History Main / CatStereotype

* In the ''WesternAnimation/{{Shrek}}'' movies, Puss in Boots is a swashbuckling, wisecracking orange cat.

* The ''Anime/{{Pokemon}}'' anime actually portrayed both Meowth and Persian (a Pokémon that looks [[PantheraAwesome a bit like a cougar, unlike its namesake]]) as the mascots for Team Rocket.

* Positive portrayals of Persian cats tend to be on the [[BuffoonishTomcat buffoonish side]], due to their long, puffy hair giving them fattish appearance.

* Black Cats are bad luck is played completely straight in ''WesternAnimation/TheAdventuresOfPussInBoots'', where a curse that changes Puss' fur black is enough to cause him to become TheJinx. He meets some naturally black cats that are just as unlucky, so the bad luck is implicit in the fur color, not the curse.

* Pizzazz from ''ComicBook/JemAndTheHologramsIDW'' has a Siamese cat. The cat is a normal cat - not anymore 'evil' than normal - but their owner is a JerkAss with a temper.

* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong'' has TalkingAnimal Fu Dog face off against Yan Yan, a female hairless sphynx cat and longtime (as both have been fighting over a lucky coin during many famous periods in history such as the Ming Dynasty, 1793 France during the Revolution, 1917 during the Battle of Keilbergmelen in Germany, and even during the sinking of the ''Titanic'') enemy who masqueraded as pet of Haley's arch-rival and SpoiledBrat Olivia Mears under the name of Miss Tinkles during show-and-tell.

** Mistoffelees is the only all-black cat, described as being black from his ears to the tip of his tail. [[note]]The realities of stage production, where lighting tends to wash out all-black costumes means that the Mistoffelees cat is usually portrayed as a tuxedo cat to bring the costume to life; the cat himself, however, is described as being all-black[[/note]] He is the most mystical cat, capable of manipulating light, telekinesis and producing electricity from his paws. He is implied to have some hypnosis, illusion and voice-throwing abilities, he does possess a psychic sixth sense, and is revealed to be capable of teleporting others or himself. In the Invitation to the Jellicle Ball, his dance is paired with the all-white Victoria for colour contrast.

* WesternAnimation/{{Pete}} from the WesternAnimation/ClassicDisneyShorts is an evil, fat, black cat. [[MickeyMouse Guess who's]] his archnemesis!

* Salem from ''ComicBook/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch'' is traditionally a completely orange cat. However, due to the [[Series/SabrinaTheTeenageWitch 90s show]] he is always black nowadays, usually with some sort of white markings. He's a sarcastic, somewhat mischievous cat. Salem is actually a warlock [[BalefulPolymorph cursed to live as a cat]] due to the crimes he committed (this is also a later {{retcanon}} change caused by the LiveActionAdaptation). He's also Sabrina's {{familiar}}.

* Orange cats are also stereotyped as being sweet tempered, but not very bright. See the meme "[[https://www.reddit.com/r/WhatsWrongWithYourCat/comments/ps0mc6/all_orange_cats_share_a_single_brain_cell/ All orange cats share one brain cell]]" and "Orange cats are himbos"

With [[DogStereotype dogs]], breeds are often used as a shorthand for personality stereotypes. Cat breeds are rarely as distinctive as dog breed (certain exceptions like the Persian and the Siamese notwithstanding), see ThisIndexMeows for more about cats other than stereotypes only. So when writers want to use a cat's visual appearance to denote its personality they usually rely on its color and its fur length.

* If the orange/ginger cat has a van pattern, it is as likely to be female as male in fiction. In real life, 80% of ginger cats are male because of the way cat coat genetics work. It takes two orange (recessive) coat genes in a female cat for her to be orange due to it being X-Chromosome linked, but males with only 1 X chromosome only need a single orange gene to be a ginger.
* Orange cats are also stereotyped as being sweet tempered, but not very bright. See the meme "[[https://www.reddit.com/r/WhatsWrongWithYourCat/comments/ps0mc6/all_orange_cats_share_a_single_brain_cell/ All orange cats share one brain cell]]"

* If the orange/ginger cat has a van pattern, it is a likely to be female as male in fiction.

