Let's be real for a second. The adult coloring book craze usually involves intricate mandalas, sweeping landscapes, or maybe some inspirational quotes surrounded by flowers. Then there is the outlier. The one that makes you double-take in the bookstore aisle. I'm talking about Cat Butts: A Coloring Book. It is exactly what the title says. No metaphors here. Just dozens of illustrations featuring feline posterior views.
It sounds like a gag gift. Honestly, it is. But it’s also a strange testament to how much we love our weird, aloof pets. If you’ve ever owned a cat, you know the "elevator butt" pose. You know the way they jump onto your laptop and immediately present you with their tail-up view. This book just leans into that reality. It’s funny. It’s slightly irreverent. And surprisingly, it’s actually a decent way to de-stress after a long day of staring at spreadsheets.
Why Cat Butts: A Coloring Book actually works for stress
Laughter is a physiological reset. When you open a page of Cat Butts: A Coloring Book, you aren't trying to create a masterpiece for a gallery. There is zero pressure. You can't take a drawing of a tabby’s backside too seriously. That lack of preciousness is what makes it a better "therapy" tool than some of those high-end, $30 artist editions where you're afraid to mess up a single line.
Psychologists often talk about "flow state." It's that zone where you lose track of time because you’re focused on a simple, repetitive task. Coloring in the fur patterns around a Sphynx cat's rear end might feel ridiculous, but the brain doesn't care about the subject matter. It cares about the rhythmic movement of the pencil. It cares about the choice between "burnt sienna" and "raw umber."
Most of these books, like the popular version by Val Brains, feature a variety of breeds. You’ve got long-haired Persians, sleek Siamese, and chunky barn cats. Each one offers a different "textural challenge," if you want to get fancy about it. But mostly, it’s just about the absurdity. Life is heavy. Your job is probably stressful. The news is definitely stressful. Coloring a cat's butt is not.
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The weirdly specific history of animal humor in art
Humans have been obsessed with animal anatomy since we were scratching buffalo on cave walls. But the specific humor found in Cat Butts: A Coloring Book follows a long tradition of "low-brow" art making its way into the mainstream. We see this in medieval marginalia—those weird little drawings in the corners of ancient manuscripts. Monks used to draw cats licking themselves or rabbits acting like knights.
It’s a subversion of expectations. We expect art to be beautiful or profound. When it’s just a cat’s butt, it breaks the "fourth wall" of etiquette. This is why these books fly off the shelves during the holidays. They are the ultimate White Elephant gift. They’re safe enough for your aunt but weird enough for your coworkers.
Interestingly, the success of this specific book spawned an entire genre. You can now find "Pooping Dogs" calendars and "Dinosaur Farts" coloring books. But the cat version stays at the top of the heap. Why? Because cats actually show you their butts. It’s a feline greeting. In the wild, or at least in the living room, a cat presenting its rear is a sign of trust. They are showing you their most vulnerable side. So, in a way, this coloring book is about the bond between humans and animals. Kinda. If you squint.
Technical details for the coloring enthusiasts
If you're actually going to sit down and color this, don't just grab the cheapest crayons you find in the junk drawer. Even though the subject is silly, the experience is better with the right tools.
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- Colored Pencils: These are the gold standard for cat fur. You want something with a soft wax core, like Prismacolor Premiers. They blend well, which is important when you’re trying to get that perfect gradient on a Calico.
- Alcohol Markers: These give you vibrant, flat colors. Just be careful about "bleed-through." Most of these novelty books use standard 60lb paper, which isn't always thick enough for heavy ink. Put a piece of cardstock behind the page you’re working on so you don't ruin the Maine Coon on the next leaf.
- Gel Pens: Great for small details. If you want to add a little "sparkle" to the... well, the focal point... a glitter gel pen is the move.
The paper quality in the official Cat Butts: A Coloring Book is decent. It’s not Stonehenge cotton paper, but it handles light layering well. One thing people get wrong is trying to color too fast. Even if it's a joke, take your time. Shade the muscles. Think about the lighting. The more effort you put into making a realistic cat butt, the funnier the final result is.
Beyond the joke: The community of "crude" crafters
There is a huge community on platforms like Instagram and TikTok where people share their finished pages from "weird" coloring books. It’s a pushback against the "aesthetic" culture where everything has to be perfectly curated and beautiful.
Sometimes, people use these books for "Color and Sip" nights. Grab a bottle of wine, a box of pencils, and some friends. It’s a great icebreaker. It’s hard to feel awkward or pretentious when everyone at the table is debating which shade of grey to use for a British Shorthair’s tail.
Critics might say these books are a waste of paper or "the decline of civilization." Honestly? That’s a bit much. If a $10 book can make someone laugh and sit quietly for an hour instead of doomscrolling on their phone, it's a win. We spend so much time being "productive" and "professional." We need outlets that allow us to be immature for a minute.
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Finding the right version
There are several imitators out there. If you’re looking for the original vibe, check the artist's name. The most famous one is often attributed to Val Brains, but there are dozens of "Cat Butt" iterations now. Some include "fun facts" about cats, which are usually about 50% true and 50% jokes. Others include mazes or word searches.
When you’re shopping, look at the "Look Inside" feature if it's available. You want line art that is clean. Some of the cheaper, "print-on-demand" versions have blurry lines or pixelated images because they just stole clip art from the internet. The high-quality ones have hand-drawn illustrations with personality. You can tell when an artist actually knows what a cat looks like versus someone just tracing a photo.
Actionable insights for your first "feline" masterpiece
If you've just picked up a copy of Cat Butts: A Coloring Book, don't just dive in randomly. Start with a breed you recognize. If you have a cat, try to replicate their markings first. It adds a layer of "personal tribute" to the absurdity.
Don't be afraid to use "unrealistic" colors. Who says a cat can't be neon green? The whole point is to break the rules. If you find yourself getting frustrated because you can't get the shading right, stop. Remind yourself what you're coloring. It’s a cat's butt. It is fundamentally ridiculous.
Once you finish a page, don't just hide it. Rip it out. Frame it. Put it in the guest bathroom. It’s the ultimate conversation starter. People will either think you’re a comedic genius or they’ll never ask to stay at your house again. Either way, it’s a result.
The best way to enjoy this hobby is to lean into the weirdness. Buy the book, get the good pencils, and stop worrying about making "real art." Sometimes, the most "real" thing you can do is laugh at a drawing of a cat's backside.