What Is the Kung Fu Cat Trend? Where the Tissue-Chopping Cat Came From
October 25, 2026
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The Kung Fu Cat trend is an October 2026 TikTok wave where a cat sits upright in its owner’s arms, blocks and strikes with its front paws, then chops a paper tissue in half with a dead serious face. It grew out of a summer trend in which dogs paw-chopped toilet paper, and AI versions that put your own pet in the clip followed within days.
Key takeaways
- A cat held upright blocks, kicks and chops a paper tissue.
- The cat version took off with a reel posted on 19 October 2026.
- It started with dogs chopping toilet paper in summer 2026.
- Want your own pet in it? See how to make a Kung Fu Cat AI video.
What is the Kung Fu Cat trend?
It is a short, deadpan comedy clip. One person holds a cat upright, belly to the camera, and moves its front paws in quick blocks and strikes. A second person holds a paper tissue in front of it. A hind paw kicks up, a front paw chops down and the tissue tears in half. The cat’s calm stare between the chops is the joke.
Did the trend start with dogs?
Yes. In summer 2026 owners held a strip of toilet paper in front of a dog and the dog paw-chopped it in half. A golden retriever in a white headband, posted by @rydersgolden on 29 July 2026, passed 2.79 million views.
When did the cat version take off?
- 19 October 2026: @lynn59716 posts an orange cat on its owner’s lap that blocks, strikes and chops two tissues. It reached about 9.2 million views by 24 October.
- 20 October: a fluffy cat by @chinatok691 follows.
- 21 October: a ragdoll by @iampidan joins in.
- 22 October: the first AI versions appear.
View counts are as reported on TikTok at the time.
Is the kung fu cat real or AI?
The big reels are real cats with a human moving their paws. The AI versions are made from a photo, so the cat on screen can be your own. If you post one, keep the platform’s AI label on.
How can you make one?
Follow the step-by-step guide, check the best-photo rules and see which song and hashtags to use. Or go straight to the Kung Fu Cat AI video generator and upload one photo.
This guide is an independent explainer and is not affiliated with the creators of the original reels or any social platform.
FAQ
What is the kung fu cat trend?
A TikTok trend from October 2026: an owner holds a cat upright and works its front paws like a martial artist while someone holds a paper tissue in front of it. The cat chops, the tissue tears.
Who posted the original kung fu cat video?
The reel that made it big was posted by @lynn59716 on 19 October 2026 with an orange cat, and reached about 9.2 million views by 24 October.
Did the trend start with dogs?
Yes. In summer 2026 owners held toilet paper in front of dogs that paw-chopped it, such as the golden retriever reel by @rydersgolden on 29 July 2026.
Is the kung fu cat real or AI?
The big reels show real cats with the owner moving the paws. AI versions started on 22 October 2026.
What else is it called?
People also search for kung fu kitty, kung fu kitten meme, cat shifu and the kung fu cat tissue challenge.
Can I make one with my own pet?
Yes. Upload one clear photo of your cat or dog to the Kung Fu Cat AI video generator and it builds the clip.