If your social media feed has been flooded with videos of cats staring intensely at screens lately, you’re not alone. The latest viral trend features pets reacting to what internet users call the “Oiiai cat” or “oo ee aa cat” – and their responses range from utterly fascinated to hilariously outraged.
The “Oiiai cat” (also known as “oo ee aa cat”) has become a viral sensation on TikTok, creating what users call a ‘cat brainrot’ video phenomenon. What makes this video particularly fascinating is how cats respond to it – they crowd around screens displaying the video with a range of reactions from curiosity to annoyance, and some even with rage. But where did this trend come from, and who is the cat behind it all?
Origins of the Meme
The story begins on April 12th, 2023, when a user on Bilibili (think Chinese YouTube) uploaded a remix of the Oo Ee A E A sound effect with an edit of a spinning cat. This original video proved incredibly popular, gathering more than 12 million views in just five months.
The video then made its way to YouTube when user Sillius The Third reposted it on May 14th, 2023, where it accumulated more than 251,000 views in four months.
The real explosion in popularity came when it reached TikTok. While the exact first TikTok post is unclear, a green screen version posted by user @gbaffect has become the most viewed iteration, amassing 15.8 million views. The trend took off as pet owners began recording and sharing their cats’ reactions to the video, with some creative users even producing dubstep remixes of the original sound.
Who is the Oiiai Cat?
Behind this viral sensation is a cat named Ethel, whose story was revealed in a video by user @imalittlemole. Ethel’s journey is particularly touching – she was adopted from a cat shelter in 2018 when she was 7 years old. At the time of her adoption, she was an overweight, blind munchkin cat in need of a loving home.
Thanks to proper care and love, Ethel’s health improved significantly. Today, at 13 years old, she remains active and playful, having transformed from a struggling shelter cat into an internet celebrity.
Conclusion
From a simple video of Ethel, a rescued blind munchkin cat, emerged one of TikTok’s most engaging pet trends. The meme’s success lies in its simplicity and the genuine, often hilarious reactions it provokes from cats. It shows how even the smallest moments can become global internet phenomena.
Watch the video HERE!