“What’s Wrong With Your Cat?”: 50 “Faulty” Cats That Can’t Stop Glitching (New Pics)

If you’ve ever walked into your living room and found your cat sitting like a tired office worker, staring into the middle distance as if it just remembered it left the stove on in a past life, congratulations you own a “faulty” cat. And you’re definitely not alone.

The viral “What’s Wrong With Your Cat?” trend, featured in multiple Bored Panda collections, celebrates these bizarre, glitchy cats that look like they’re running on outdated software and questionable physics. Felines are supposed to be sleek, elegant hunters. Instead, the internet has receipts of cats melting off couches, folding themselves into geometric shapes, or staring at nothing with the intensity of a philosopher. It’s chaos. It’s hilarious. And it’s exactly why we’re obsessed with these “malfunctioning” fluffballs.

In this deep dive into 50 “faulty” cats that can’t stop glitching, we’ll explore where this trend came from, why cats behave this way, how to tell when it’s just quirky feline programming versus a real health concern, and why this weirdness is exactly what makes them so lovable.

The Internet’s Favorite Question: “What’s Wrong With Your Cat?”

The phrase “What’s wrong with your cat?” started as a simple, exasperated question from confused owners and quickly evolved into an entire internet aesthetic. Online groups, meme pages, and subreddits like r/WhatsWrongWithYourCat collect photos of cats who seem to have rejected basic instructions on How To Cat. These images are so popular that Bored Panda has built multiple viral galleries around them, showcasing “faulty” cats that look like they’ve frozen, glitched, or soft-crashed in real life.

In the Bored Panda photo series, you’ll see everything from cats with their legs sticking perfectly straight out like little broomsticks to floofy goblins squinting into the camera with an expression that says, “I am both confused and in charge.” These photo collections pull heavily from user submissions and memes shared across social platforms, turning everyday pet owners into proud archivists of feline weirdness.

At this point, “What’s wrong with your cat?” is not an insult it’s a badge of honor. If your cat looks like a minor glitch in the simulation, you don’t worry. You post it.

Meet the “Faulty” Cats That Can’t Stop Glitching

So what kind of behavior earns a cat a spot in one of these “faulty” compilations? Let’s break down some of the classic categories of glitchy cats that show up again and again in viral galleries.

Cats That Forgot How to Sit

One of the most iconic “what’s wrong with your cat” poses is the full-on human sit. The cat is planted on its backside, back legs sprawled, front paws resting on its belly like it’s about to complain about taxes or ask where the remote is. Viral galleries and humor sites are packed with these photos of cats who look less like predators and more like exhausted roommates.

Other “broken sitting” examples include:

• The “side flop sit,” where the cat appears to start sitting and then gives up halfway.
• The “teapot,” with the back end parked and the front half twisted at a baffling angle.
• The “invisible chair,” where the cat hovers awkwardly like it’s waiting for a chair to render in.

Most of the time, these positions are simply cats taking advantage of their flexible spines. However, if a “weird sit” shows up suddenly along with limping, stiffness, or reluctance to move, that’s a good cue to check in with your vet.

Gravity? Never Heard of It

Another fan favorite: cats who appear to violate basic physics. In Bored Panda’s glitchy cat collections, you’ll see felines draped over furniture like spilled pudding, dangling halfway out of shelves, or wedged into spaces that should be mathematically impossible.

Some greatest hits from these galleries include:

• Cats hanging with both front legs straight down like a furry sloth.
• Cats compressed into glass bowls or vases, looking like fluffy water balloons.
• Cats squeezed into cardboard boxes at least one size too small because if they fits, they sits, even if they very clearly does not fits.

These “gravity glitches” highlight cats’ love of tight spaces and elevated vantage points. They feel safer when they’re tucked in, squeezed in, or perched somewhere high. To us it looks ridiculous. To them, it’s perfect engineering.

Those Ears Are Clearly in Airplane Mode

If you’ve ever seen your cat flatten its ears sideways so they stick out like tiny wings, you’ve seen “airplane ears.” Pet behavior experts describe this position as a sign that your cat is uncomfortable, on edge, or unsure about what’s happening. It’s not actually a malfunction it’s a warning signal built into the firmware.

