The Pokémon franchise has added over 1,000 different Pokémon since it all began back in 1996. While some Pokémon designs are completely fantastical or based on inanimate objects, many are based on regular, everyday animals. From fish to birds to axolotls, just about every type of animal on earth has been Pokémon-ized at some point.
Among one of the most popular base animals for Pokémon is cats. Pokémon have been based on domesticated cats, lions, tigers, and more since Generation I. In the years since, some of the game’s earliest cat Pokémon have even received new regional forms and updated looks.
Thanks to the massive amount of ‘mons out there, it can be hard to keep track of which ones are cat-based. Fear no more, cat lovers: we’ve compiled a list of every single cat species in the Pokémon franchise for your enjoyment.
A note before we get started: While there has been debate regarding whether certain Pokémon are truly based on cats, most notably Mew and Mewtwo, we’ve decided to restrict this list to Pokémon who very obviously have cat-like features or belong to a similar class of big cats (lions, tigers, etc.). We’re also not including any Mega, Dynamax, or Gigantamax forms, but we will include regional forms.
All cats in the Pokémon franchise
Meowth & Persian
Meowth is perhaps the most well-known cat Pokémon. It grew to popularity thanks to its prominence in the Pokémon anime alongside Team Rocket members Jessie and James. Its cat-like features are obvious, but it also incorporates parts of the traditional Japanese maneki-neko (“beckoning cat”) figure in the coin on its forehead and its outstretched arm.
The evolved form of Meowth, Persian looks the most like your traditional feline. Boasting the same beige coat and a shiny gem embedded on its forehead, it’s undoubtedly a more powerful Meowth. Persian appeared in the Pokémon anime as part of Team Rocket leader Giovanni’s team.
Alolan Meowth & Alolan Persian
Starting with Pokémon Sun and Moon, the team at Game Freak began introducing new regional variants of existing Pokémon. Alolan Meowth has a similar appearance to the species’ standard form, but it has a different type: Dark rather than Normal. This variant has a different coloring, bigger ears, and a more relaxed demeanor.
Like Alolan Meowth, Alolan Persian is a Dark-type. It looks a little too close to Garfield for us thanks to its much more round head and curved whiskers. Both it and Alolan Meowth can be found in the Alola region and are said to have evolved differently thanks to different conditions on the region’s islands.
Galarian Meowth & Perrserker
Added to the franchise with Pokémon Sword and Shield, Galarian Meowth offers the biggest changes to the species’ look. This version has a much fluffier coat of fur and, unlike the other two variants, doesn’t share the sinister demeanor. Instead, it has a much more wild and untamed appearance to go along with its Steel typing.
Unlike Alolan Persian, Perrserker is a completely different evolution for Meowth. It evolves from Galarian Meowth and shares that Pokémon’s Steel typing. Known as the Viking Pokemon, this influence can be seen in its horns and the dagger-like appearance of its claws.
Eevee & evolutions
Eevee has the distinction of having the highest number of possible evolutions of any Pokemon in the franchise. It all began with Flareon, Jolteon, and Vaporeon in Gen I, when exposed to the right evolution stone, before Espeon and Umbreon in Gen II added the night-and-day cycle to the process.
In Gen IV, Leafeon and Glaceon’s arrival resulted in going back to the stone-evo route, using the Leaf Stone and Ice Stone, before Gen V introduced the Fairy-type Sylveon and a requirement that needed a high friendship level and Eevee knowing a Fairy move.
Eevee and all eight of its evolutions possess the same cat-like ears and legs, making them among the favorites in the community.
Raikou, Entei & Suicune
The legendary trio of Raikou, Entei, and Suicune from Gen II all have cat-like features, the most obvious of which is Raikou’s likeness to a saber-tooth tiger. The trio are all based on felines, however, despite the common misconception they are dogs.
The Gen II trio are follow-ons from the Legendary Birds in Gen I; Zapdos, Moltres, and Articuno, featuring Electric, Fire, and Water-typing. The legendary trio format continues in the franchise, most recently with the Loyal Three of Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti.
Skitty & Delcatty
Skitty is one of the more obvious cat Pokemon. This adorable pink puffball can be found in Hoenn and has a sleek fur coat. Its tail looks something like a flower thanks to the three pods standing off the end. It’s not very powerful, but that doesn’t matter when it’s this cute.
The evolution of Skitty, Delcatty boasts a similar aesthetic to Skitty but on a larger, more purple scale. Outside of its size, other notable changes include its tail and new scarf piece, which gives it something of a fashionable appearance.
