The Heavy Breathing Cat meme features a close-up photo of a white cat named Oliver, captured with wide, bulging eyes and a slightly open mouth. Originally posted on Tumblr in 2012 by user thecreaturemoments, the image quickly became a viral sensation as a reaction gif and static image. It is most commonly used to represent intense physical exertion, overwhelming excitement, or extreme hunger, often accompanied by the simple caption '(HEAVY BREATHING).' Its popularity stems from its relatable expression of uncontrollable anticipation, making it a staple in the 'chonky cat' and reaction image subcultures.