The Crying Cat meme, also known as Sad Cat or Schmuserkadser, is one of the internet’s most recognizable reaction memes. It features images of cats edited with teary, glassy eyes to make them look emotionally distressed, often paired with captions expressing sadness, awkwardness, or ironic humor.
What Is the Crying Cat Meme?
The Crying Cat meme refers to a collection of photoshopped cat images where the animal appears to be crying. These images are typically used as reaction memes to express emotions like disappointment, helplessness, or quiet suffering.
Unlike traditional memes that rely heavily on text, Crying Cat works visually—its humor comes from the contrast between a cute animal and exaggerated human-like sadness.
Origin of the Meme
The earliest known version of the Crying Cat meme dates back to June 11, 2014, when an anonymous user uploaded it to a meme generator site.
- It was created by editing the “Serious Cat” meme image
- The cat’s eyes were replaced with a tearful kitten face
- The result: a strangely emotional and slightly absurd expression
Over time, this simple edit became a widely reused template across forums like Reddit, 4chan, and social media platforms.
Why It Became Popular
The success of Crying Cat comes down to a few key factors:
- Relatable emotion: sadness, disappointment, or “silent suffering”
- Absurd humor: a crying cat feels unexpected and funny
- Versatility: works with or without captions
- Reaction-friendly format: easy to use in conversations
The meme often feels “out of context,” which adds to its comedic effect.
Also Read: Eric Andre Let Me In Meme Origin and Meaning
| Info | Details |
|---|---|
| Meme Name | Crying Cat (Sad Cat / Schmuserkadser) |
| Type | Reaction Meme |
| Origin Date | June 11, 2014 |
| Original Source | Meme Generator (anonymous user) |
| Base Image | Edited version of “Serious Cat” |
| Main Feature | Photoshopped teary/glassy eyes |
| Purpose | Express sadness, irony, or emotional humor |
| Popular Variants | Classic Crying Cat, Thumbs Up Crying Cat |
| Platforms | Reddit, Twitter/X, Facebook, Meme Generators |
| Popularity | Widely used reaction meme with thousands of edits |
Popular Variations
- Classic Crying Cat: A white cat with teary eyes, Used for general sadness or awkward situations
- Thumbs Up Crying Cat: A crying cat giving a thumbs up, Represents forced acceptance or “I’m fine” energy
- Captioned Reaction Memes: Text added to highlight relatable situations, Example: failing exams, rejection, or awkward conversations
Also Read: Uh Oh, Stinky Meme Origin and Meaning Explained
Spread & Internet Culture Impact
After its creation, the meme quickly spread across:
- Meme generator platforms
- Reddit communities
- Social media (Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram)
Within a few years, thousands of variations were created, making it a staple reaction meme in internet culture.
It also influenced later meme formats, especially those combining emotional contrast with animals, similar to trends seen in other cat memes.
The meme first appeared around June 2014, when an edited version of a cat image with added tears was uploaded online.
It became popular because it combines cute visuals with exaggerated sadness, making it both funny and relatable. It’s widely used to react to awkward, emotional, or disappointing situations.
No, the tears are digitally edited onto the cat’s face. The original image is of a normal cat without emotional effects.