In glitchy cat galleries, airplane ears often show up alongside hilariously unimpressed facial expressions. The cat is usually staring at something off-screen as if deciding whether to tolerate it or launch a formal complaint. The contrast between the serious body language and the goofy pose makes for perfect meme material.

If your cat wears airplane ears briefly during playtime or when someone new walks in, it’s usually normal. But if the ears stay pinned, especially with other stress signs like hiding, hissing, or dilated pupils, that “funny” photo may actually be capturing genuine anxiety that’s worth addressing.

Midnight Zoomies and Surprise Software Updates

Of course, no discussion of glitching cats is complete without the legendary zoomies those moments when your cat goes from “peacefully napping” to “parkour world champion” in 0.5 seconds. Veterinary sources describe these bursts as frenetic random activity periods (FRAPs), and they’re common in healthy cats of all ages.

In Bored Panda-style collections, zoomies show up as blurred streaks of fur, cats mid-leap with wild eyes, or felines frozen mid-sprint like someone hit pause. They often happen at dawn or in the middle of the night, which is extremely on-brand for creatures who still think they’re nighttime hunters.

Most zoomies are harmless and hilarious. However, if your cat’s frantic running comes with panicked posture, wide eyes, or crashing into things, it might be reacting to anxiety rather than play. In that case, it’s worth looking at environmental stressors loud noises, new pets, or changes in routine and checking with a vet if the behavior seems excessive.

Is Something Actually Wrong or Is Your Cat Just… a Cat?

The big question behind all these photos is hidden in the title: is there actually something wrong with these cats, or are they just built this way? The answer is usually comforting: most “faulty” cats are perfectly healthy. They just have flexible bodies, big personalities, and zero interest in human expectations.

Normal Quirks That Look Like Glitches

Many infamous “glitch” poses are completely normal feline behavior, even if they look bizarre to us:

• Loaf position: When a cat tucks its paws under its body like a little bread loaf, it’s often relaxed and conserving body heat. It usually signals contentment and a willingness to chill nearby.
• Upside-down naps: Cats that sleep belly-up with legs in the air are showing trust. That exposed belly is a vulnerable area, so this is the opposite of “something is wrong” it’s “I feel very safe here.”
• Weird perches: Perching on narrow ledges, chair backs, or TV stands can look absurd, but it gives cats a vantage point to scan their territory. Think “tiny home security guard with claws.”
• Zoomies and sudden sprints: FRAPs help cats burn off energy and instinctively “practice” hunting and escaping. It’s their built-in workout program.

In other words, most of the cats in these “faulty” compilations are not broken at all. They’re just maximizing the full range of motion Mother Nature gave them.

When Weird Behavior Is a Red Flag

That said, not every strange pose belongs in a meme. Sometimes a “funny” position can be your cat’s way of compensating for pain or discomfort. A few signs that your cat’s glitch might be more than a quirk include:

• Sudden changes in posture, especially if combined with limping or stiffness.
• Constant loafing with a tense body, dilated pupils, or reluctance to be touched.
• Persistent airplane ears paired with hiding, growling, or changes in appetite.
• Excessive zoomies that look frantic, clumsy, or panic-driven instead of playful.

If you see any of these patterns, it’s worth pausing the memes and booking a vet visit. Your cat might be dealing with joint pain, digestive discomfort, or stress and anxiety. The photo may still be funny, but your priority is always your pet’s health and comfort.

Why Glitchy Cats Rule the Internet

So why are we so obsessed with these photos of cats that look like corrupted game characters?

First, they’re relatable. A cat zoned out on the floor with a thousand-yard stare captures perfectly how it feels to be overwhelmed, tired, or done with the day. When people caption these images with human-style thoughts “system reboot required,” “buffering,” or “existential crisis in progress” they tap into shared feelings and turn them into something lighthearted.

Second, glitchy cats give us a safe, silly way to talk about imperfection. These animals are adored, cuddled, photographed, and posted all over the internet not in spite of their weirdness, but because of it. Their so-called “faults” are what make them iconic. That’s a surprisingly wholesome message in meme form: you don’t have to be perfect to be completely lovable.

