In today’s era of highly developed social media, various interesting and novel internet trends keep emerging. “Cat Tax” is one of them.
This trend has become a warm and cheerful wave, quickly spreading through the online world, allowing netizens from both China and the United States to establish a unique connection through their adorable cats.
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Where Did the "Cat Tax" Come From
The “Cat Tax” meme originated in early 2025 when the U.S. Supreme Court announced it would reconsider the bill that would ban TikTok from operating in the United States.
This news caused great concern among U.S. TikTok users, who began looking for alternative social platforms. Rednote, with its rich and diverse content, friendly and active community atmosphere, and a community model similar to Instagram, attracted a lot of these American users. As a result, they flocked to rednote.
These American users, calling themselves “TikTok refugees,” often posted their first rednote post with a picture of their cat, using it as a unique way to communicate with Chinese netizens.
Some would add enthusiastic captions like, “Hi, Chinese friends, here’s my cat, showing you guys!” This quickly sparked a warm response from Chinese users, who began sharing pictures of their own cats, almost as if responding to a friendly “summons.”
This exchange of cat photos between both sides became humorously referred to as “paying the cat tax.”
How Does the "Cat Tax" Work and Spread
On rednote, the form of “Cat Tax” varies in many ways.
The most common is posting cat photos or videos. Cat owners eagerly share their cats’ cutest moments, and these posts are immediately met with an outpouring of likes and comments. Sharing funny cat stories is also considered part of the “cat tax.”
For example, an American user might post a picture of their cat being mischievous, captioned as “The little demon who dismantles the house every day,” while a Chinese user might respond with, “Same kind of little ancestor, my cat is also the head of the demolition team.” Some users even show off their cats’ unique “skills,” like shaking paws or playing dead, which instantly makes the comment section lively.
As the trend exploded in popularity, various new and creative spin-offs continued to emerge.
Some businesses introduced a “Cat Tax Calculator,” humorously calculating the “taxes” an owner must pay based on the level of destruction their cat causes, like scratching the sofa or knocking things over. There even emerged a phrase, “Paying tax for cloud cat petting,” meaning that even if you don’t own a cat, if you’re drawn into watching cat videos online, you’re still “paying tax” because the cuteness of the cats has captured your attention.
What Impact Does the "Cat Tax" Have
The “Cat Tax” phenomenon is not just a simple social interaction; it’s a successful example of “cat diplomacy.”
Through the common love for cats, it has bridged national and cultural differences, allowing netizens from China and the U.S. to find resonance through shared interests.
Cats, as a globally recognized “social currency,” have earned the love of countless people with their innocent, adorable image, becoming a bridge between different cultures. Through “paying the cat tax,” netizens from China and the U.S. have built connections in a lighthearted and enjoyable atmosphere, strengthening mutual understanding and friendship.
At the same time, the popularity of “Cat Tax” highlights the significant role social media plays in promoting cross-cultural exchange.
Rednote, as a global social platform, provides users from different countries and regions a stage to showcase themselves and share their lives. Here, people can put aside regional and cultural limitations and accept others with a more open and inclusive attitude. This social interaction based on common interests not only brings fun and satisfaction to users but also offers valuable insights for future cross-cultural communication.
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