* The ''Film/JamesBond'' Blofeld inversion is also parodied, and then ''inverted again'', in a ''WesternAnimation/ThePowerpuffGirls'' episode, where the girls rescue a seemingly innocent white Persian from a mad scientist, only to discover that it's really the ''cat'' who was evil and the scientist was under his control.

* Often portrayed as a cat version of BaldOfEvil. If not, often portrayed as a CreepyHairlessAnimal, UglyCute or a SicklyNeuroticGeek.

* [[WhatMeasureIsANonCute Not as cute]] [[CreepyHairlessAnimal as fluffy kitties]], [[CatsAreMean so they're not as nice]]. If the RightHandCat isn't a Persian or Siamese, it's this. When CatsAreMean is invoked, Sphynx cats are often used, because the general public (or at least some small children) don't find hairless cats attractive, and therefore will [[BeautyEqualsGoodness not sympathize with them.]][[note]]In real life, Sphynx cats tend to be extremely sociable and affectionate, at least partly due to the fact that their hairlessness makes them more vulnerable to both cold weather and harsh sunlight, and therefore more dependent on humans.[[/note]] More positive portrayals will portray the Sphynx as UglyCute, energetic, and/or a CloudCuckooLander.

* ''WesternAnimation/JosieAndThePussyCats'' has Sebastian the cat as their TeamPet. Sebastian has mostly black fur, with white paws, muzzle, cheeks, and a white streak running along the crest of his head. Sebastian is often in the care of Alexandra, the troupe's TokenEvilTeammate, who has a SkunkStripe herself, and like Alexandra, Sebastian is guileful and subversive. Fortunately, Sebastian never slips into evil territory, remaining LawfulNeutral by using his guile to subvert villains.

* ''WesternAnimation/JosieAndThePussyCats'' has Sebastian the cat as their TeamPet. Sebastian has mostly black fur, with white paws, muzzle, cheeks, and a SkunkStripe running along the crest of his head. Sebastian is often in the care of Alexandra, the troupe's TokenEvilTeammate, who has a SkunkStripe herself, and like Alexandra, Sebastian is guileful and subversive. Fortunately, Sebastian never slips into evil territory, remaining LawfulNeutral by using his guile to subvert villains.

** If Tom likes a molly she will almost always be completely white-furred.

* ''WesternAnimation/JosieAndThePussyCats'' has Sebastian the cat as their TeamPet. Sebastian has mostly black fur, with white paws, muzzle, cheeks, and a SkunkStripe running along the crest of his head. Sebastian is often in the care of Alexandra, the troupe's TokenEvilTeammate, who has a SkunkStripe herself, and like Alexandra, Sebastian is guileful and subversive. Fortunately, Sebastian never slips into evil territory, remaining a LawfulNeutral by using his guile to subvert villains.

* An episode of ''WesternAnimation/AmericanDragonJakeLong'' has TalkingAnimal Fu Dog face off against Yan Yan, a female hairless sphynx cat and longtime (as both have been fighting over a lucky coin during many famous periods in history such as the Ming Dynasty, 1793 France during the Revolution, 1917 during the Battle of Keilbergmelen in Germany, and even during the sinking of the ''Titanic'') enemy who masqueraded as pet of Haley's arch-rival and SpoiledBrat Olivia Mears under the name of Miss Tinkles during Show-and-tell.

* Scratchy from ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''' ShowWithinAShow ''WesternAnimation/TheItchyAndScratchyShow'' plays the unlucky part of the black cat stereotype.

* In RealLife, they're associated with [[AllWitchesHaveCats witches]] and bad luck. [[note]]Black cats are bad luck in the US and Catholic Europe, but they're good luck in the UK, Ireland, Australia, and Asia.[[/note]] This carries over into fiction, where black cats are often unlucky at best and often outright evil. If they ''are'' protagonists, they'll probably be magical or mysterious. Antisocial, less extreme personality. Alternately, they are stubborn and friendly at the same time, good-natured, placid, companionable, and sociable, are said to be good hunters, and have a tendency to roam.

