Clapping Cat Meme
Clapping Cat (also called Black Cat Clapping) is an AI-generated meme from September 2026 in which a black cat with a human smile and human hands slowly claps after being fed; creators reuse it as a green-screen reaction to sarcastically applaud bad behavior. Here is the original clapping cat meme video, how it spread, and what it means.
Original clapping cat video
The original black cat clapping video was posted on Instagram by Aleksandr Kim (@merkurianin) on September 25, 2026. In it, the creator hands the black cat a treat; the cat takes it, breaks into a wide human smile and claps with human hands. According to Know Your Meme, the video gained over 2.5 million likes in just over a week.
Video: Aleksandr Kim (@merkurianin) on Instagram, shown with Instagram's official embed.
Clapping cat meme timeline
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2026 | Aleksandr Kim (@merkurianin) posts the original black cat clapping video on Instagram; it passes 2.5 million likes in just over a week. |
| Sep 28, 2026 | TikTok user @asian5767 turns it into a green-screen edit — over 3.8 million views in a week. |
| Sep 30, 2026 | @mis2027seniors posts an edit that passes 1.7 million views in five days. |
| Oct 1, 2026 | @yeltiktok posts an edit that passes 1.5 million views in four days. |
| Oct 5, 2026 | Know Your Meme adds its Black Cat Clapping entry (updated Oct 13). |
Source: Know Your Meme — Black Cat Clapping, checked October 15, 2026.
What the clapping cat meme means
The clapping cat meme is sarcastic applause. Know Your Meme describes it as representing someone applauding bad behavior. The usual format is a caption about something sneaky or not worth praising — skipping class, a friend's wrong answer, getting caught — followed by the black cat clapping as if it were a triumph.
Because the clip works as a green-screen reaction, creators drop the clapping cat into almost any scene, which is a big part of why the clapping cat meme spread so quickly on TikTok.
Is the clapping cat AI or real?
The clapping cat is AI-generated. Know Your Meme's entry states that the cat is AI-generated and has a human smile and hands. The creator's own cat appears to be the starting point, with the smile and hands added by AI — which is why the meme looks almost real and slightly unsettling at the same time.
How to make your own clapping cat video
You don't need editing skills to make a clapping cat video with your own pet. Upload one photo of you and one of your cat to our clapping cat video generator, and you get an 8-second, 9:16 clip of your pet smiling and clapping next to you.
FAQ
Who made the clapping cat meme?
The original video was posted by Aleksandr Kim on Instagram as @merkurianin on September 25, 2026.
Is the clapping cat real?
No. The cat's human smile and human hands are AI-generated, according to Know Your Meme.
What does the clapping cat meme mean?
It's sarcastic applause — used to represent someone applauding bad behavior.
Where can I get a clapping cat green screen?
Green-screen versions spread on TikTok from September 28, 2026. We're preparing free clapping cat GIFs and a green screen clip; meanwhile you can make one with your own cat on our generator.
Can I make a clapping cat video with my own cat?
Yes. Our clapping cat video generator puts your own cat into the meme from two photos.