Cats don’t typically show the same range of facial expressions as dogs and humans. But if you are a feline parent, you may just catch them with a look that says, “What have I gotten myself into?”
If that last statement confused you, check out these photos from the This Is My Life Meow subreddit. Punny names aside, this online group of 519,000 members collects snapshots of cats with their resting annoyed faces. Some of these furry pets even look straight into the camera, adding more adorable hilarity.
This list includes our top picks, which can hopefully give you some positive energy today.
#1 Framing Our Best Picture
Image credits: Handro
#2 I Think Your Cat Melted
Image credits: ForeverAlarmed1056
#3 Look At The Drawing They Got 😍
Image credits: mrbirdfucker
Generally, cats have an expressionless look on their faces, regardless of whether they’re hungry or happy to see you. However, there are nearly 300 facial expressions humans likely don’t see. According to a 2023 study published in Behavioural Processes, there are 276 to be exact.
#4 My Friend’s Cat Is A Bit Too Spicy For The Vet. She Gets The Space Helmet With Every Visit Meow
Image credits: squigglydoodle
#5 Hooman, Why You Do Dis?
Image credits: imgur.com
#6 Cromch The Crardbroard
Image credits: jerkstabworthy
The study included 194 minutes of videos of cats' facial expressions while communicating with fellow felines. These expressions revealed 26 unique facial movements, such as parted lips, dilated pupils, jaw drops, half-blinks, nose licks, and retracted whiskers.
For context, humans have 44 unique facial movements, while dogs have 27. Chimpanzees, so far, have the most facial expressions with 357.
#7 O.o
Image credits: yttikat
#8 Bru I Think Ima Let Him Out
Image credits: Puhalet
#9 My Friend’s Cat Sat Like This All On His Own Meow
Image credits: Uminx
University of Kansas medical student Lauren Scott and evolutionary psychologist Brittany Florkiewicz conducted the study. During their research, they broke down a cat’s expression into three categories: distinctly friendly (45% of the time), distinctly aggressive (37% of the time), and ambiguous (18%).
#10 Pick Yours Up
Image credits: Puhalet
#11 Elders & Cats 💚💚
Image credits: Me_ADC_Me_SMASH
#12 This Is Not My Picture, But If The Phrase "The Audacity " Had A Face, I Think It Would Be This
Image credits: vaderismylord
In an interview with Modern Cat, Florkiewicz explained that a cat’s facial expressions have evolved over time. Domesticated cats, in particular, have become more tolerant towards everyone around them, whether with humans or fellow cats. As a result, they’ve developed friendlier expressions.
“They’re using facial expressions to navigate social interactions,” Florkiewicz stated.
#13 No, Hooman, Your Hand Is Mine
Image credits: imgur.com
#14 Mobile Check Deposit Background
Image credits: toriaces
#15 Meow_irl
Image credits: imgur.com
For all of you cat parents out there, have you noticed your beloved pets in these nonchalant, seemingly irked facial expressions? If you have photos of them, share them in the comments section below!
#16 Psbattle: This Little Guy And His Noble Steed
Image credits: 17_snails
#17 C U D D L E
Image credits: Xenc
#18 I Put A Heating Pad On My Face To Treat A Migraine
Image credits: Kayceegirlie
#19 Went To My Local Humane Society To Adopt And This Happened. He Fell Asleep On My Leg. Guess I'm Stuck Here Forever. My Family Said They'd Bring Me Food And Water So I Don't Die
Image credits: dio-tds
#20 Bru, I Think Ima Let Him Out
Image credits: Puhalet
#21 I Guess I'm 80% Floof
Image credits: killerbunnyfamily
#22 When The Catnip Hits
Image credits: LittleDank
#23 Act Like A Baby, Get Treated Like A Baby
Image credits: Beneficial_Exchange6
#24 Decided To Weigh Our Cat, He Was Not Amused
Image credits: jolipolio
#25 Cat Eats All The Carrots - Loses Its Eyesight And Eyes
Image credits: DJ_DeJesus
#26 “ I’m Skeptical Right Meow “
Image credits: yttikat
#27 Studies Show That 2 Out Of 3 Cats Have, At Some Stage, Been A Victim Of Non-Consensual Smothering
Image credits: Dr_Meemz
#28 “Well…at Least It’s Just Pillows.”
Image credits: mopeiobebeast
#29 Getting Caught Being Weirdo
Image credits: imgur.com
#30 Caught A Purfect Moment Of Mr. Wilson’s Sheer Determination
Image credits: PoleCatMrWilson
#31 No Regrets
Image credits: imgur.com
#32 Took My Pants Off To Weigh Myself & Looked Over To Find This
Image credits: mspeekie
#33 Meow Irl
Image credits: imgur.com
#34 Abandoned Kittens
Image credits: imgur.com
#35 Yup, He’s Done It
Image credits: Puhalet
#36 Not About That Human Nonsense
Image credits: bondbeansbond
#37 Awwwwww
Image credits: rohit_sai1289
#38 Seriously? Fine. I'll Sleep In The Cup
Image credits: rhythmicBeta
#39 There's Something Behind Me Right Meow, Isn't There?
Image credits: alonelyargonaut
#40 A Lil Help ?
Image credits: jasontaken
#41 This Is My Effin Life Meow
Image credits: yttikat
#42 When The Nip Is Too Strong
Image credits: burningmidnight
#43 A Little Help
Image credits: imgur.com
#44 Low-Res Cat
Image credits: illiput
#45 Not Tonight Honey
Image credits: imgur.com
#46 “Can I Join You For Online School” 🥺
Image credits: iiMxrxus
#47 Sometimes You Just Have To Accept That You Are Royalty
Image credits: EndersGame_Reviewer
#48 Hes Like Me Fr
Image credits: Beaver2006
#49 Move Along, Nothing To See Here!