* ''Manga/ChisSweetHome'': Chi fits the "friendly" and "hyperactive" tabby stereotypes. Kurono/Blackie is a black cat, but [[TallDarkAndSnarky his personality]] [[SubvertedTrope seems to be a mix of the "orange" and "gray" stereotypes]]. Alice is orange and white, but plays the showy white cat stereotype more. [[spoiler:Cocchi from the manga is very much a black-and-white sterotype: IdiotHero wannabe and SmallNameBigEgo.]]

With [[DogStereotype dogs]], breeds are often used as a shorthand for personality stereotypes. Cat breeds are rarely as distinctive as dog breed (certain exceptions like the Persian and the Siamese notwithstanding), see ThisIndexMeows for more about cats other than stereotypes only. So when writers want to use a cat's visual appearance to denote its personality they usual rely on its color and its fur length.

* Scratchy from ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' ShowWithinAShow ''WesternAnimation/TheItchyAndScratchyShow'' plays the unlucky part of the black cat stereotype.

* Scratchy from ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons''' ShowWithinAShow ''WesternAnimation/TheItchyAndScratchyShow'' plays the unlucky part of the black cat stereotype.

[[folder: Cat Coat Color, Marking, and Pattern Stereotypes]]

[[folder:Live Action TV]]

[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
* Subverted with ComicStrip/{{Garfield}}. He's orange, but even though he has heroic moments sometimes, he's snarky and lazy as opposed to humble. He does play the aloof and snarky tabby stereotypes straight, though.
* ComicStrip/{{Heathcliff}} is an orange male cat.
* ComicStrip/KrazyKat is a black cat of AmbiguousGender which seems very unlucky for being in love with Ignatz Mouse who throws bricks at him/her/it with perverse delight though he/she/it doesn't seem to mind.

[[folder:Other]]
* The UC Berkeley Newscenter article, [[http://newscenter.berkeley.edu/2012/10/23/cat-color/ Don't be so fast to judge a cat by its color, study warns]] talks about how cats in real life are judged by their fur color.
* The Pet Peoples Places article, [[http://www.petpeoplesplace.com/resources/articles/cats/28-cat-coat-color-linked-to-temperament.htm Is Cat Coat Color Linked to Temperament?]] talks about how a cat's fur color is stereotypically associated with a certain personality.
* Catster's article, [[http://www.catster.com/lifestyle/cat-behavior-breeds-stereotypes-racial-profiling-cats Are You a Racist When It Comes to Cats? 8 Stereotypes Based on Breed and Markings]].
* The Journal of Cartoon Overanalyzations blogpost, [[https://cartoonoveranalyzations.wordpress.com/2008/03/08/from-the-archives-chromatic-sexism-and-animated-felines/ Chromatic Sexism and Animated Felines]].
* Kul World Daily Drivel's blogpost, [[http://kulworlddailydrivel.com/2013/01/09/stereotypical-cats-an-introspective-look-at-racism-and-prejudice-in-america/ Stereotypical Cats: An Introspective Look At Racism and Prejudice In America]]
* Cats on Film's blogpost, [[http://catsonfilm.wordpress.com/2011/06/19/white-cat-of-evil/ White Cat of Evil]] talks about the recent stereotype of white and chinchilla-patterned, usually longhaired cats being evil and/or a RightHandCat.
* [[http://www.fastcompany.com/3037267/pet-week/why-ginger-cats-took-over-hollywood Why 2014 is The Year of The Ginger Cat]] talks about why the orange tabby is so common in live action movies of the New Tens. It also talks about which kind of cats were common for live action works in a given time period. In the Sixties, the Siamese was in vogue and in the Seventies, Eighties, and Nineties, the Persian and Himalayan was in vogue.

