Every August 8, Google hides a paw print Easter egg on its search page to celebrate International Cat Day. Search “cat” or “International Cat Day,” tap the small orange paw icon, and watch animated cat paws take over your screen each with its own meow or purr.

Each August 8, millions of cat lovers search Google and stumble onto something delightful: a tiny paw print button that summons animated cats to stomp across their screen. It’s called a Google Easter egg a hidden interactive feature and it has become one of the most-shared moments on social media every International Cat Day.

What Is the Google International Cat Day Paw Print Easter Egg?

The Google International Cat Day Easter egg is a hidden interactive animation that appears in Google Search on or around August 8 each year. Clicking or tapping a small paw print icon causes animated cat arms to reach across the screen, leaving paw prints with unique meows and purrs from different cat breeds.

Google Easter eggs are unofficial, hidden surprises built into products not formal Doodles. The cat paw print Easter egg was first widely confirmed on August 8, 2022, though the feature was quietly updated in subsequent years. Unlike a standard Google Doodle (which replaces the logo on the homepage), the International Cat Day Easter egg lives within search results and requires you to find and activate it.

How to Trigger the Google Paw Print Easter Egg (Step by Step)

Open Google in any major browser, search “International Cat Day” or “cat,” then tap the small orange paw print icon that appears near the search bar. Cat paws will reach across your screen with each tap. Different breeds appear as you continue clicking, each making its own sound.

Follow these steps exactly:

1. Open Google in a browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge work best)
2. Type “International Cat Day” or simply cat into the search bar
3. Press search and wait for results to load fully
4. Look for the small orange paw print icon  it appears just below or beside the search bar
5. Tap or click the icon  a virtual cat arm reaches out across your screen
6. Keep tapping or clicking to summon more paws from different cat breeds
7. Listen  each breed makes a distinct meow or purr
8. Tap the  button at the bottom of the screen to clear all prints and start over

On mobile, try tapping rapidly across different parts of the screen for maximum paw coverage. Users on social media in 2022 suggested letting your real cat walk over the phone for an extra-chaotic effect.

Which Devices Show the Google Cat Easter Egg?

The Google International Cat Day Easter egg works on iOS (Safari, Chrome, Google app), Android (Chrome, Google app), and desktop browsers including Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge. Older browser versions and some regional Google search variants may not display the paw print icon.

Why Is the Google Paw Print Not Working? Troubleshooting Tips

If the Google International Cat Day paw print Easter egg isn’t appearing, the most common causes are checking on the wrong date, using an outdated browser, or searching with a term Google doesn’t recognize as the trigger. Try incognito mode, update your browser, or switch to “cat” as your search term.

Try these fixes in order:

• Check the date. The Easter egg typically activates on August 8. Google sometimes enables it a day early or keeps it live for a day after.
• Try a different search term. “Cat,” “International Cat Day,” and “neko” (Japanese for cat) have all been reported to work.
• Open incognito or private mode. Browser extensions and cached data can block interactive features.
• Update your browser. Google Easter eggs require modern rendering engines.
• Try a different browser. If Safari isn’t showing it, switch to Chrome.
• Check your region. Google sometimes rolls out Easter eggs to different countries at slightly different times. Users in the US and UK typically see it first.
• Disable ad blockers. Some ad-blocking extensions suppress interactive elements in search results.

What Is the History of Google’s International Cat Day Celebrations?

Google has marked International Cat Day on August 8 with its paw print Easter egg since at least 2022. The feature has evolved each year, with later versions introducing more distinct cat breed animations and clearer audio. Google’s cat-themed history also includes the Magic Cat Academy Halloween Doodle from 2016.

2022  The Paw Print Debuts

The orange paw print icon appeared in Google Search for the first time on August 8, 2022. Tapping it summoned animated cat arms that left sooty prints across the screen. The reaction on Twitter and Instagram was immediate, with thousands of users sharing screenshots.

2023  More Breeds, More Personality

The 2023 iteration expanded the variety of cat arms visible in the animation. Users reported noticing distinctly different paw shapes and fur colors across taps, suggesting more breed variety had been added to the pool.

2024  Crisper Audio and Smoother Animation

Observers noted that the 2024 version featured noticeably cleaner meow and purr sounds, with each animated arm feeling more fluid. The core mechanic remained the same: tap, paw, repeat.

2025  Animated Paw Dance

The 2025 Easter egg added subtle tail and leg movement to the reaching animation, making the paws feel more lively between clicks. The reset button (“×”) remained at the bottom of the screen.

2026  What to Expect

Google hasn’t announced anything official for August 8, 2026. Based on the pattern of incremental updates, expect the paw print icon to return with at least minor improvements to animation or sound. Bookmark this page  we’ll update it as soon as the 2026 Easter egg is confirmed.

Note on Google Doodles: Google has not replaced its homepage logo with a formal cat-themed Doodle specifically for International Cat Day. The paw print is an Easter egg within search results a separate and arguably more interactive format. Google’s Magic Cat Academy (October 2016) remains the company’s most famous cat-themed Doodle, though that was tied to Halloween, not International Cat Day.

What Are the International Cat Day Connect Word Answers?

The NYT Connections puzzle on August 8 does not always feature a cat-themed board, as puzzle topics rotate independently of holidays. However, if the August 8 Connections puzzle does include a cat-related category, common grouping themes include: cat breeds (Siamese, Ragdoll, Maine Coon, Tabby), cat sounds (purr, meow, hiss, chirp), famous fictional cats (Garfield, Tom, Cheshire, Salem), and cat behaviors (kneading, bunting, sprinting, stalking).