And finally, there’s a simple reason: cats are just incredibly meme-able. Their dramatic faces, flexible bodies, and tendency to flip from majestic to ridiculous in one second flat make them ideal stars for viral content. The “What’s Wrong With Your Cat?” galleries are just one chapter in a long, glorious history of cat memes that started back with early LOLcats and continues through every new batch of baffling photos.

Real-Life Experiences With “Glitching” Cats

You don’t need a professional photographer or a viral feature to experience cat glitches firsthand. Everyday cat parents all over the world are quietly collecting their own mental gallery of “what is my cat doing?” moments. Here’s what life with a glitch-prone feline often looks like.

Imagine you’re working from home. Your cat has been peacefully asleep on the windowsill for an hour, perfectly normal, perfectly calm. Then, without warning, it launches straight up, zooms down the hallway, runs up the back of the couch like it’s in an action movie, and skids across the kitchen floor. You stand there, holding your coffee, wondering whether your pet just downloaded a chaotic update.

Later, you find that same cat sitting upright on the sofa, legs apart, belly on full display, paws resting on its middle like a very small, furry person who just finished Thanksgiving dinner. The expression? Somewhere between “don’t ask” and “I regret everything.” You take a picture, of course. That’s how it starts.

Many owners describe a “default glitch time” often late at night or early in the morning. The house is quiet, the lights are low, and suddenly there’s a thump from the other room followed by a streak of fur darting past the doorway. Some cats vocalize while they zoom, making chirps and yowls like a tiny sports car revving up. Others sprint in complete silence, appearing and disappearing like shadowy ghosts.

Then there are the infamous “loading screen” stares. Your cat sits in the middle of the room, body perfectly still, eyes locked on something invisible. You wave your hand in front of its face. Nothing. You call its name. Nothing. For a few seconds, it truly looks like someone pressed pause on your pet. Then, as if a buffer bar reached 100%, it suddenly snaps back into motion, flicks its tail, and strolls away like nothing happened.

Owners who share their photos online often talk about how these moments make their bond with their cats even stronger. They laugh when their cats squeeze into absurd hiding spots under rugs, inside grocery bags, or halfway into a sneaker. They gently reposition their pets when they’re twisted in sleep positions that look absolutely illegal for a spine. They learn to distinguish between the “I’m weird but fine” loaf and the “I’m not feeling well” loaf, between play zoomies and stress zoomies.

There’s also a sense of community that comes with posting a glitchy cat photo. When you upload your latest “broken cat” image to a meme page or group, strangers from around the world jump in to share their own: cats upside down on staircases, cats staring at bugs only they can see, cats sitting directly on laptop keyboards as if they’ve been hired to delete your work. Jokes fly, captions are added, and suddenly your one strange moment turns into shared joy.

And in quieter moments, these “faulty” cats are often the same ones who curl up purring against your chest, blink at you slowly from across the room, or follow you from room to room like loyal, fluffy shadows. Their glitches don’t make them less lovable they make them more real. Living with a cat that occasionally behaves like a broken NPC in a video game is part of the charm. You get jump-scare zoomies, cursed sitting positions, and bizarre stares… along with companionship, comfort, and a lot of heart.

In the end, every cat owner has at least one story that could easily fit into a Bored Panda “What’s Wrong With Your Cat?” gallery. It might be the time your cat fell asleep inside an empty pizza box, or the moment it tried to squeeze all twelve pounds of itself into a shoe. Those stories become part of your personal highlight reel proof that your furry friend is gloriously, hilariously unique.

Final Thoughts: Love Your Cat, Glitches and All

The “What’s Wrong With Your Cat?” collections highlight something every cat parent eventually learns: cats are little weirdos, and that’s exactly why we adore them. Their so-called “faults” the awkward sits, the gravity-defying naps, the glitchy zoomies aren’t signs that they’re broken. Most of the time, they’re signs that they feel comfortable enough in your home to truly be themselves.

As long as you’re keeping an eye out for real health issues and checking in with your vet when something feels off, you can relax and enjoy the show. Take the pictures. Share the memes. Laugh at the weird poses. Because one day you’ll look back at those “faulty” cat photos and realize they captured not just a funny moment, but a little piece of your life with a very special furry roommate.