Easy Cartoon Cat (Step-by-Step)
In this guide
Who doesn’t love a chubby, big-eyed cartoon cat? These little furballs are one of the friendliest things to draw, and today we’re making one that’s all round shapes and sweetness. Grab a pencil and let’s give this kitty some personality. 🐾
A cartoon cat is really just a circle, two triangle ears, and a whole lot of charm. Because it’s a cartoon, everything can be exaggerated — bigger eyes, rounder cheeks, tinier nose. If you love drawing critters, our cute easy animals to draw hub is stuffed with more friendly faces to try next.
Let’s build our kitty from the head down. You’ve got this.
What You’ll Need
- Paper
- A pencil (an HB or No. 2 is perfect)
- An eraser
- Optional: markers or colored pencils
Step 1: Draw the Head
Begin with a big, soft circle near the top of your page. It doesn’t need to be perfect — a slightly squished, wide circle actually looks cuter. Keep your pencil light so you can fix things later. This is the whole face, so give it plenty of room.
Step 2: Add the Ears
Pop two triangle ears on top, one on each side, like little tent flaps. Round the tips just a touch so they feel soft instead of spiky. Inside each ear, draw a smaller triangle for the pink inner part. Big ears equal big cuteness here.
Step 3: Draw the Big Eyes
Give your cat two large oval eyes, set a bit low and wide apart. Fill most of each eye dark, but leave a small white circle for a shiny sparkle. That little glint is the secret to a sweet, alive expression. The bigger the eyes, the more adorable the kitty.
Step 4: Add the Nose and Mouth
Right between the eyes, draw a tiny upside-down triangle for the nose. Underneath, add a little “w” or two gentle curves for a happy cartoon mouth. Keep everything small and close together — that’s what gives cartoon cats their baby-faced look.
Step 5: Draw the Whiskers
From each cheek, sweep out three thin whiskers. Let them curve gently rather than sticking out straight, so they feel light and springy. Add a couple of tiny dots where the whiskers begin for an extra touch. Now your cat is unmistakably a cat.
Step 6: Add the Body
Under the head, draw a small egg-shaped body — cartoon cats look best when the head is big and the body is little. Add two round front paws peeking out at the bottom, like the cat is sitting politely. Keep the shapes soft and bumpy, never sharp. A rounded body reads as cuddly, while straight lines and corners make a cartoon animal feel stiff. If you want a standing pose instead, just add two little back legs and let the body stretch a bit taller.
Step 7: Curl the Tail
Sweep a long, curvy tail out from one side of the body and let it curl upward. A tail that swirls like a question mark adds instant playfulness. Make it nice and thick so it matches the round, cuddly body.
Step 8: Clean Up and Color
Erase any leftover guidelines and darken your favorite lines. Color your kitty however you like — a classic orange tabby with a few stripes, a gray cat, or a bright imaginary color. Add pink to the ears and cheeks, and you’re done. One cuddly cartoon cat, made by you! 🎨
Tips to Make Your Cartoon Cat Even Cuter
- Tilt the head slightly to one side for a curious, “aww” pose.
- Add a tiny heart, bell, or bow at the neck for extra charm.
- Rosy cheek circles make any cartoon animal ten times sweeter.
- Try closed, happy “u” shaped eyes for a sleepy, content look.
- Keep the whole body a little chubby — skinny cartoon cats lose their cuddliness.
FAQ
Is a cartoon cat hard to draw?
Nope — it’s one of the easiest cartoons to start with because it’s built from circles and triangles. The cartoon style means “wobbly” just reads as charming.
How long does it take?
Most people finish in 10 to 15 minutes. Coloring adds a few more, especially if you’re doing stripes or patterns.
What age is this good for?
Kids around 5 and up love it, and it’s a great one to draw together with a grown-up. The simple shapes make it very forgiving for little hands.
However your kitty comes out, you just gave a bunch of simple shapes a whole personality — that’s what cartooning is all about. For more step-by-step fun in video form, visit our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/@hobbiesfor_fun. If you loved this, try a more realistic cat drawing next, or give your kitty a best friend with our easy cartoon dog guide. You’ve got this! ✨