The New York Times Connections puzzle does not publish International Cat Day-specific answers in advance. The August 8, 2024, Connections puzzle was not cat-themed. We recommend bookmarking a Connections hints site and checking on the day if you’re looking for real-time answers.

For word games played on August 8, here are cat-related word clusters that frequently appear in themed puzzles:

International Cat Day Trivia: 10 Fast Facts

Test your knowledge before you share this with friends:

1. International Cat Day was founded in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
2. Custodianship transferred in 2020 to International Cat Care, a British non-profit operating since 1958.
3. The US has more domestic cats than any other country  approximately 74 million, according to World Population Review.
4. The US cat population hit 76.3 million in 2025, up from 73.8 million in 2024 (AVMA Pet Ownership Sourcebook).
5. Cat ownership in the US rose 23% between 2023 and 2025 (APPA 2025 Dog & Cat Report).
6. The Cat Fanciers’ Association recognizes 42 cat breeds; the International Cat Association recognizes 71.
7. The three most popular cat breeds worldwide are the Ragdoll, Maine Coon, and British Shorthair (Jagran Josh).
8. Japan has more than 300 cat cafés, more than any other country (Guinness World Records).
9. The most common cat coat worldwide is solid black, followed by solid white and tabby (PangoVet).
10. Houtong Cat Village in Taiwan is considered the city most dominated by cats anywhere on earth (Time Out).

What Cat-Themed Browser Games Can You Play on August 8?

On International Cat Day, you can play Google’s archived Magic Cat Academy Doodle, various cat-themed browser games on CrazyGames, and interactive Google Search features like the paw print Easter egg. These require no download and work on any modern browser.

is worth revisiting on cat day. Released as a Halloween Doodle in October 2016, it features Momo, a black cat who battles ghosts with a magic wand. Google made it playable year-round in its Doodle archive following a stay-at-home campaign in 2020. Search “Google Doodle Magic Cat Academy” to access it directly.

How Do You Share the Google Paw Print Easter Egg?

Once your screen is covered in paw prints, here’s how to maximize the moment:

• Screenshot on iPhone: Press the side button + volume up simultaneously
• Screenshot on Android: Press power + volume down simultaneously
• Screenshot on desktop: Use Cmd+Shift+4 (Mac) or Windows+Shift+S (Windows)
• Post with the hashtag #InternationalCatDay or #InternationalCatDay2026
• Tag friends who own cats and challenge them to cover the most screen space
• On TikTok, record your screen using the built-in screen recorder for a satisfying video

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Google paw print Easter egg appear every year on International Cat Day?

The Google International Cat Day paw print Easter egg has appeared every August 8 since it was first confirmed in 2022. While Google doesn’t officially announce it in advance, the feature has returned consistently, typically activating on August 8 and occasionally remaining live for a day on either side.

What year did Google start the International Cat Day Easter egg?

Google’s International Cat Day paw print Easter egg was first confirmed on August 8, 2022. Prior to that year, Google had not been documented running this specific interactive feature for International Cat Day, though the company had created cat-themed content for other occasions, such as the Magic Cat Academy Halloween Doodle in 2016.

Why can’t I see the paw print icon on my phone?

The most common reasons are searching on the wrong date, using an outdated browser version, or having a content-blocking extension active. Try searching “cat” or “International Cat Day” in Chrome on your phone, and disable any ad blockers or browser extensions before retrying.

Is the Google International Cat Day Easter egg available in all countries?

The Easter egg has been reported by users across the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Google sometimes rolls out regional features at slightly different times, so if you’re outside these markets, try searching on both August 7 and August 8, and also test using Google.com rather than a country-specific domain.

What cat breeds appear in the Google paw print animation?

Google has not officially documented which specific cat breeds are represented in the animation. Based on user observations, the paws vary in fur color, pattern, and size across clicks, suggesting multiple breeds are included in the rotation. The exact list has never been confirmed by Google.

How many cat breeds does Google’s International Cat Day animation include?

Google has not published this number. However, users tapping through the Easter egg have noted distinctly different paw appearances across sessions, suggesting the animation pools from at least several breed types. The Cat Fanciers’ Association recognizes 42 breeds globally; the International Cat Association recognizes 71.

What are the NYT Connections answers for August 8 (International Cat Day)?

The NYT Connections puzzle does not align its themes with International Cat Day. The August 8, 2024 puzzle was not cat-themed. Each year’s August 8 puzzle is different, and cat-related categories are not guaranteed. Check a real-time hints website on the day for accurate answers.

What is International Cat Day and who created it?

International Cat Day takes place every August 8. It was created in 2002 by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) to raise awareness about cats and promote their welfare. In 2020, custodianship of the day passed to International Cat Care, a British non-profit organization that has worked to improve domestic cat health and welfare since 1958.

How many cats are there in the world, and which country has the most?

Global cat population estimates exceed 600 million when including strays and feral cats. Among pet-owning countries, the United States leads with approximately 74 million domestic cats (World Population Review). The US cat population hit 76.3 million in 2025, according to the AVMA Pet Ownership and Demographics Sourcebook.

Is the Google Magic Cat Academy game the same as the International Cat Day Easter egg?

No. Google’s Magic Cat Academy is a separate Halloween-themed Doodle game released in October 2016, featuring a black cat named Momo. It has no connection to International Cat Day. The International Cat Day Easter egg is an interactive paw print animation that appears in Google Search results on or around August 8 each year.