How to Use Custom Cat Emojis on Telegram, Discord & WhatsApp

Your cat has a personality that generic emoji simply cannot capture. The standard yellow smiley faces and basic cat emoji on your keyboard are fine for casual conversation, but when you want to express yourself with your actual cat’s face — complete with their unique markings, expressions, and breed characteristics — you need custom cat emoji.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about creating custom cat emoji and using them on the three most popular messaging platforms: Telegram, Discord, and WhatsApp. Whether you want to send your friends a sticker of your tabby giving side-eye or react to messages with your Siamese’s surprised face, this tutorial has you covered.

Step 1: Create Your Custom Cat Emoji Pack

Before you can use custom cat emoji on any platform, you need to create them. PurrFam’s Emoji Maker generates a complete pack of expressive emoji from your cat’s photos using AI. Here is what the process looks like:

1. Upload clear, well-lit photos of your cat (check our cat photography tips guide for best results)
2. The AI analyzes your cat’s unique features — breed, markings, eye color, facial structure
3. You receive a complete emoji pack with multiple expressions

Here is an example of what the emoji maker produces. This is Mochi, an orange tabby:

And here is Oliver, a Siamese mix, shown in a multi-angle reference that produces even more accurate results:

Once you have your emoji pack downloaded, follow the platform-specific instructions below to start using them everywhere you chat.

Using Custom Cat Emoji on Telegram

Telegram has the best native support for custom emoji and stickers of any major messaging platform. It was practically built for this.

Telegram Sticker Packs — The Full Experience

Telegram supports animated and static sticker packs that any user can create and share. Here is how to turn your PurrFam cat emoji into a Telegram sticker pack:

Using @Stickers Bot (Official Method):

1. Open Telegram and search for @Stickers — this is Telegram’s official sticker management bot
2. Send the command /newpack to create a new sticker pack
3. Choose a name for your pack (e.g., “Mochi’s Expressions” or “Oliver Reacts”)
4. The bot will ask you to send sticker images. Upload each emoji from your PurrFam pack one by one
5. For each image, assign an emoji that represents the expression (e.g., the happy face gets 😊, the angry face gets 😠)
6. When all stickers are added, send /publish to make your pack available
7. Choose a short link name for easy sharing (e.g., MochiTheCat)

Telegram Image Requirements:

• Format: PNG with transparent background (WebP also supported)
• Size: Exactly 512x512 pixels for static stickers
• File size: Under 512 KB per sticker
• Animated stickers: TGS format, under 64 KB, 3 seconds max

Pro tip: PurrFam emoji are generated at high resolution with transparent backgrounds, making them perfect for Telegram without any additional editing.

Telegram Custom Emoji (Premium Feature)

Telegram Premium users can use custom emoji directly in message text — not just as stickers sent separately, but inline within your typed messages. This means you can literally write “Good morning” followed by your cat’s sleepy face emoji right in the text.

To use custom emoji in text:

1. Create your sticker pack using the method above
2. In any chat, tap the emoji button next to the text field
3. Navigate to your custom sticker pack
4. Tap any sticker to insert it as an inline emoji

Sharing Your Telegram Cat Sticker Pack

One of the best things about Telegram stickers is sharing. Once published, your pack gets a shareable link like t.me/addstickers/MochiTheCat. Send this to friends, post it in cat lover groups, or share it on social media. Anyone who clicks the link can add your cat’s emoji to their Telegram instantly.

Using Custom Cat Emoji on Discord

Discord is a paradise for custom emoji, especially if you are a server owner or have Nitro. Here is how to get your custom cat emoji working on Discord.

Adding Custom Emoji to Your Discord Server

If you own or admin a Discord server, you can upload custom emoji that all members can use:

1. Open your Discord server and click the server name at the top
2. Select Server Settings > Emoji
3. Click Upload Emoji
4. Select your PurrFam cat emoji files one by one (or drag and drop multiple files)
5. Give each emoji a descriptive name (e.g., :mochi_happy:, :mochi_angry:, :oliver_surprised:)
6. Click Save Changes

Discord Emoji Requirements:

• Format: PNG, JPG, or GIF (for animated emoji)
• Size: 128x128 pixels recommended (Discord will resize, but 128x128 is optimal)
• File size: Under 256 KB per emoji
• Naming: Use letters, numbers, and underscores only. Minimum 2 characters.

Server emoji limits:

• Without boosts: 50 regular emoji slots + 50 animated emoji slots
• Level 1 boost: +50 slots each (100 total per type)
• Level 2 boost: +50 more (150 total per type)
• Level 3 boost: +50 more (200 total per type)

Using Cat Emoji in Discord Messages

Once uploaded, server members can use your custom cat emoji by:

• Typing :mochi_ and selecting from the autocomplete dropdown
• Clicking the emoji picker (smiley face icon) and navigating to the server emoji tab
• Right-clicking a message and selecting “Add Reaction,” then choosing from server emoji

Discord Nitro: Use Your Cat Emoji Everywhere

With Discord Nitro ($9.99/month), you can use custom emoji from any server you are a member of in any other server or DM. This means your cat’s emoji travel with you across all of Discord. Nitro also unlocks animated emoji and larger upload sizes.

Tip for streamers: If you have a Discord community server for your stream, uploading your cat’s emoji there lets your subscribers react to announcements and chat with your cat’s face. Pair this with Twitch integration for maximum impact — see our guide on custom cat emojis for Twitch streamers.

