28 Cat-Inspired Pokemon

Last Updated on April 4, 2022

With almost 900 Pokemon, you would expect there to be a nice selection of cat Pokemon and cat-inspired Pokemon, and you would be right! From the very obvious felines such as Meowth and Litten to those with cat-like features such as Zeraora, here are the 28 cats of the Pokemon world!

Meowth & Persian (Alolan & Galarian Forms)

The most famous pair of felines in the Pokemon world is without a doubt, Meowth & Persian. Meowth became the famous lippy cat of Team Rocket’s Jessie & James, being the only Meowth who can speak English. Why they continued to go after a generic Pikachu is beyond me! Persian, which is the evolved form of Meowth is well known for being Giovanni’s (Team Rocket’s leader) cynical cat.

Skitty & Delcatty

These two cats are something like a pincushion and a pillow. No, seriously… Have you seen them? Skitty is a very cute and lovable pink cat designed to appeal to the female fan base with its detailed coat and seedling like appearance. Delcatty, Skitty’s evolution form, goes for more of an almost flower-like appearance. I can’t help but stare at the neck pillow around Delcatty’s neck…

Glameow & Purugly

When it comes to a stereotypical pair, these two take the cake… err fish? Glameow is a prissy and classy cat, something like a Siamese cat. What makes it funny is that it starts out small and cute and then grows or rather evolves into a very plumpy not-so-cute fat cat Pokemon(Okay, he’s still cute!). Nothing wrong with a fat cat but I think the name implies it goes from “glamorous” to “ugly” as it evolves.

Purrloin & Liepard

If Catwoman was not used to inspire this Pokemon duo, I’d be shocked! This purple cat Pokemon duo is a favorite among feline fanciers for its striking contrast in color and interesting shape. Purrloin has the typical cat features with a bit of a “masked” look to it. Liepard takes on another look entirely and clearly showcases that Purrloin becomes a leopard of sorts. A very nice concept and very vibrant colors make these two cats stand out from the rest. Liepard is probably the cutest cat Pokemon ever!

Shinx, Luxio & Luxray

While the ears may confuse some, this is definitely a cat styled Pokemon! I am not 100% sure what kind of cat it is modeled after but I would like to think of it as a panther mixed with a lion. Shinx is an adorable cub not featuring any of the black mane around the head, likely to be based on a lion or lynx cub. Luxio starts to bring in the mane with a very tough look. Finally, Luxray shows the full mane with the toughest look of the trio. I am not sure why, but Luxray reminds me of Sonic.

Litleo & Pyroar

Ah! The lion Pokemon! I really do appreciate how they approached this concept. When you have a male Litleo, it becomes a well-maned male Pyroar but if you have a female, it becomes the female equivalent with no mane. This concept is also seen in other Pokemon and is something I wish they did since first gen. Either way, Simba would be proud!

Espurr & Meowstic

I can’t be alone with saying that Espurr looks like that one stuffed animals that didn’t get played with enough! I love the concept behind it, almost appearing more like a teddy bear than a grey cat Pokemon. Meowstic is another Pokemon to feature both sexes, the navy being a male and the white, a female. Whichever you prefer, both are very cute and quite tough for their size!

Litten, Torracat & Incineroar

One of three starter Pokemon from Pokemon Sun & Moon, Litten! This cute cat has the appeal of the tradition “I’d had enough petting for the day” cat with a fun twist… It is a fire type! Unlike Pyroar, this little guy is far from a lion! The second stage (Torracat) has some differences that begin to make this Pokemon tougher including a fire bell, claws, and a slightly more “rugged” coat. Litten’s final stage (Incineroar) is basically what I would consider Pokemon’s cat-man version of Brock Lesnar.

Solgaleo & Dusk Mane Necrozma

This fierce-looking fella is the featured Legendary Pokemon of the Pokemon Sun game. Believe it or not, he is not even a fire type! NOPE! He is a steel and psychic type. Mega-Metagross is an example of how powerful this combination can be!

Dusk Mane Necrozma is a fusion of Solgaleo and the ultra beast, Necrozma. Whilst this is a fusion and not a stand-alone cat Pokemon, I feel it is worth adding seeing as it is still a form using Solgaleo, the Sun Legendary lion.

