
Snoopy the exotic shorthair has been named The Cutest Cat on the Internet. With an adorable squished face, Snoopy is both Tumblr and Instagram famous. Often appearing in cute costumes, he has over three-hundred thousand followers on Instagram.
He was born on May 11, 2011 in China, where he also currently resides. He is the star of many YouTube videos and has even made a guest appearance on a popular Chinese TV show. To follow Snoopy on Instagram => @snoopybabe
8. Hamilton the Hipster Cat
Hamilton gets his fame and his nickname from his permanent and pristine white hipster mustache. He’s collected over one hundred thousand Facebook likes, and over five hundred thousand followers on Instagram.
The rescued cat also has thousands of Twitter followers, and he starred in the Friskies music video “Cat Summer” alongside Grumpy Cat and others. You can find Hamilton the Hipster Cat prints, cell phone cases, and t-shirts online. To follow him on Instagram => @hamilton_the_hipster_cat
9. Lazarus the Vampire Cat
Rescued on September 11, 2012, Lazarus is possibly one of the cutest cats on the planet and among the most famous rescue pets. He gets his vampire-like appearance from a primary cleft palate and a missing upper lip.
He is also missing a nose, but he is nothing short of adorable. The Tennessee native has over thirty-five thousand likes on Facebook. To follow Lazarus on Instagram => @lazarusthevampirecat
10. Cat Food Breath
Described as a “seventeen pound Siamese with a sushi habit”, Cat Food Breath runs one of the most popular cat accounts on Twitter. He has over fifty-one thousand followers and produces some of the funniest tweets on his followers’ Twitter feeds.
He even creates and tweets about his own events such as Tour de Couch and the Summer Cat Olympics. He also plays a big role in promoting a Vermont chapter of the Humane Society by frequently posting pictures of adopted animals. With some of the most hilarious tweets around, Cat Food Breath rules Twitter. To follow him on Twitter => @CatFoodBreath
Credits: Main article by Lauren Matyear – a professional writer and cat owner.
Summary
There are many other well known cats whose antics appear regularly on the Internet. These were our pick of 10 of the most influential. To round up the list to a dozen, we wanted to make special mention to these kitties who earned a dedicated post on our blog. Check out Atchoum (the adorable werewolf cat) and Olive & Rye (a delightful rescue duo).
Samson the 28 pound mainecoon front New York!!!!!!!
How can Sylvestet The Talking Kittu, not be on here?!!
I miss Colonel Meow.
Venus, she look like angel and demon 🙂