Image credits: imgur.com
#50 Thinking About The Life Choices That LED Him To This Point
Image credits: mikenmar
#51 Avacato Or Guacameowle?
Image credits: handofgranite
#52 The Best Portrait
Image credits: Doktorskuller
#53 I'm A Plant Now
Image credits: Inciters
#54 Straight Outta Tom & Jerry
Image credits: imgur.com
#55 I Guess I Am A Painting Meow
Image credits: Sariel007
#56 Just Informed Them That There Will Be No Second Breakfast
Image credits: OrneryPiano92
#57 Heard Him Struggling And Turned Around To See Him Like This. He's Not The Brightest Little Bulb And Often Gets Himself Into Sticky Situations
Image credits: ITasteLikePurple
#58 Undecover Agent
Image credits: misterjazz
#59 I Guess I Am Art Meow
Image credits: Sariel007
#60 When The Humans Have Wine
Image credits: mmaireenehc
#61 Lord Baratheon, First Of His Name
Image credits: Sariel007
#62 "Look At Me. I'm The Sphinx Moew"
Image credits: reddit.com
#63 I Am Plant Meow
Image credits: swagy_swagerson
#64 When You Realize You've Lost The Battle Of Waterloo:
Image credits: grichardson526
#65 Look Like, They Want Me To Be Lion King Meow
Image credits: pluggynaruk
#66 Just Call Me Art
Image credits: Sariel007
#67 I Cannot Resist The Fate
Image credits: killerbunnyfamily
#68 This Is My Life Meow
Image credits: one-punch-knockout
#69 A Fabulous Hat For A Fabulous Cat
Image credits: imgur.com
#70 All Kitchen Visits Are Now Monitored And Require A Toll
Image credits: Growle
#71 Guess I’m Bread Now
Image credits: abuela4674pancake
#72 Once This Is Over, I'll Destroy You!
Image credits: imgur.com
#73 Kitty Works Hard For The Money
Image credits: ASU_Eve
#74 Lola Has Accepted Life With A 6 Year Old Human
Image credits: rachelmaryl
#75 Heard Her Crying In The Kitchen And This Is The Sorry Sight I Walk In On
Image credits: foxfunk
#76 May You All Be As Happy As This Cat
Image credits: imgur.com
#77 So My Mom Decided To Put My Baby Clothes On One Of The Cats.. I Think Quarantine Is Getting To Her
Image credits: fourdollaremo
#78 Hitcat Is The Master Of Disguise
Image credits: imgur.com
#79 I Forced My Grumpy Little Old Lady To Do A Photoshoot With Me. She Was Not Pleased
Image credits: imgur.com
#80 This Is Our Lives Meow
Image credits: yttikat
#81 Cowboy
Image credits: Historical-Sample-14
#82 Not Enough Lap Anymore
Image credits: Dubbola
#83 Her Life Meow That She Has A Baby Brother
Image credits: bagelsandkegels
#84 Was Worried About Leaving Larry At The Cat Hotel When I Went Away .. Looks Like He’s Settled In Nicely 😂
Image credits: irishgirlinwinnipeg
#85 So My Cat Does This Weird Thing In The Morning Sometimes
Image credits: HxCxReformer
#86 Did He Make The Sign?
Image credits: Puhalet
#87 "You Will Pay For This!"
Image credits: meister2a
#88 Taco Loves Going For Walks. She Often Falls Asleep While Running Errands
Image credits: iman_313
#89 Danger, Do Not Approach Subject
Image credits: XenoGamer27
#90 I Think He Thinks I Can't See Him
Image credits: Habarer
#91 Okay. Now What?
Image credits: Ryanwiz
#92 The Security Guy In Istanbul, Turkey
Image credits: Artteachernc
#93 My Friend Just Walked Into His Kitchen To This
Image credits: LockyP_
#94 Hooman, Please Don't Use Me For Violence
Image credits: Opening_Bag
#95 Utterly Wild
Image credits: bondbeansbond
#96 How About You Hike Me Back To The Shelter
Image credits: vpdots
#97 Look At The Little Kitty Teefums
Image credits: RaphaelRoberts
#98 Cute Purrito
Image credits: Xeeeena
#99 Got Home From Work To Find Lil Norman With His Head Stuck In The Lid To The Cat Food. That’s Not How It Works Buddy
Image credits: yourfavoritevegan
#100 I Guess I Love Her Now
Image credits: imgur.com
#101 They Will Sleep There From Now On
Image credits: ElGabriel2017
#102 I See My Life Is Now For The Amewsment Of The Internet
Image credits: imgur.com
#103 This Is His Life Meow
Image credits: otromundialista
#104 Time For Cuddles
Image credits: doggiesayswoof
#105 Poor Guy Just Accepted It
Image credits: azantisinc
#106 Plotting Revenge
Image credits: Kenwric
#107 A Glass Of Milk
Image credits: YellowTheFellow
#108 Poor Guy Had Surgery. Now Accepting The Consequences. Toast Of Shame
Image credits: RelaxEnjoyLife
#109 Loves To Snuggles
Image credits: pinkshift
#110 Tired, It Be Like That Sometimes
Image credits: spherodite
#111 Aw, Crap! Somebody Help
Image credits: burningmidnight
#112 I Want To Break Free
Image credits: The-Gr8-K8
#113 I Guess I Live Here Meow
Image credits: imgur.com
#114 Guess We’ll Have To Continue The Game Tomorrow
Image credits: videotape-2848
