Whether revered, reviled, or simply ignored, cats have in general not been served well by religious beliefs. Being regarded as sacred animals in pagan religions of the past may have placed cats among the gods, but for millions of them it also guaranteed a sacrificial death. With the rise of Christianity it became even more … Read more
Clever and helpful, or devious and downright sneaky, the cats in traditional folk tales have a mixed reputation. The way they are represented reflects how people across generations and in various countries have understood, and frequently misunderstood, the character of the average domestic feline. The cat-and-mouse theme is especially prevalent and appears in many cultures … Read more
Cats need some excitement in their lives to ensure their physical and mental well-being—especially indoor pets that are left alone at home all day. With a little thought and commitment, you can give your cat a fun home life. Playing games together is a positive way of interacting with your cat, but you should also … Read more
For the most part, cats have been sidelined in adult literature, making appearances as major players largely in books for children. Some literary cats are more realistic than others, but even the most fantastic usually have qualities that are instantly recognizable as feline. Often, the creators of fictional cats have used their own pets as … Read more
The internet has no shortage of cute cat content. People love watching funny feline antics and adorable cat pictures. In 2024, some cats have risen to international stardom thanks to viral social media posts showcasing their charming personalities. Here are some of the cutest internet-famous cats stealing hearts right now. Lil Bub One of the … Read more
Whether you love cats or hate ‘em, we can all agree, no other cats have a rap quite like black cats. While black cats are tied to Halloween, black magic and misfortune, there’s significantly more to them than unpleasant stuff. Learn more about them, how they became Halloween symbols, the places where they bring luck, … Read more
While real cat stars are scarce, plenty of cartoon cats have earned a place in movie history. The prototype was Felix the Cat, an odd little character that became famous in silent animated films of the 1920s and remains popular in comic books and on television. Felix was followed by the clownish black-and-white Sylvester featured … Read more
When I was six, I met my first real cat—a scruffy orange tabby named Oliver who lived under our neighbor’s porch. He was grumpy, fluffy, and had the confidence of a king. One summer evening, he walked right up, sat in my lap, and started purring like a tiny motorcycle. That moment changed everything for … Read more
One of the earliest ancestors of our modern cats is considered to be a meat-eating mammal named Proailurus (meaning “before cats”), which appeared in what is now Eurasia during the Oligocene epoch 34–23 million years ago. Little is known about Proailurus, but fossil remains show that it was not much larger than a domestic cat … Read more
With their lithe bodies and graceful movements, it is perhaps surprising that cats have not been represented more often in either classical or contemporary ballet. Two of the few cats in the ballet repertoire appear in the final act of Tchaikovsky’s The Sleeping Beauty (first performed in 1890) when, among other fairy-tale characters, Puss in … Read more