If you're looking for a list of the best cat Pokémon, you're in the right place. We've put together a list of the finest felines in all of the Pokémon world, from famous chatty cats like Meowth to underappreciated kitties like Delcatty. The only way to find out if you agree with our list or not is to keep on reading.
For more Pokémon inspired by real-world animals, check out our dog Pokemon, bird Pokémon, fish Pokémon, bunny Pokémon, and snake Pokémon guides. Or, if you're a trainer in need of a new experience, see our list of the best free Pokémon games.
Who are all the cat Pokémon?
Just before we jump into our list of picks for the best cat Pokémon, it's worthwhile to revisit the long list, as the Pokémon world has no shortage of felines. So, here are all the cat Pokémon:
- Meowth / Persian
- Alolan Meowth / Alolan Persian
- Galarian Meowth / Perrserker
- Espeon
- Raikou
- Skitty / Delcatty
- Shinx / Luxio / Luxray
- Litten / Torracat / Incineroar
- Glameow / Purugly
- Purrloin / Liepard
- Espurr / Meowstic
- Litleo / Pyroar
- Solgaleo
- Zeraora
- Sprigatito / Floragato / Meowscarada
- Chien-Pao
The best cat Pokémon
Meowth
You can't have a list of the best cat Pokémon without Meowth. Thanks to consistent appearances in the anime as part of Team Rocket, this iconic feline is one of the most recognizable Pokémon across all generations, sitting alongside Pikachu and Jigglypuff in the category of Pokémon your mom might know. Meowth isn't just famous for its TV work, though. It's also a popular in-game option when replaying the first-generation games, as access to the move Pay Day can boost your in-game coffers before heading to the nearest Pokémart.
Perrserker
There's just something so great about taking Meowth and giving it a Norse-inspired flavor, only to then have an evolution that takes this further as it pays tribute to the infamous berserker soldiers of the time. Perrserker has such a weird design, but it is just so lovable with its little Viking horns, and the new steel typing makes it an interesting version of what came before. As far as Galarian Pokémon go, Perrserker is easily one of my favorites.
Litten
While Incineroar might be something of a terrifying beast, it starts life as the lovely Litten. This little black cat is a simple design, as is often the case with starter Pokémon, but has just enough design flair to stand out from the crowd. While it's always a difficult choice to decide between Rowley and Litten during a Pokémon Sun and Moon playthrough - sorry, Popplio - I almost always choose this fire-type tabby.
Espurr
Espurr might not be as well-known as the likes of Litten and Meowth, but it's still one of our favorite cat Pokémon. Just look at it; look how surprised it is to see you. At least, that's what we're assuming, because unlike a lot of the other felines of the Pokémon world, Espurr is less cute and more, well, weird. Still, we love a weird Pokémon here at Pocket Tactics, and better still, it evolves into Meowstic, another underrated gen six 'mon that could just as easily have made it onto this list.
Solgaleo
Not content with just having one great cat Pokémon, Sun and Moon delivered this chunky boy, as box legendary Solgaleo represented the Sun side of the two games. Based on a lion, this psychic and steel-type hybrid is a really interesting mix that actually provides nice type coverage, and its signature move, Sunsteel Strike, is one you don't want to get in the way of. If all that wasn't enough, Solgaleo ex happens to be a big part of one of the best Pokémon TCG Pocket decks, securing its place as a series icon.
Espeon
Okay, so this might be a controversial one, but whether you like it or not, Espeon is a cat Pokémon. Look at those ears, look at that tail and those sweet little paws, and tell me this psychic type isn't a cat. If you need more evidence, it's a little-known fact that Espeon's design is influenced by the Nekomata, a specific feline belonging to Japanese folklore. It's also just too elegant not to include on this list, especially if Solgaleo makes the cut.
Sprigatito
Sprigatito was a favorite of the Pocket Tactics crew from the moment we first saw it in the build-up to the release of Pokémon Scarlet & Violet. It's another cat Pokémon starter, yes, but it's an incredibly cute one and the first grass type to fall under the category of feline. Its final evolution, Meowscarada, might be a bit more divisive, but few can grumble at Sprigatito's adorable design.
Delcatty
I've got a real soft spot for Delcatty, as my first Pokémon game was Ruby, and I just so happened to pick up a Skitty on my adventure through Hoenn. Sure, it's not the best battler, even if Uproar can occasionally deal some serious damage thanks to normal-type STAB damage, and its design isn't the most imaginative of the litany of cat Pokémon, but it holds a special place in my heart, and that means it's making the list. I don't want to hear any arguments.
Luxray
While a lot of the entries on our guide to the best cat Pokémon are certified cuties, we couldn't leave out the big, bad lion that is Luxray. Arriving in Pokémon Diamond & Pearl, this electric type is one of the Pokémon world's fiercest felines, thanks in part to its base 120 attack stat, which makes moves such as Wild Charge and Thunder Fang hit extra hard. If all that wasn't enough, Luxray also has a fantastic shiny form, swapping its blue body for a glorious gold befitting a true lion.
Litleo
Litleo is an adorable little lion cub, and in our opinion, it's a cat Pokémon that doesn't get as much attention as it deserves. With its big eyes, slick mohawk, and dangling tongue, you had to be heartless not to pick up a Litleo during your adventure through Kalos, especially when its evolved form, Pyroar, is so handy in battle.
Chien-Pao
Like Solgaleo, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's Chien-Pao is more of a big cat Pokémon than it is a domesticated feline, but would you want something like this sitting on your couch or nuzzling up against you? It's a part of the Paldea region's legendary Ruinous Quartet, alongside Chi-Yu, Wo-Chien, and Ting-Lu, and draws inspiration for its design from Chinese mythology. Not only that, but it's a bit of a beast in battle, with top-tier speed and attack stats, plus its ice/dark typing, making it a great option for taking on any dragons or psychic-type Pokémon.
Is there a legendary cat Pokémon?
If you were paying close attention to our list, you'd already know the answer to this, but yes, there are a couple of legendary cat Pokémon. Solgaleo, of Pokémon Sun fame, is a lion, so it's more of a big cat Pokémon, but it counts, and the same goes for Scarlet and Violet's Chien-Pao. There's also Zeraora, a fellow generation seven Pokémon. Mew might look like a skinless kitty, but the mythical 'mon's design is supposed to represent an ancient species rather than any cat species.
Not only are there a couple of legendary cat Pokémon, but as of Pokémon Legends: Z-A, there's now also a feline with a Mega Evolution in the form of Mega Pyroar. Its design makes the lion's mane even more majestic, and it's even more heavy-hitting in battle, even if it's still susceptible to super-effective damage from over five different typings.
There you have it, the best cat Pokémon in our opinion. If you're still looking for more Pokémon content, keep your kittens alive with our normal Pokémon weakness, grass Pokémon weakness, psychic Pokémon weakness, and steel Pokémon weakness guides. Or, if these aren't the monsters you're looking for, see our list of the best Digimon games.