Meowth is basically the reason we're all here. Back in 1996, when Satoshi Tajiri and the team at Game Freak were sketching out the original 151, the decision to include a "Lucky Cat" (Maneki-neko) felt almost mandatory for a Japanese RPG. Fast forward thirty years, and the list of cat pokemon has ballooned into one of the most diverse groups in the entire National Pokedex.
Cats are everywhere. They are in our houses, our memes, and apparently, every single region from Kanto to Paldea. But honestly, what even counts as a "cat" Pokemon anymore? Is Luxray a lion or a lynx? Is Raikou a tiger or some kind of lightning-infused prehistoric beast? If you look at the biology and the design inspirations provided by Ken Sugimori and the modern art team, the lines get blurry.
The Kanto Classics and the Meowth Monopoly
It all started with Meowth. Number 052.
Meowth is unique because it’s the only Pokemon that actually talks in the anime—well, one specific Meowth does—but in the games, it represents the concept of Pay Day. It's a literal money cat. Evolution-wise, Persian takes that domestic look and makes it sleeker, more "classy." It’s the quintessential pet for a mob boss like Giovanni.
Then we have Mew. People argue about this. Is Mew a cat? Its name is literally the sound a kitten makes. Its DNA contains the blueprints for every other creature, but its physical form—large eyes, long tail, pointed ears—is undeniably feline. It’s the "ancestor" cat.
Then there's Mewtwo. If Mew is a kitten, Mewtwo is the terrifying, psychic super-soldier version of a cat. It’s bipedal, sure, but those feline facial features remain. It’s probably the most powerful entry on any list of cat pokemon, even if it spent most of its life in a lab tube in Cinnabar Island.
Why Gen 2 and 3 Changed the Vibe
Johto gave us Espeon. If you’ve ever seen a Caracal or a Devon Rex, you see Espeon. It’s the "Sun Pokemon," but it’s basically what happens when a cat gains the ability to predict the weather and move objects with its mind.
Then things got weird with the Legendary Beasts.
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Raikou, Entei, and Suicune are often called "Legendary Dogs" by Western fans. This is actually a bit of a mistranslation or a cultural misunderstanding. Muneo Saitō, the designer, has clarified in interviews that Raikou is heavily based on a saber-toothed tiger. Entei has lion-like qualities. They are big cats. Calling Raikou a dog is like calling a tiger a Golden Retriever. It just doesn't fit the anatomy.
Generation 3 (Hoenn) brought us Skitty and Delcatty. These are the "cute" cats. They’re pink, they chase their tails, and they’re basically designed for the Pokemon Contest mechanic introduced in Ruby and Sapphire. They aren't great in battle. Honestly, they’re kind of terrible if you’re trying to beat the Elite Four. But for a casual playthrough? They’re iconic.
The Power Creepers: Shinx and Glameow
When Pokemon Diamond and Pearl hit the DS, the list of cat pokemon got its first true heavy hitter in the "cool" category: Shinx.
Shinx starts out looking like a cub. It evolves into Luxio and finally Luxray. Now, Luxray is an interesting case study. It has the "Ray" in its name (X-ray vision), and while it looks like a lion, its ears and tail are very much inspired by a lynx. It’s an Electric-type that doesn't feel like a Pikachu clone. It feels dangerous.
On the flip side, we got Glameow and Purugly. This was a stroke of genius by the design team. Glameow is the elegant, slender cat that everyone wants. Then it evolves into Purugly, which is... well, it’s a grumpy, overweight house cat that bullies other Pokemon. It’s a very "real" depiction of how some cats age.
The Incineroar Controversy
We have to talk about Litten.
When the Gen 7 starters were revealed, people loved Litten. A fire cat? Perfect. Torracat? Even better. It looked like it was going to stay on all four legs. Then came Incineroar.
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The community went into a meltdown. "Another bipedal fire starter!" they cried. But Incineroar grew on people. It’s a "Heel" wrestler. It’s smug, it’s loud, and it’s arguably the best Pokemon in the competitive VGC (Video Game Championships) history. Its ability, Intimidate, combined with moves like Fake Out and Parting Shot, makes it a permanent fixture in the meta. If you play competitive Pokemon, you either use Incineroar or you lose to it.
Paldea and the Modern Feline
The most recent additions in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet gave us Sprigatito.
The "weed cat" memes were everywhere. People were practically begging Game Freak: "Please don't let it stand up." Well, it stood up. Floragato and Meowscarada became magician-themed felines. Meowscarada is actually incredible in the current game meta because of its signature move, Flower Trick, which always lands a critical hit.