Zeraora

This 4’11 feline juggernaut was an instant hit and continues to be very popular! It has a blistering base speed of 143, making it the 2nd fastest electric Pokemon in the game! Zeraora also comes equipped with its own signature move, Plasma Fists. This fierce cat Pokemon also soaks up any electric-type moves, too!

Perrserker

Perrserker is tough little cat Pokemon introduced to the franchise in Pokemon Sword & Shield! Standing just over 2 and a half feet, this little guy is a bipedal Viking kitty that evolves from the Galarian Meowth at level 28. Its name is a play on the term “Berserker” which is a Norse Warrior.

Sprigatito

This delicate, attention-seeking grass kitty is one of the new starters for Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Standing only 1’4″ feet tall and weighing only 9 pounds, this pint-size kitty Pokemon is all sorts of heckin’ adorable! (Evolution stages will be added soon!)

Summary

The complete list of cat Pokemon and cat-like Pokemon as of the latest games, Pokemon Sword & Shield are:

  • Meowth & Persian
  • Skitty & Delcatty
  • Glameow & Purugly
  • Purrloin & Liepard
  • Shinx & Luxio & Luxray
  • Litleo & Pyroar (male & female)
  • Espurr & Meowstic (male & female)
  • Litten, Torracat, & Incineroar
  • Solgaleo (Sun Legendary)
  • Dusk Mane Necrozma
  • Zeraora (Legendary)
  • Perrserker
  • Sprigatito

“You Missed One!”

It’s worth mentioning that there are other Pokemon who do have cat-like features but because they are too heavily split between being a cat and something else (Like Snorlax for example), they did not make the list. Many common ones people put up for debate include the Eeveelutions, Mew, Raikou, and Absol. The “Eeveelutions” are based on elemental foxes, the balance of energies in “one”. Umbreon is often mistaken for a black cat Pokemon and while this could be true, it has more in common with hares and foxes than it does with cats. Mew is an embryo-like alien said to be formed from mixed DNA of all Pokemon. Raikou is based loosely on Raiju, also known as the “thunder beast” and is made up of dog, cat, and rodent parts. Finally, Absol, which is loosely based on Bai Ze meaning “White Marsh” in Chinese.

Which Is Your Favorite?

Which cat Pokemon do you like the most? Let us know in the comments!


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82 thoughts on “28 Cat-Inspired Pokemon”

  1. Just a note: Zeraora does not actually beat or even have a speed tie with Electrode, as Electrode’s base speed stat is 150, beating out Zeraora by 7 Base Stat Points. Of course, this ignores any differences in IVs, EVs and Natures, but if all of these factors are equal on each, then Electrode will keep rolling right past the thunder kitty!

    Reply
    • It definitely has some lion elements in it, but I agree. I doubt any Pokemon are based on just one real animal.

      Reply
  2. you forgot mew lol the only pokemon that looks like a normal cat and not some super expensive pure-breed. normal cat > expensive cat …. pokemon world.

    Reply
  3. I love Litten and torracat, but I hate Incineroar, I picked litten because it looked like a cat, and then it evolved to torracat and I liked it even more but then when it evolved again I got, Incineroar, it doesn’t look like a cat anymore, it looks like a generic muscular WWE wrestler with fur, which is noticed what I want…

    Reply
    • Thanks for your comment Raike. As mentioned, Mew is based on DNA so it is meant to look like an embryo of sorts. The name “Mew” applies to the sound of a baby animal. Cats aren’t the only ones to mew when they are babies. Mewtwo again is based on DNA and also cloning. Raikou is considered a Pokemon based on Raiju the thunder beast which is made up of feline, canine, and rodent parts. The list is for cat/feline only Pokemon.

      Reply
      • mews body shape and if it did movements not hovering. appers would move like a real cat. mewtwo i dont think belongs on the list since he is combination of cat-like pokemon mythical being and kangeroo?

      • Mew also seems very kangaroo-like to me. Also, I don’t think a cat Pokemon would have “Mew is said to possess the genetic composition of all Pokemon.” as part of it’s Pokedex entry. And, Mewtwo is Mew’s child/another being made of Mew’s DNA. How would Mew be a cat Pokemon and Mewtwo not? Mew is felinoid, but not as much as the Pokemon on this list.

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