Many people think their own beloved cat is the most fascinating creature to pad the planet, but these cats have reached another level of adoration. With millions of people watching their every move, meet the cats who have hit the jackpot of pet popularity online.
Most popular cats on the internet
1. Nala Cat
The undisputed queen of 'catfluencers', Nala Cat is a cross between a Siamese and a Scottish Fold with huge, soulful, blue eyes and a permanent “aww” face. Adopted at five months old from a cat shelter, her heartwarming rescue story has captured many hearts around the around. With 4.5 million followers, she holds the Guinness World Record for the most Instagram followers of any cat account and even has her own pet food brand and a book, giving her an estimated net worth of $100 million.
2. Grumpy Cat
Although she died in 2019, Grumpy Cat remains the original sour-faced meme. Her career took off when her owner's brother posted her photograph on Reddit, and her perpetually displeased expression became one of the most recognisable images of the 2010s. Although she died in 2019, ardent fans keep her Instagram alive in her honour, where she still has 2.5 million followers.
3. Suki Cat
You might fancy yourself an outdoors explorer but you probably don't hold a candle to this adventurous Bengal cat, who has travelled hiked, canoed and crossed a dozen countries, roaming the wilderness alongside her rescue pup pal, Killua. With her striking, leopard-patterned coat, Suki makes a beautiful photography subject – her gleaming gold, black and brown coat looks gorgeous against the blue and green hues of the great outdoors. She has garnered 1.6 million followers so far and looks set to keep travelling for years to come. Sadly, Killua died recently after a short illness, so Suki has lost her canine companion.
4. Lil BUB
A tiny, polydactyl perma-kitten born with genetic anomalies, Lil BUB became a global icon for special-needs pets. Born the runt of the litter, she went on to become the star of a documentary, a talk show, a book and a fund for pets with disabilities. She died in her sleep in 2019, aged eight, but continues to brighten people's day with her adorable images.
5. Maru
Maru, the fluffy male Scottish Straight cat from Japan, was famous for his obsession with squeezing into boxes – no matter how tiny. His YouTube videos of him contorting into containers have hundreds of millions of views, earning him the Guinness World Record for the most watched animal on YouTube. The name 'Maru' means round, and his round face and unusual antics endeared him to viewers. He died in 2025, aged 18.
6. Nimbus
Nimbus has the zoomies. At night, he runs and runs – and fans can't get enough of it. This wildly lively Siberian cat has 2.8 million followers avidly watching his antics, which include sprinting at speed down hallways, ricocheting off walls and moving erratically and unpredictably. This is all accompanied by his extraordinary soundtrack of "Purrari" revving growls and vocal chirps.
7. Merv the Cat
Merv is a sassy, talking Siamese rescue who sounds basically like a tiny, dramatic human. With over 2.4 million followers on TikTok and more than one million on Instagram, she’s famous for her 'words' like 'Bagagwa', dramatic bath refusals and constant commentary on her crush Charles the gardener, whom she watches from the window all day.
Once an abandoned stray, Merv went from surviving the streets to becoming a global icon, merchandise line and the face of a charitable memecoin that supports animal shelters. If you’ve never seen a cat argue with a bath, Merv’s channel is your new obsession.
8. Stepan
Stepan the Ukrainian cat went from rescued Kharkiv kitten to global internet star, famous for his “home alone” videos with a wine glass, pizza and Stevie Wonder crooning in the background. When Russia’s 2022 invasion hit, he and his owner Anna sheltered in a basement, then endured a 20‑hour train ride and a nine‑hour border queue to reach safety in France. Rather than retire, Stepan turned his 1.5M‑strong platform into a lifeline, raising thousands for Ukrainian animal shelters and later welcoming a look‑alike companion, Stephania. Now back in Kharkiv, he remains Ukraine’s most beloved feline ambassador: a cat who survived shelling, stole the internet and made resilience look effortlessly stylish.
9. Hamilton the Hipster Cat
With a beautifully groomed handlebar moustache and hipster swagger, Hamilton is the cat that makes it look like animals are much cooler than us. His Salvador Dali-esque white tache and green eyes make him extremely photogenic, and he has appeared in major magazines and posts outfits that make fashion bloggers nervous.