And we can't forget Chien-Pao. It’s one of the "Ruinous" legendaries. It’s a snow leopard made of literal ice with swords for teeth. It’s terrifying. It’s sleek. It’s proof that the list of cat pokemon is nowhere near finished.
Breaking Down the Biological Inspirations
Not all "cats" in Pokemon are just domestic shorthairs. Game Freak pulls from global mythology and biology.
- Zeraora: A mythical Pokemon that’s basically a humanoid tiger/cheetah hybrid. It’s fast, it’s yellow, and it looks like something out of a high-budget anime.
- Solgaleo: The box mascot for Pokemon Sun. It’s the "Beast that devours the sun." It’s a lion, but it’s also a psychic steel construct from another dimension.
- Liepard: The Gen 5 leopard. It’s the "Cruel Pokemon." It’s meant to represent the sneaky, nocturnal side of cats that most owners only see at 3 AM when their pet is sprinting across their face.
- Espurr and Meowstic: These are based on Scottish Folds. They have the folded ears and the "thousand-yard stare." The lore for Espurr is actually quite dark; it has to keep its ears folded to contain psychic power that could level a building.
The "Are They Cats?" Honorable Mentions
Some Pokemon exist in a gray area.
Take Absol. It has a feline face and feline movement, but it’s often associated with mountain goats or "disaster" myths (the Bai Ze). Then there’s Zangoose. It’s the "Cat Ferret" Pokemon. It has the claws of a cat but the body of a mongoose.
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Sylveon? It has some feline traits, but like all Eeveelutions, it's a "fox-cat-dog" hybrid. It’s whatever you want it to be.
How to Build a Cat-Only Team
If you’re looking to do a "Cat-locke" or just a themed run, you actually have a lot of competitive viability here. You aren't just stuck with cute, weak fluffballs.
- The Lead: Meowscarada. Its Speed stat is top-tier, and its Protean ability (though nerfed in Gen 9) still allows for great type coverage.
- The Tank: Incineroar. As mentioned, its defensive utility is unmatched. It can soak up hits and pivot out.
- The Special Sweeper: Espeon. With Magic Bounce, it reflects status moves like Stealth Rock or Will-O-Wisp back at the opponent.
- The Revenge Killer: Luxray or Zeraora. You need something that can hit hard and fast with physical moves.
- The Weird One: Perrserker. This Galarian evolution of Meowth is a Steel-type Viking cat. It has an ability called Steely Spirit that boosts Steel-type moves for the whole team.
Why the Obsession with Felines?
The list of cat pokemon grows every generation because cats fit the "elemental" mold so well. They can be graceful (Psychic), sneaky (Dark), fast (Electric), or fierce (Fire). Unlike dogs, which are often portrayed as loyal workers (like Arcanine or Stoutland), cats in Pokemon usually have more "attitude." They are independent. They are often the companions of villains or high-society NPCs.
From a design perspective, a cat’s anatomy is a perfect canvas. You can change the ears, lengthen the tail, or add "armor" without losing the core "cat-ness" of the creature.
Actionable Tips for Collectors and Trainers
If you're looking to complete your feline collection in the modern games, here is what you need to do:
- Check the Tera Raids: In Scarlet and Violet, Meowscarada and its pre-evolutions don't spawn in the wild. You have to trade for them or find them in specific event raids if you didn't pick the grass starter.
- Use the Masuda Method: If you want a shiny cat team, the Masuda Method (breeding two Pokemon from different real-world language regions) is your best bet. A shiny Litten (white and red) is one of the most sought-after shinies in the game.
- Watch the Abilities: Don't just catch any cat. Look for Hidden Abilities. A Meowth with Pickup is great for finding free items, but a Persian with Technician is much better for actual battling.
- Regional Forms Matter: Remember that Meowth has three distinct forms (Kanto, Alola, Galar). Each evolves into something different (Persian, Alolan Persian, and Perrserker). You can't just breed a Galarian Meowth and expect a regular Persian; you need to use an Everstone to preserve the regional form.
The list of cat pokemon is more than just a tally of digital pets. It's a reflection of how we view cats in the real world—mysterious, powerful, slightly annoying, and utterly indispensable. Whether you’re a fan of the classic Kanto feline or the new-age Paldean magician, there is a cat Pokemon for basically every type of player.
Next time you’re out in the tall grass, keep an eye out for those pointed ears. You might just find your next favorite team member.