Cat Pokémon

These 34 Pokémon are based on real-life cats. Some Pokémon are based on tame house cats while others on lions, lynxes and tigers. Each Pokémon in the list names the breed or legend behind the design, like the Scottish Fold behind Espurr or the maneki-neko lucky cat that inspired Meowth.

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Displaying 34 of 34 Pokémon.

#052

Meowth

Based on the maneki-neko, Japan's beckoning lucky cat

#052

Alolan Meowth

Based on a British Shorthair, a pampered royal pet

#052

Galarian Meowth

Based on a Norwegian Forest Cat and the Vikings

#053

Persian

Based on the cougar and the Siamese cat

#053

Alolan Persian

Based on a British Shorthair, with a royal smile

#151

Mew

Based on a house cat, with an embryo’s features

#196

Espeon

Based on the nekomata, a forked-tail cat spirit

#243

Raikou

Based on a tiger, with a saber-toothed cat’s fangs

#244

Entei

Based on a lion and East Asian guardian lions

#245

Suicune

Based on a leopard and the qilin

#300

Skitty

Based on a kitten, with a tail like a cat toy

#301

Delcatty

Based on an elegant domestic cat

#403

Shinx

Based on a lion cub and the sphinx

#404

Luxio

Based on a young lion and the sphinx

#405

Luxray

Based on an adult lion and the sphinx

#431

Glameow

Based on a cat, likely the Devon Rex

#432

Purugly

Based on an overweight tabby cat

#509

Purrloin

A sneaky cat inspired by cat burglars

#510

Liepard

Based on a house cat and a leopard

#645

Landorus Therian

Based on the White Tiger of Chinese myth

#667

Litleo

Based on a lion cub

#668

Pyroar

Based on a lion

#677

Espurr

Based on a Scottish Fold kitten

#678

Meowstic

Based on the Scottish Fold and the nekomata cat spirit

#725

Litten

Based on tabby and black cat kittens

#726

Torracat

Based on a tabby cat with a tiger's coloring

#727

Incineroar

Based on a tiger and a heel pro wrestler

#791

Solgaleo

Based on a lion with a sun motif

#807

Zeraora

Based on a tiger and the raijū, a lightning beast

#863

Perrserker

Based on a cat and a Viking warrior

#906

Sprigatito

Based on a long-haired kitten

#907

Floragato

Based on a cat with Siamese-style markings

#908

Meowscarada

Based on the Iberian lynx and a stage magician

#1002

Chien-Pao

Based on a snow leopard and a saber-toothed cat

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Pokémon are based on cats?

There are 34 Pokémon based on cats, counting regional forms: Meowth, Alolan Meowth, Galarian Meowth, Persian, Alolan Persian, Mew, Espeon, Raikou, Entei, Suicune, Skitty, Delcatty, Shinx, Luxio, Luxray, Glameow, Purugly, Purrloin, Liepard, Landorus (Therian Forme), Litleo, Pyroar, Espurr, Meowstic, Litten, Torracat, Incineroar, Solgaleo, Zeraora, Perrserker, Sprigatito, Floragato, Meowscarada and Chien-Pao.

Is Luxio a cat?

Yes. Luxio is based on a young lion and the sphinx, the lion of myth. Its whole family, Shinx, Luxio and Luxray, is on this list.

Is Sneasel a cat?

Partly. Sneasel mixes a cat with the kamaitachi, a weasel spirit from Japanese folklore. Because its design is part weasel, it isn't on this list.

What is the strongest cat Pokémon?

Solgaleo has the highest base stat total of any cat Pokémon, at 680. Mew, Zeraora and Landorus in its Therian Forme are next at 600, then Raikou, Entei and Suicune at 580.

What was the first cat Pokémon?

Meowth, #52 in the National Pokédex, is the first cat Pokémon by number. It debuted with its evolved form, Persian, in Pokémon Red and Green in 1996.

Are Raikou, Entei and Suicune cats?

Yes. Fans often call them the legendary dogs, but Raikou is based on a tiger, Entei on a lion and Suicune partly on a leopard, so all three are on this list.