Cats Are Now Prowling Into the Meme Coin Space, Challenging Dog Meme Coins Like $WEN and $MEW

For years, memes and crypto have been in bed together, with the dog meme coin reigning supreme. Dogecoin paved the way, followed by Shiba Inu and a pack of other woof-worthy coins.

In the sprawling landscape of cryptocurrencies, memes have always held a special place, serving as a common language for online communities and a source of endless amusement. For years, dogs have reigned supreme in the meme coin domain, beginning with the 2013 launch of Dogecoin.

Dogecoin, created as a playful take on Bitcoin, quickly captured the hearts of crypto enthusiasts with its fun personality and the ongoing support of tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Later projects like Shiba Inu built upon Dogecoin’s success, briefly rivaling DOGE’s dominance in 2021 with the surging SHIB coin. Meanwhile, Dogecoin expanded its utility, integrating NFTs and a decentralized exchange into its ecosystem.

Dogecoin remains the largest meme coin by market cap at $24.41 billion. In comparison, Shiba Inu is valued at $9.65 billion, placing it among the top 20 cryptocurrencies overall.

More recent additions like Dogwifhat on Solana have injected fresh energy into the dog narrative. It launched in January and has seen stunning returns, with a market cap that now ranks it as the third-largest dog meme token.

However, a new force is stirring in the meme coin realm—the cats are approaching.

Top Cat Meme Coins to Buy

After years of dog meme coins like Dogecoin and Shiba Inu holding dominion, cat-themed tokens are making their move in 2025. These projects, which have largely been funded by members of the Solana community, are putting a new spin on the meme coin narrative.

Some of the most popular cat meme coins include:

* $WEN: This token is a playful take on the common question asked in online crypto circles whenever a project is announced. $WEN, which stands for “When exactly new project,” is known for its vibrant community and engaging social media presence.

* $MEW: This token is a tribute to the iconic “Keyboard Cat” meme video, which went viral in the early days of the internet. $MEW, which stands for “mew,” is a close phonetic spelling of the sound a cat makes.

* Other notable cat meme coins include Sillynubcat, which is a spinoff of the popular "Nubby the Cat" meme, and Keycat, which is named after the cat in the “Smash Bros” video game. These tokens reflect the flexibility of meme narratives and how cat lovers are leveraging these themes to create lasting impact.

What’s Driving the Shift Away From the Dog Meme Coin?

The surge in cat meme coins can be attributed to the market’s evolving tastes and the cyclical nature of crypto trends. After a period dominated by dog-themed tokens, investor attention is shifting toward cat meme coins, which are known for their tight-knit communities and the creativity of their tokenomics.

Dog meme coins, such as Dogecoin and Shiba Inu, enjoyed a period of first mover advantage, good vibes, and the endless Elon Musk tweets, which helped to keep these tokens in the public eye. However, cat meme coins are quickly gaining ground.

Platforms like pump.fun and the Solana network have given these feline coins room to experiment and grow, attempting to keep any saturation at bay. Despite this new wave of cat tokens, they are still playing in the shadow of the dogs, whose vast market caps and recognition present a final hurdle for any aspiring meme monarch.

The Verdict on Cat vs Dog Meme Coin

The battle of cat vs dog meme coins in 2025 is far from over, and that’s part of the excitement. While cats may have the edge in freshness and narrative right now, dogs still hold the advantage with scale and recognition. Both, however, highlight an important lesson in the meme coin space: creativity, community, and timing are everything.

Whether you’re betting on paws or pups, the meme coin space remains as volatile as it is entertaining. Investors should assess projects carefully and remember to have a little fun while navigating the wonderfully weird world of meme coins.