If you have ever looked at your own cat and thought “I wish I could battle with you,” then cat pokemon are the answer to a very specific dream. These feline-inspired creatures have been a staple of the franchise since Red and Blue launched in 1996, and they remain some of the most popular designs in the entire Pokedex. This guide breaks down the best cat pokemon by battle viability, design quality, and overall charm, so you can decide which one deserves a spot on your roster.
Quick Answer: The best cat pokemon overall is Meowscarada for competitive battles, while Umbreon wins on design and fan loyalty. For pure nostalgia, Persian and Delcatty still hold up as classic feline picks.
What Counts as a Cat Pokemon?
Not every creature with whiskers qualifies. The Pokemon franchise has always blurred the line between house cats, big cats, and mythological felines, so the definition matters. A true cat pokemon typically draws direct inspiration from domestic cats, wildcats, or feline deities in terms of body shape, behavior, or naming.
The most obvious examples include Meowth, Skitty, Glameow, Purrloin, Litleo, and Sprigatito. Their evolution lines stay consistently feline, which makes them easy to categorize. Some fans also include big cat designs like Luxray (based on a lynx) and Raikou (a saber-toothed tiger), though purists argue those belong in a separate “big cat” category.
What matters for this guide is simple: if it has cat ears, whiskers, retractable claws, or a tail that flicks with attitude, it makes the list. That includes regional variants like Alolan Meowth and Galarian Meowth, which change the typing but keep the feline core.
Pro Tip: When searching the Pokedex by category, look for the “Scratch Cat,” “Classy Cat,” “Tiger Cat,” or “Grass Cat” species labels. These are the official in-game classifications for feline designs.
The 15 Best Cat Pokemon Ranked
This ranking weighs three factors equally: competitive viability, design originality, and how well the pokemon captures actual cat behavior. A pokemon that looks like a cat but acts like a dog loses points.
| Rank | Pokemon | Type | Generation | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Meowscarada | Grass/Dark | Gen 9 | Fast special attacker with signature move Flower Trick |
| 2 | Incineroar | Fire/Dark | Gen 7 | Dominant VGC support with Intimidate and Fake Out |
| 3 | Umbreon | Dark | Gen 2 | Bulky wall with incredible defensive typing |
| 4 | Luxray | Electric | Gen 4 | Fan-favorite lynx design with Intimidate |
| 5 | Persian | Normal | Gen 1 | The original classy cat with Technician boosted attacks |
| 6 | Delcatty | Normal | Gen 3 | Adorable but underpowered, a collector’s favorite |
| 7 | Liepard | Dark | Gen 5 | Fast pivot with Prankster support moves |
| 8 | Pyroar | Fire/Normal | Gen 6 | Lion-inspired royal design with gender differences |
| 9 | Espeon | Psychic | Gen 2 | Magic Bounce makes it a competitive staple |
| 10 | Meowth | Normal | Gen 1 | Iconic anime mascot with Pay Day utility |
| 11 | Purugly | Normal | Gen 4 | Surprisingly bulky for a cat design |
| 12 | Espurr | Psychic | Gen 6 | Creepy-cute kitten with intense stare |
| 13 | Zangoose | Normal | Gen 3 | Mongoose-cat hybrid with Toxic Boost ability |
| 14 | Raikou | Electric | Gen 2 | Legendary saber-tooth tiger with speed |
| 15 | Sprigatito | Grass | Gen 9 | Starter kitten that evolves into a magician |
Meowscarada takes the top spot because Flower Trick never misses and always lands critical hits, making it a consistent threat in competitive play. Incineroar ranks second because it has dominated VGC doubles formats since its introduction in Sun and Moon. Umbreon earns third place as one of the best defensive walls in the game, with a stat spread that lets it absorb hits that would flatten most other pokemon.
That said, competitive strength is not everything. Delcatty and Purugly rank lower on battle utility but score high on personality. Delcatty’s evolution from Skitty requires a Moon Stone, and its gentle demeanor captures the lazy house cat energy perfectly.
Why Cat Pokemon Are So Popular
Cats dominate the internet, and Pokemon is no exception. The franchise has leaned into feline designs for nearly three decades because they tap into something universal. People who love cats see their own pets in these creatures, and people who do not own cats still recognize the archetypes: the aloof Persian, the mischievous Purrloin, the fierce Pyroar.
The original Meowth in the anime gave cat pokemon a personality anchor. Team Rocket’s Meowth could talk, walked on two legs, and had a tragic backstory involving a female Meowth named Meowzie. That character work cemented Meowth as one of the most recognizable pokemon in the world, rivaling Pikachu in name recognition.
Game Freak has also used cat pokemon to explore different design directions. Glameow and Purugly subvert expectations by making the evolution less conventionally attractive, which is a bold choice. Litleo and Pyroar introduce gender-based visual differences that mirror real lion dimorphism. Espurr leans into the uncanny valley with eyes that stare through you, which some fans find adorable and others find unsettling.
Pro Tip: If you are building a themed team, pair a cat pokemon with a mouse pokemon like Pikachu or Dedenne. The predator-prey dynamic adds a fun narrative layer to casual battles.
Cat Pokemon by Generation: A Complete Breakdown
Every generation since Gen 1 has introduced at least one feline design. Here is the full list organized by region.
