i think mew’s name was taken from meow but without the O

no way cause they are not

so is mine

IKR!

Zangoose is a mongoose. Duh.

Zangoose is clearly a Mongoose?!

Shinx sounds like Lynx for a reason.

I think Zangoose is more bear-like than cat-like

“Luxio is a feline, quadruped Pokémon resembling a young lynx or lion.” -Bulbapedia

Totally agree! There are loads of somewhat felinoid Pokemon, but the one’s on this list are as close to “pure” cats as you can get. Totally didn’t fight that Mew is more kangaroo-esque then felinoid from 3-5 a.m. today.

Many young mammals make a mewing sound. Name the source that said Mew and Mewtwo are confirmed cats. I couldn’t find anything when I searched it but didn’t dig very deep. I think Mew and Mewtwo are more likely based on kangaroos IF their based on anything at all (It’s more likely a mash on many animals in my opinion, that would make senses with the Pokedex entries), Mew based on a joey and Mewtwo based on a full-grown kangaroo. And the Pokedex entries? Let me list just a few: “Mew is said to possess the genetic composition of all Pokemon.” “I’ts DNA is said to contain the genetic codes of all Pokemon, so it can use all kinds of techniques.” That Maine Coon seems cool, most I’ve seen are tabbies with raccoon-like striped tails (hence name “Maine Coon”). Nothing Eevee like at all besides maybe lots of floof.

Mewtwo is made of Mew’s DNA and is also called Mew’s offspring. A cat Pokemon that gave birth to a non felinoid? I think Mew’s based off a a kangaroo joey if anything at all.

Mew is a mix of all Pokemon species, this is said in Pokedex entries such as “Mew is said to possess the genetic composition of all Pokemon.” and, less definitely, “Many believe that all other Pokemon are descendants as this one.” I can certainly keep listing more. If anything, Mew might be loosely based on a cat, or, I think more likely, a kangaroo joey. It’s disproportionate feet and small, slightly pointed ears match well.

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.

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

Read “You Missed One!” section.

Read the “You Missed One!” section for an explanation on that.

I know! Thats why I chose litten too… INcinaroar was just dissapointing.

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?

YesSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! MY WHOLE LIFE IS BASED ON LITTEN!!

I believe that Absol is a canine pokémon.

Oops my bad… theyre there.

tbh i think espeon is more of a cat than all the eevees, which look like foxes, but espeon still kinda looks like a fox.

Victini is SO a fox!!! And yes, espurr and meowstic ARE missing

this is not a countdown, and i object… incineroar 4 da winnnnnnnn!!!!!

I’m sure that’s true, and if there is one legendary pokemon that i connect with, it HAS to be raikou.

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.

But it still looks like a cat

BTW I can’t stop loving Incineroar and Zeraora!

Zangoose is based off a mongoose

Yeah yours

Thanks for pointing that out, it will be fixed!

Thanks for your comment!

This is purely based on “cat inspired Pokemon” as a single inspirational species. Solgaleo is inspiration from a lion and Incineroar is still just a cat who is standing on two feet like some of the others on the list. The legendary beasts are based on folklore and mythical creatures in Japan and China. They are not simply a cat or a dog but a merger of several animals with different meanings.

Raikou = Raijū (Thunder Beast)
Entei = Komainu (Dog Lion)
Suicune = Qilin (a variation of one)

While they are all indeed displaying feline characteristics, they are not based on cats as animals but physical creatures in their own right.

At the end of the day, none of these are cats they are simply “cat inspired” characters.

I really think you should include the Legendary Beasts on here. Like the first commenter pointed out they are very clearly based on different large cats and the explanation that “beast” implies an amalgam of animal parts isn’t really correct, the term beast just implies a large intimidating animal and nothing else. Besides, with that logic you shouldn’t have included Incineroar or Solgaleo on the list either, they’re also not based exclusively on cats and take inspiration from elsewhere, a wrestler and the sun respectively.

Nope, the article is correct. The white variation is female and the blue one is male.

Thanks for your comment Jirachi Kitty.

Espurr is a bipedal feline, which means a cat walking on 2 legs. Victini is based on the “Victory” Goddess, Nike. In form it resembles a rabbit, not a cat.

Thanks for your comment Pinamena Pie. Yes, you have some valid points there but they are still considered “beasts” in that they are made from multiple animals, not just one. The list above is pure cats, nothing else.

