Cats have some sort of mystical power that draws people in, even in the world of Pokémon. Their adorably fluffy appearance has stolen hearts all over the globe.
Whether you’re a seasoned Pokémon trainer or a newcomer to the world of pocket monsters, these cat Pokémon are sure to steal your heart and leave you purring with joy.
With each new Pokemon game release, the cat Pokemon army grows stronger! These feline-inspired creatures keep multiplying like a bunch of…well, cats. Sure, some may argue that some Pokemon don’t quite fit the “cat” mold, but who cares? We love them all the same! The undeniable truth is that cat Pokemon have pounced their way into our hearts and the franchise.
10. Alolan Persian
Alolan Persian may have been designed to appear a little…well, silly. After all, its predecessor, Alolan Meowth, is something of a feline aristocrat, so perhaps Game Freak thought it would be amusing to give it a ridiculous makeover.
We all remember Persian as the lap cat of Giovanni, but in the Alola region, it got a makeover and a serious upgrade. The Alolan form of Persian has a sleek new Dark type, giving it access to useful moves like Parting Shot, Nasty Plot, and Dark Pulse.
Let’s not forget about its stats! While it shares the same base stat total of 440 as all other Meowth evolutions, Alolan Persian’s shifted stat distribution gives it a higher Special Attack than regular Persian. This complements its Dark typing quite nicely, making it a powerful and versatile battler.
Is Alolan Persian good?
Well, it struggles against foes that don’t take much damage from Dark-type attacks, and it’s not a fan of Fighting-types in the tier, such as Hitmonchan and Gurdurr. However, despite these weaknesses, Alolan Persian’s excellent Speed and access to Nasty Plot and Z-Parting Shot are usually worthwhile enough to make it a solid choice for trainers looking to add some cattitude to their team.
Alolan Persian may seem ridiculous, but its round face is highly regarded among cat owners as a symbol of prestige. Additionally, the breed is reputed to have the incredibly soft fur of someone who has abandoned hard work for a life of luxury.
9. Liepard
So, you thought Purrloin was a bit sneaky? Just wait until it evolves into Liepard – its deviousness reaches new heights, but hey, at least your enemies will suffer!
Designed to look like a cheetah, Liepard has some serious speed on its side, perfect for battling it out with Thievul. This dark-type cat is one nasty piece of work, reminding us all that even among thieves, there’s no honor to be found.
What is Liepard good for?
Liepard is a bit like a box of chocolates – you never know what you’ll get! With viable sets like Choice Band and Nasty Plot, as well as weather support, Liepard can be fairly unexpected. In addition, its attacking mentality makes it an ideal option for teams who like to attack and value a good speedster.
If you’re looking for a wild card to round out your roster, Liepard could be the perfect choice!
8. Purugly
If you keep spoiling Glameow, it’s gonna balloon up and turn into a Purugly. This once-fancy feline now boasts a Thick Fat shield, making it a fierce opponent in combat.
To maintain its appearance, it tightens its waistline with its adorable twin tails to appear more fit than fluffy.
Despite the unexpected transformation, we wouldn’t mind loving this chubby cat. We just hope it doesn’t get hangry and decide to make me its next meal – it’s surprisingly fast for its size, and I’m not exactly Usain Bolt.
Is Purugly good in the games?
Purugly isn’t exactly a heavyweight, but its slow and pricey charge moves are a big bummer. Compared to other slow Pokemon like Snorlax or Lickilicky, they tend to generally outshine Purugly. It looks like Purugly needs to hit the gym and work on its agility if it wants to keep up!
7. Luxray
This electric/dark type has been a favorite among trainers due to its sleek look. Yet this Pokemon is more than just a pretty face – it’s a formidable opponent in battle. Beginning as a simple Shinx in Generation 4, it can grow into a formidable Luxray.
Why is Luxray so popular?
Those who have trained it, maintained it in their party, and triumphed over it know personally how powerful it can be. