Belgian prosecutors were concerned that some social media users would update their followers about sensitive operations - disclosing information which could be useful for suspects still evading capture.
Hours after the police's appeal, the #BrusselsLockdown hashtag had been flooded with cat pictures, some accompanied with defiant captions to warn suspects they would not win.
Others were more humorous, and showed felines getting involved in the investigation "to catch the bad guys".
One user posted a picture of a cat masquerading as a dog, accompanied by the caption: "You can't keep hiding."
The Twitter trend was a light-hearted moment for Belgians, who still face on going anti-terror operations following the Paris attacks.
Schools and the Metro transport network in Brussels will remain closed on Monday over fears of a similar incident.
The country's reaction to the "radio silence" appeal has inspired cat owners around the world to upload photographs of their animals in solidarity with the people of Brussels.
And at a news conference, federal prosecutor Eric Van der Sypt thanked the public for complying with their request for discretion.
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