Shinx, Luxio & Luxray
A Pokémon introduced in Generation IV, Shinx is inspired by lynx cubs. The species has a yellow star-shaped tail that gives away its Electric typing. It’s one of the most iconic and powerful Pokemon in Sinnoh.
The evolution of Shinx, Luxio keeps many of the base design features while adding more black accents that look like armor around its head. Middle evolutions traditionally get less love than base forms and final evolutions, but Luxio is a great Pokémon in its own right.
Luxio evolves into Luxray. This final evolution for the species boasts a fully developed armor-like fur coating that looks a lot like a lion’s mane. Despite being substantially larger, Luxray still maintains the obvious influences found in the design of its previous forms, mixing the features of lynxes and lions to form something wholly unique.
Glameow & Purugly
Another species influenced by the domestic cat, Glameow can be identified by its unique curly tail. Much like Alolan Meowth, it always seems as though it’s looking down its nose at you.
In one of Pokémon‘s most dramatic evolution shifts, Glameow becomes Purugly. In this evolved state the sleek thin figure is gone in favor of a stocky build. The one thing that does remain is its unique curly tail, but it looks as thought it would never let you get within a mile of it.
Purrloin & Liepard
Despite having the word lion in its name, Purrloin more closely resembles a leopard cub or domestic housecat. Much like real-life cats, its has a smug appearance, but that’s where the similarities end. Its purple fur and scraggly tail set it apart from the rest.
Liepard can be identified by its yellow circles and purple coat. These spots are most similar to a leopard, which makes a lot of sense given the species name. The shape and coloring of its face almost look like a supervillain mask, hence its Dark typing.
Litleo & Pyroar
Known as the Lion Cub Pokémon, Litleo is the spitting image of a lion cub with a unique red mane. This mane almost looks like a tiny flame, giving a hint at what its type is and what it will evolve into next.
In its evolved state, Litleo’s influence is undeniable. Pyroar is one of a handful of Pokémon where males and females have different appearances. In this case, the difference is based on real-life tigers: the males have an impressive mane surrounding their faces, while the female’s mane protrudes from the top of its head.
Espurr & Meowstic
Another cat-type species that walks on two legs, Espurr has a unique look to match its Psychic typing. Its introduction in Pokémon X and Y prompted many memes about its blank stare and empty mind.
Meowstic is the evolved form of Espurr. Like Pyroar, it has different forms for the males and females. While they share a similar design, with a fluffy coat and bipedal stance, the males of this species are predominantly blue with white accents, while the females are the opposite.
Litten, Torracat & Incineroar
Litten was introduced in Generation VII as the Fire-type starter Pokémon in Sun and Moon. This species boasts a kitten-like appearance with a black and red coat, jagged whiskers, and a watchful gaze.
The first evolution of Litten, Torracat boasts a similar look to its previous form, but it’s slightly larger. It also gets a circular charm around its neck that almost looks like a collar. Torracat is more confident than its predecessor, which gives it more charm.
The wrestler-styled Pokémon, Incineroar is a stark shift in design from its previous evolutions. Incineroar is much larger than both Litten and Torracat, and it walks on two legs. The most notable feature of this species is its stocky build. The similarities kept throughout these evolutions are the fur color and design as well as the feline-like features.
Solgaleo
The cover species of Pokémon Sun, Solgaleo is clearly inspired by a lion given its clever use of its solar-themed mane. This species has a striking design, boasting a standout white, yellow, and orange color palette. It also has what looks like a galaxy pattern around its eyes, fueling the idea that it’s a powerful, ancient Pokémon.
Zeraora
Also introduced in the Sun and Moon games, Zeraora boasts a feline-like appearance while standing on two feet. This Electric-type Pokémon has bright yellow fur coating with black and blue accents and two very powerful-looking paws.
Sprigatito, Floragato & Meowscarada
Debuting in Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, Sprigatito is the Grass-type starter for Gen IX. It’s distinct design makes it very obvious that this Pokémon is styled on a cat, with those themes maintaining throughout it’s evolution line.
Floragato retains cat-like features despite moving to a bipedal stance, with the ears and paws standing out, and, while Meowscarada loses the cat-like ears, it retains the paws and is still very obviously a cat. Like Incineroar, this final evolution is a bipedal cat.
Chien-Pao
Chien-Pao is one of many legendary Pokémon in Scarlet and Violet, unlocked in the base game after pulling eight orange and gold stakes out of the ground in Paldea. It’s Pokédex entry reveals the swords that make up it’s saber-tooth teeth helped to form the Pokémon, fueled by “the hatred of those who perished by the sword long ago.”
Chien-Pao‘s cat-like features are prominent, with the entire design replicating a saber-tooth tiger and a snow leopard.
