A long cat plush is a stretched-out cat stuffed animal, often 50–130 cm (20–51 in) long, that doubles as a body pillow. The idea traces back to “Longcat”, a white Japanese cat whose dangling, impossibly long photo became one of the internet’s earliest cat memes in the mid-2000s.
Long cat plushies are part joke, part genuinely brilliant pillow. They are long enough to hug from head to toe, funny enough to make guests laugh, and cosy enough for naps, reading and movie nights. This guide covers the meme that started it all, why long cats work so well as plush, and how to pick the right length. For a tour of every style of cat stuffed animal, see our cat plush guide.
Key Takeaways
- Longcat was a real white cat from Japan, nicknamed Nobiko, who became a meme in the mid-2000s.
- Long cat plushies work as hug pillows, body pillows and funny decor.
- Choose length by use: 50–70 cm for a lap or sofa, 90–110 cm for a bed, 130 cm for full-body hugging.
- Most long plush is too big for a home washer, so plan on spot cleaning.
What Is a Long Cat Plush?
A long cat plush is a cat-shaped stuffed animal with an extra-long body, designed to be hugged lengthwise like a body pillow. Most have a round cartoon face at one end, little paws, and a soft tube-shaped body filled with polyester fibre (often sold as “PP cotton”).
Unlike a classic sitting cat, a long cat is made for lounging. You can wrap your arms and legs around it, rest your head on it, or drape it over the back of a sofa.
Where Did the Long Cat Meme Come From?
The long cat meme came from a photo of a real cat in Japan. The cat was a white female, usually called Shiroi (“white”) and nicknamed Nobiko (“stretched”) by Japanese fans. In the photo she is held up under the front legs, her body hanging down so far that she looks impossibly long.
According to Know Your Meme, the image first appeared on the Japanese imageboard Futaba Channel around 2004–2005. It then spread to English-speaking forums, where users made edits stretching her body even further. The catchphrase “Longcat is long” became a classic of early internet humour.
Nobiko died in September 2020, aged 18, according to Wikipedia. Her image still shows up in memes, games and, of course, plush form.
Why Are Long Cat Plushies So Popular?
Long cat plushies are popular because they combine a funny internet joke with a genuinely useful pillow. Here is why people love them:
- Full-length hugs. A long body is easy to wrap your arms and legs around, like a body pillow with a face.
- Room for two. On a sofa, a long cat can stretch across two laps during a movie.
- Support. Many people use them to prop up a book, a laptop or their back while reading in bed.
- Personality. A plain pillow is boring. A long cat with a sleepy face is a conversation starter.
- Gift appeal. They feel like a big, generous gift without the bulk of a giant teddy bear.
What Size Long Cat Plush Should You Get?
The right long cat size depends on where you will use it. Our Kawaii Long Cat Plush comes in five lengths, and this table shows what each is best for:
| Length | About | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 50 cm | 20 in | Lap cuddles, desk chair, kids |
| 70 cm | 28 in | Sofa pillow, travel |
| 90 cm | 35 in | Bed pillow, reading support |
| 110 cm | 43 in | Body pillow for a single or twin bed |
| 130 cm | 51 in | Full-body hugging, big beds, statement gift |
A quick way to check: a standard US twin mattress is 38 in (97 cm) wide and a queen is 60 in (152 cm) wide. A 110 cm long cat fits comfortably across a twin bed, and a 130 cm long cat suits a queen. For more on choosing big plush, see our giant stuffed animal buying guide.
Are There Other Long Plush Options?
Yes. If you love the long cat shape but want a different look, a long pillow plush gives you the same full-length hug. Our Kawaii Long Pillow includes brown, grey and flower cat designs alongside dogs, in 60, 90 or 120 cm (23.6–47.2 in), from $31.99.
Prefer something round instead of long? Our fat cat plush guide covers the chonky side of cat plush, and our Fat Cat Plush comes in 35, 50 or 70 cm.
How Do You Clean a Long Cat Plush?
To clean a long cat plush, spot clean it first, because most long plush is too big for a home washing machine. Follow these steps:
- Check the care label for any specific instructions.
- Vacuum or brush the surface with a soft brush attachment to lift dust and hair.
- Spot clean marks with a cloth dampened with cool water and a little mild detergent. Dab, don’t scrub.
- Rinse the area with a clean damp cloth to remove soap.
- Air dry it completely lying flat in a well-ventilated spot, turning it so both sides dry, then fluff the fur.
Smaller long cats (50–70 cm) may fit in a large front-loading machine on a cold, gentle cycle inside a big mesh bag or pillowcase, if the label allows. For deep cleaning tips, read our guide to cleaning giant stuffed animals.
Is a Long Cat Plush a Good Gift?
A long cat plush makes a great gift for teens, students and adults who love cosy nights in, and for anyone who knows the meme. It is especially fun for gamers and movie lovers, who can use it as a back or arm rest. Our plush toys are recommended for ages 3 and up. Pair a long cat with a matching character plush for a bigger gift, and browse more ideas in our kawaii stuffed animals.
How Do You Style a Long Cat Plush in Your Room?
A long cat plush looks best when it has a job to do. Here are a few easy ways to work one into your room:
- On the bed: lay it across the pillows as a backrest for reading, or along the side of the bed as a hug pillow.
- On the sofa: drape it along the back cushions so it peeks over the top, ready for movie nights.
- By a window seat: a long cat stretched along a window ledge looks like a real cat sunbathing.
- At a gaming or desk chair: a shorter 50–70 cm long cat makes a comfy lumbar or arm rest.
- In a plush family: line up long cats of different colours and lengths for a funny, colourful display.
Long Cat Plush vs Regular Body Pillow: Which Is Better?
A long cat plush is better if you want comfort with personality, while a regular body pillow is better if you only need plain support. This table compares the two:
| Long cat plush | Regular body pillow | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Cute cat face and paws | Plain fabric or cover |
| Feel | Soft plush outer, squishy filling | Usually firmer, with a removable cover |
| Washing | Usually spot clean | Cover often machine washable |
| Best for | Lounging, gifts, decor, fun | Pure sleep support |
FAQs
What was the original Longcat’s name?
The original Longcat was a white cat from Japan, usually called Shiroi, meaning “white”. Japanese fans nicknamed her Nobiko, meaning “stretched”.
Is Longcat still alive?
No. Nobiko, the cat behind the Longcat meme, died in September 2020 at the age of 18. Her famous photo lives on in memes and merchandise.
Can you sleep with a long cat plush?
Many teens and adults use a long cat plush as a body pillow. For young children, follow general safe-sleep advice for their age and keep large plush out of babies’ sleep spaces.
What is a long cat plush filled with?
Most long cat plushies, including ours, are filled with PP cotton, a soft polyester fibre that keeps its shape and bounces back after squeezing.
How long is the longest long cat plush?
Long cats are sold in many lengths. Our longest is 130 cm (51 in), which is long enough to hug from shoulder to knee for most adults.
Can a long cat plush support your back?
A long cat plush can make a comfy backrest for reading or gaming, much like a regular cushion. It is a comfort pillow, not a medical support, so anyone with back pain should ask a health professional about proper support.
Which colour long cat is best?
Our long cat comes in grey, orange and pink. Grey and orange look like classic house cats, while pink suits kawaii and pastel rooms. Many people pick the colour that matches their own cat.
Find your favourite stretchy friend among our cat stuffed animals, browse the wider plush collection, or head back to the My Heart Teddy homepage.
