Cat Eating Then Looking Up is a reaction GIF and video meme showing a stray cat eating food on a livestream, then pausing to look up and stare directly into the camera with an almost knowing expression. The footage comes from Hello Street Cat, a Chinese app launched in April 2023 that livestreams stray cats at feeding stations where viewers can donate to dispense food1. The cat's deadpan stare after being "caught" eating struck a chord with viewers, who found the moment both funny and oddly relatable.

The meme is typically used as a reaction image to convey feelings of being caught in the act, sudden realization, or awkward acknowledgment. The format works because the cat's expression shifts from focused eating to direct eye contact, creating a comedic beat that fits countless situations2. The video spawned fan art, redraws, and edits, with one particular orange cat from the streams, nicknamed Mr. Fresh, developing a dedicated following due to his expressive side-eye and picky eating habits1.

The Cat Eating Then Looking Up format typically involves placing the GIF or video in a context where someone is "caught" doing something. Common uses include: being caught snacking late at night, being called out while doing something embarrassing, or suddenly realizing you're being watched. The meme works best when the setup describes an action, and the cat's look-up serves as the punchline representing the moment of acknowledgment. Users often pair it with captions starting with "Me when..." or place the cat in edited scenes like opening refrigerators or being discovered in unexpected locations.