“Entei may be based on Chinese guardian lions, or Lions of Foo, creatures that resemble fully grown male lions. They are often confused with canines and incorrectly called “Foo Dogs” by Westerners. Their original significance was serving as guardians (like gargoyles upon churches) at Buddhist temples. The image of a ferocious beast would scare intruders away. This correlates with Entei being seen as a guardian in the third movie, protecting Molly and her allies.
Like a real lion, Entei boasts a regal mane, long retractable claws, and a strong, bulky, yet agile body. Its face is short and bears resemblance to a lion’s skull — short and wedged, but with the unique flatness that ShiShi statues also bore. The yellow design on its head could be interpreted as a stylized crown or a Kabuto helmet. In China, the lion is regarded as a symbol of power and strength. Lions are also popularly known as symbols of fire. ” — https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Entei_(Pok%C3%A9mon)#Trivia

Also, Raikou.

“Raikou may be particularly based on the Thunder and Lightning gods of most cultures surrounding the world, mostly the 雷獣らいじゅう raijū (lit. thunder beast), a thunder demon of Japanese lore and is said to be Raijin’s companion. It is said to be a creature that could take the form of a tiger, monkey, blue wolf wrapped in lightning, and many other animals. Raikou is specifically based on its tiger form, while the Pokémon Manectric is based on its wolf form.” — https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Raikou_(Pokémon)#Trivia

Thanks for your comment Hayley. As mentioned, the Eeveelutions are all based on the “elements being one” and they are fox-like creatures. Yes, Espeon does look like a cat but I can assure you they were all modeled after the fennec fox which is a small cat-like fox with large ears or at the very least some form of fox. My list is cat based Pokemon, no interpretations or mixed animal creations. It would not make sense to have Eevee (who is a fox) change into a cat.

Thanks for your comment LoleniT. My list is of “cat only” Pokemon. No mixes. Raikou is considered a “beast” because it is made up up 3 different animals… feline, canine, and rodent. If you want to interpret him as being a feline, that is up to you! This list is just very basic, no interpretations or guesses, nothing but cats.

Thanks for your comment Hear me roar. That was a long one! As mentioned in my post, I felt “some” of the eeveelutions look mostly like cats (Espeon being the main one) which is why I mentioned them. Most also act like cats in the anime. They are not included in the main list of 17 cat inspired Pokemon because, as I stated, they are clearly not full cat. They are mixed and mostly made up of being elemental foxes. Much like Fennekin, Eevee is modeled closely after the Fennec Fox. When I look at Pokemon I don’t go by the Pokedex entirely. Many of them are inspired not just by animals but by history, culture, and even religion. As for Pikachu, I refer to him as a rat as I never personally liked him. And yes, Zangoose is a mongoose 100%. I think people get confused because other animals do naturally act like cats in many ways. Anyways, thank you for the comment and I am glad you enjoyed it… well, other then the Eevee bit. I agree that Eevee is clearly a fox. No argument there.

Because they are not cats? People don’t forget them, they don’t add them on purpose. They might have some cat like qualities, but that does not make them cats. Most pokemon are mixes of things. What defies if they are close to a real life animal or object is what they are based on most. If a pokemon is 80% cat 20% something else I say it qualifies as cat. if it’s 50/50 or less it does not. Weavile and Sneasel are 50/50 AT BEST but there is a chance they are just weasels and aren’t cats at all. Don’t take bulbapedia/or english pokedex to seriously as it’s often filled with bad translations or wrong information. You want to know for yourself what is the truth? The REAL truth? Learn japanese and read the japanese pokedex. Thats the only true canon of pokemon information as thats the direct source. Also a lot of pokemon get new voice overs in america and lose their original japanese voices as many japanese names are different from english ones. I don’t know if it does a Meow! in japanese pokken game. If it does check if the sound does not also resemble what a weasel sounds like (some animals make similar sounds to cats, and vice versa). If a weasel sounds nothing like that, and the japanese version meows, then it could be part cat. Even then it would only be part cat at best, and not an actual cat based pokemon. But a weasel based pokemon, who happens to have a little cat to it as well.

I din’t know, but ik Pokkén, when he uses synergy burst attack he litterely screams “Meow!”

“Weavile is a bipedal, weasel-like Pokémon with a pale gray body and several feathery areas.” -bulbapedia

Weavile is a weasel with cat-like characteristics. His appearance is a tribal/Aztec like design. The yellow gem on its head is “the sun” and the fan is the universe. It is meant to be a tribal pack-Pokemon.

Also…Weasels clean themselves just like cats do as well!

They are based of Cats and weasels, or Tats What buldapedia shas

Ok, I get your point. But sometimes when you win with weavile in pokkén tournament, iT washes himshelfs like A cat does.

Thanks for your comment Pacat. Actually, they are considered weasels. That fall under the “cat-like” category like Snorlax where they appear to have cat characteristics but are not cats.