Generation 1 (Kanto)
- Meowth and Persian: The original cat line, based on Japanese lucky cat statues and Persian cats
- Mew and Mewtwo: Often described as feline in appearance, especially Mewtwo’s cat-like ears and tail
Generation 2 (Johto)
- Espeon and Umbreon: Eeveelutions with distinctly cat-like features
- Raikou: Legendary beast inspired by the saber-toothed tiger
- Sneasel: Weasel-cat hybrid with sharp claws
Generation 3 (Hoenn)
- Skitty and Delcatty: The quintessential cute cat line
- Zangoose: Mongoose design with strong cat energy
Generation 4 (Sinnoh)
- Glameow and Purugly: The “ugly cute” cat line
- Shinx, Luxio, and Luxray: Lynx-inspired electric cats
- Weavile: Evolved form of Sneasel with more pronounced feline traits
Generation 5 (Unova)
- Purrloin and Liepard: Dark-type cats based on leopards and mischievous kittens
Generation 6 (Kalos)
- Litleo and Pyroar: Lion cub and adult lion with gender differences
- Espurr and Meowstic: Psychic cats with hidden power
Generation 7 (Alola)
- Litten, Torracat, and Incineroar: Fire-type starter line that ends as a wrestler cat
- Alolan Meowth and Alolan Persian: Dark-type regional variants
Generation 8 (Galar)
- Galarian Meowth and Perrserker: Steel-type variant based on Viking cats
- Yamper and Boltund: Dog pokemon, but Yamper’s face has cat-like qualities
Generation 9 (Paldea)
- Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada: Grass-type starter line with magician theme
- Chien-Pao: Legendary snow leopard with sword fangs
How to Choose the Right Cat Pokemon for Your Team
Choosing a cat pokemon depends on what you need in battle and what you value in a design. Competitive players should look at typing, ability, and movepool first. Casual players can pick based on pure aesthetics.
For competitive singles battles, Meowscarada and Incineroar are the clear standouts. Meowscarada’s 123 base Speed and 110 base Attack make it a fast physical threat, and its Protean ability lets it change type to match its moves. Incineroar’s Intimidate ability lowers the opponent’s Attack on switch-in, which is why it appears on nearly every VGC doubles team.
For defensive play, Umbreon is unmatched among cat pokemon. Its 95 base HP, 110 base Defense, and 130 base Special Defense let it stall out opponents with Wish, Protect, and Toxic. Espeon offers a different kind of utility with Magic Bounce, which reflects status moves and entry hazards back at the opponent.
For pure fun, Delcatty and Persian offer charm without competitive pressure. Persian’s Technician ability boosts moves with 60 base power or less, making it surprisingly usable in casual play with moves like Fake Out and Bite.
Pro Tip: Check the nature of your cat pokemon before committing to a build. A Timid Meowscarada with max Speed EVs outspeeds most of the metagame, while a Bold Umbreon with Defense investment becomes nearly unkillable.
Key Takeaways
- Cat pokemon have appeared in every generation since 1996, with over 20 distinct feline designs
- Meowscarada is the strongest cat pokemon for competitive singles, while Incineroar dominates VGC doubles
- Umbreon and Espeon offer the best defensive and support options among feline designs
- The original Meowth remains the most iconic cat pokemon thanks to its anime role
- Regional variants like Alolan Meowth and Galarian Meowth add type diversity to the feline roster
Frequently Asked Questions About Cat Pokemon
Q: What is the strongest cat pokemon?
A: Meowscarada is the strongest cat pokemon for competitive singles play, with base stats of 530 and the signature move Flower Trick, which always lands critical hits. Incineroar is the strongest for VGC doubles formats due to its Intimidate ability and support movepool.
Q: How many cat pokemon are there in total?
A: There are approximately 25 to 30 cat pokemon depending on how strictly you define the category. The core list includes Meowth, Persian, Skitty, Delcatty, Glameow, Purugly, Purrloin, Liepard, Litleo, Pyroar, Espurr, Meowstic, Litten, Torracat, Incineroar, Sprigatito, Floragato, and Meowscarada, plus regional variants and big cat designs like Luxray and Raikou.
Q: What is the cutest cat pokemon?
A: Skitty is widely considered the cutest cat pokemon, with its pink fur, tiny size, and playful personality. Sprigatito also ranks high among fans who prefer the modern anime-style designs.
Q: Is Meowth based on a real cat breed?
A: Meowth is based on the Japanese Maneki-neko, or lucky cat figurine, which is a common sight in Japanese shops and restaurants. Its coin on the forehead references the koban coin that Maneki-neko statues often hold.
Q: What is the best cat pokemon for a beginner?
A: Litten is the best cat pokemon for beginners because it is a starter pokemon from Gen 7, which means you get it at the start of the game. It evolves into the powerful Incineroar and has a straightforward Fire-type moveset.
Q: Are there any legendary cat pokemon?
A: Yes, Raikou is a legendary Electric-type pokemon based on the saber-toothed tiger. Chien-Pao from Gen 9 is also a legendary pokemon based on a snow leopard. Mew and Mewtwo have feline features but are not officially classified as cat pokemon.
Q: What is the weakest cat pokemon?
A: Delcatty is generally considered the weakest cat pokemon, with base stats totaling only 380 and no strong offensive or defensive niche. It is a Normal-type with a shallow movepool, which limits its usefulness in battle.
Q: Which cat pokemon can learn Pay Day?
A: Meowth and Persian are the primary users of Pay Day, a Normal-type move that scatters coins on the battlefield and earns extra money after the battle. Galarian Meowth and Perrserker can also learn the move.
References & Further Reading
Further reading: Campo de Montalbán on Wikipedia
- Pokemon Database: Cat Pokemon List
- Bulbapedia: Meowth
- Serebii: Pokemon of the Week Archive
- Smogon University: Competitive Pokemon Analysis
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About This Article: This guide was written by a Pokemon fan who has played every mainline game since Red and Blue, with additional competitive experience in VGC doubles and Smogon singles formats. The rankings reflect both personal experience and community consensus from competitive play data.