Using Custom Cat Emoji on WhatsApp

WhatsApp does not support custom emoji in the same way as Telegram or Discord, but there are effective workarounds that let you use your cat’s face in chats.

WhatsApp Stickers — The Primary Method

WhatsApp supports custom sticker packs, which is the best way to use your PurrFam cat emoji in WhatsApp conversations.

On Android (Using Sticker Maker App):

1. Download Sticker Maker from the Google Play Store (free, by Viko & Co or similar)
2. Open the app and tap Create a new sticker pack
3. Name your pack (e.g., “Mochi Emoji”) and provide an author name
4. Tap each empty slot and import your PurrFam cat emoji images
5. Use the app’s built-in tools to crop or adjust if needed (PurrFam emoji usually need no adjustment)
6. You need a minimum of 3 stickers to create a pack
7. Tap Add to WhatsApp when your pack is ready
8. Confirm the import in WhatsApp

On iPhone (Using Sticker Maker App):

1. Download Sticker Maker Studio from the App Store
2. Create a new sticker pack and name it
3. Import your PurrFam cat emoji images
4. Each sticker needs to be positioned within the frame — pinch to resize
5. Create at least 3 stickers per pack
6. Tap Add to WhatsApp
7. Open WhatsApp, go to any chat, tap the sticker icon, and find your new pack

WhatsApp Sticker Requirements:

• Format: WebP (most sticker maker apps handle conversion automatically)
• Size: 512x512 pixels
• File size: Under 100 KB per sticker
• Transparent background required
• Minimum 3 stickers per pack, maximum 30

Sending Cat Emoji as Images in WhatsApp

For a quick and casual approach, you can simply send your PurrFam emoji as regular images in WhatsApp:

1. Save your favorite cat emoji to your phone’s camera roll
2. In any WhatsApp chat, tap the attachment icon (paperclip or +)
3. Select the emoji image from your gallery
4. Send it as a photo

While this is not as seamless as stickers (the image appears in a message bubble rather than as a floating sticker), it works immediately without any setup.

Emoji Size Requirements: Quick Reference Chart

Here is a quick reference for the image specifications each platform requires:

Platform	Format	Size	Max File Size	Transparent BG
Telegram Stickers	PNG/WebP	512x512 px	512 KB	Yes
Telegram Emoji	PNG/WebP	100x100 px	512 KB	Yes
Discord Emoji	PNG/JPG/GIF	128x128 px	256 KB	Optional
WhatsApp Stickers	WebP	512x512 px	100 KB	Yes
iMessage Stickers	PNG	300x300 px	-	Yes

PurrFam emoji are generated at high resolution with transparent backgrounds, so they meet or exceed all platform requirements. You may need to resize for specific platforms, which any free image editor or the sticker maker apps mentioned above can handle.

Tips for Choosing Which Cat Emoji to Use Where

Not every emoji works equally well on every platform. Here are some practical tips:

For Telegram: Go Big with Variety

Telegram sticker packs shine when they have many options. Upload your entire PurrFam emoji pack — happy, sad, angry, surprised, sleepy, playful, and everything in between. Telegram users love browsing through sticker packs, and the more expressions you include, the more situations your cat can “react” to.

For Discord: Focus on Reaction-Worthy Expressions

Discord emoji are most commonly used as message reactions. Think about which expressions work best at small sizes and in reaction context:

• Laughing/happy face — the universal positive reaction
• Angry or judging face — for when someone says something questionable
• Surprised face — for shocking news or announcements
• Heart eyes or love face — for fan art, cute photos, or good news
• Sleepy face — for late-night chats or “I should be sleeping” energy
• Crying face — for emotional moments or sympathy

Here are some example cats whose distinctive features make them easily recognizable even at Discord’s small emoji size:

For WhatsApp: Choose Your Most-Used Expressions

WhatsApp sticker packs are limited to 30 stickers, and the interface favors smaller packs that are easy to browse. Choose the 10-15 expressions you will actually use in daily conversation. Think about your personal chat style — do you react with laughter a lot? Include multiple happy variants. Are you a sarcastic texter? Make sure to include your cat’s judging face and eye-roll expressions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the same cat emoji across all platforms?

Yes. PurrFam emoji are delivered as standard image files that work across all platforms. You may need to resize them to meet platform-specific requirements (Telegram wants 512x512, Discord prefers 128x128), but the same base images work everywhere.

Do I need to pay for each platform separately?

No. When you create a cat emoji pack with PurrFam’s Emoji Maker, you receive downloadable image files that you own. You can use these files on as many platforms as you want at no additional cost.

Can my friends use my custom cat stickers?

On Telegram, absolutely — you can share a link to your sticker pack and anyone can add it. On Discord, anyone in your server can use emoji you have uploaded. On WhatsApp, sticker packs are local to your phone, but you can share the original image files with friends so they can create their own packs.

What if my emoji look blurry on Discord?

Discord displays emoji at very small sizes (as small as 22x22 pixels in reactions). If your emoji look blurry, make sure you are uploading them at 128x128 pixels and that the expressions have bold, clear features. High-contrast cats like tuxedos and cats with distinctive markings tend to look best at small sizes.

Start Creating Your Custom Cat Emoji Today

Ready to give your cat their own emoji pack for Telegram, Discord, WhatsApp, and beyond? Head over to PurrFam’s Emoji Maker to get started. Upload your cat’s photos, and in minutes you will have a personalized set of expressive emoji ready for every platform.

For the best results, check out our guide to taking perfect cat photos before you begin — the quality of your source photos directly impacts how recognizable and expressive your custom emoji will be.