[[folder:TabletopGames]]
* In the FunnyAnimal RoleplayingGame ''TabletopGame/MonarchiesOfMau'', the ruling Houses of the six titular Monarchies are each named after a breed or type of cat (Angora, Korat, Mau, Cymric, Rex, and Siberian), and their national character generally reflects the stereotype. Slightly [[DownplayedTrope downplayed]] in that each House is named after that monarchy's dominant family; not all cats affiliated with House Angora are Angora cats, and Angora-breed cats are not necessarily affiliated with their ancestors' House.

[[folder:Theatre]]
* ''Theatre/{{Cats}}'': Most of the cats don't fit any colour stereotypes but, in the video version, there are three cats who do:
** Victoria is the only all-white cat. Her role is performed mainly through dance, where she's implied to be a symbol of grace and innocence, and is extremely sensitive to the moods around her. Her coming-of-age moment sends all the cats into a frenzy. In the filmed stage production, her dance and reaction scenes are often paired with the black Mistoffelees for colour contrast.
** Skimbleshanks is a ginger tom. He's an engaging, cheeky cat who has a reputation for being the hero of the railways; the cats believe the trains only run smoothly because Skimbleshanks is there to keep the humans in line and on the job by either fixing all the problems that crop up or alerting the humans to issues so that they can fix the problems in time. His one flaw is described as being his temper, which gets triggered by disorder; he can be quite draconian about ensuring everything and everyone is kept in order so that the trains can run smoothly.
** Mistoffelees is the only all-black cat, described as being black from his ears to the tip of his tail. [[note]]The realities of stage production, where lighting tends to wash out all-black costumes means that the Mistoffelees cat is usually portrayed as a tuxedo cat to bring the costume to life; the cat himself, however, is described as being all-black[[/note]] He is the most mystical cat, capable of manipulating light, telekinesis and producing electricity from his paws. He is implied to have some hypnosis, illusion and voice-throwing abilities, he does possess a psychic sixth sense, and is revealed to be capable of teleporting others or himself. In the Invitation to the Jellicle Ball, his dance is paired with the all-white Victoria for colour contrast.

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''Franchise/{{Pokemon}}'' has the elegant but vicious cream Persian (which despite the name is based more on Siamese cats; however, a Persian is a villain's RightHandCat in the anime, fitting the Persian cat stereotype), the prim lavender and cream Delcatty, the obese gray Purugly, the devious dark purple Purrloin, and the mystical gray Espurr. There's also Incineroar, a red/black tiger {{heel}} wrestler who is actually a NiceGuy outside of {{Kayfabe}}.
* In ''VideoGame/TheLegendaryStarfy'' the cat costumes you can buy are an orange tabby for Starfy and a completely white one for his sister Starly.
* Popoi the cat puppet from ''VideoGame/PuyoPuyo'' fits two stereotypes associated with black cats. Firstly, he's an assistant to magic teacher Ms. Accord, so he's a witch's pet; secondly, in the original ''Fever'', [[spoiler:he's the final boss and calls himself the "Prince of Darkness", fitting the "black cats are evil" part]].

[[folder:Web Animation]]
* WebAnimation/CatFace is a male white, blue-eyed (though you can only tell if you look closely) floating cat with a French-ish accent; he's generally arrogant and bossy, generally always complaining or [[CloudCuckooLander saying nonsense]].
[[/folder]]

* Roast Beef of ''Webcomic/{{Achewood}}'' is colored gray in official materials, but plays with the stereotype in that he's depressed and pessimistic just as often as he is snarky.

[[folder: Live Action TV]]

[[folder:Newspaper Comics]]
* Bucky the Siamese in ''ComicStrip/GetFuzzy'' is just plain nasty to dog Satchel and owner Rob, and is a lot stupider than he thinks himself to be.
* Fleshy the Sphynx in ''ComicStrip/RobotmanAndMonty'' has the "positive" depiction as one strange cat (in a strange strip).
[[/folder]]