Huh Cat Meme: The Confused Feline Taking Over the Internet

About the Huh Cat Meme

The Huh Cat Meme, also known as the confused cat meme, is a widely recognized internet phenomenon featuring a video clip of a bewildered-looking cat. This feline, with its wide eyes and adorably perplexed expression accompanied by a questioning “huh?” sound, perfectly encapsulates the feeling of confusion and bewilderment in countless online scenarios. Originating on TikTok in early 2023, the meme quickly transcended platforms, becoming a versatile reaction and an essential part of internet vocabulary, frequently used in object-labeling memes to depict moments of disorientation or being utterly lost.

Close-up of Ben Cat, the Huh Cat meme, looking confused with wide eyes and open mouth

The Origin of the Confused “Huh?” Cat

The star of this meme is Ben Cat, a charmingly chubby feline owned by TikTok user @planetvenus500. This pet parent regularly shares glimpses into Ben Cat’s life, but it was a specific video, initially posted in September 2021 and then reposted on February 12th, 2023, that launched Ben Cat into meme stardom. In the original video, Ben Cat can be heard meowing, seemingly demanding food. This endearing clip quickly gained traction, amassing over 2 million views and 332,000 likes within just two months, showcasing Ben’s inherent appeal.

The meme’s initial sparks ignited within the Russian TikTok community. As early as September 24th, 2021, TikTok user @aromobar utilized the video, adding text overlays to amplify the cat’s already expressive face, perfectly matching the bewildered expression with relatable scenarios. This early meme iteration (shown below, left) garnered over 2.4 million views and 80,000 likes in two years, demonstrating the meme’s nascent appeal. Following suit, on October 3rd, 2021, TikTok user @planeta_belki further propelled the meme’s early adoption by using Ben Cat’s meowing video as a reaction clip (shown below, right). This reaction video resonated even further, accumulating over 3 million views and 231,000 likes in two years, solidifying the video’s potential for widespread meme usage.

The Viral Spread of the Huh Cat Meme

The “Huh?” sound that became synonymous with the meme was introduced on December 8th, 2022, by TikTok creator @21pamix. By cleverly adding the “huh?” sound effect to Ben Cat’s meow, @21pamix unlocked the meme’s true potential. This video (shown below, left) garnered approximately 135,000 views and 5,000 likes within a year, indicating a growing appreciation for this specific sound and visual pairing.

However, the meme truly exploded into viral fame on May 11th, 2023, when TikTok user @nyc.jav3 posted a new iteration featuring the “huh?” sound. This video (shown below, right) catapulted the meme into mainstream internet culture, amassing over 1.7 million views and 135,000 likes in just six months. This moment marked the “Huh Cat meme” as a definitive and recognizable meme format, ready for widespread adoption and adaptation across the internet.

Related Memes: Rambling Goat and Huh Cat

The Huh Cat meme frequently appears in conjunction with other memes, demonstrating its versatility and relatable nature. One notable example is the Rambling Goat and Huh Cat meme, which combines the confused cat with a video of a goat making nonsensical noises. This pairing, used in object-labeling memes, effectively illustrates situations of utter confusion and miscommunication.

A popular example of this combination was posted by TikTok user @takutyan_ut on October 7th, 2023. The video humorously depicts a Japanese person’s first experience in London, struggling to understand spoken English. The “rambling goat” represents the incomprehensible English, while the “Huh Cat” embodies the listener’s confused reaction. This relatable scenario resonated widely, garnering over 2 million views and 298,000 likes within a single week, showcasing the powerful comedic effect of combining these two memes.

Various Examples of the Huh Cat Meme in Use

The Huh Cat meme’s adaptability is evident in its wide range of applications. From expressing confusion in reaction videos to serving as the punchline in comedic skits, the meme’s simple yet effective visual and auditory cues make it incredibly versatile.

Online, you can find the Huh Cat meme used in countless contexts:

Reaction to unexpected or bizarre news: The “Huh Cat” perfectly captures the feeling of disbelief and confusion when encountering strange or nonsensical information online.
Depicting internal confusion: Many use the meme to represent their own inner turmoil or lack of understanding in complex situations.
Humorous misunderstandings: The meme is ideal for illustrating moments of miscommunication or when someone completely misses the point.
Object-labeling scenarios: As seen with the “Rambling Goat” meme, the “Huh Cat” is frequently used to label the confused party in various relatable scenarios.

The meme’s widespread usage across diverse platforms and contexts solidifies its place as a staple in internet communication, effectively conveying confusion and bewilderment in a universally understood and humorous way.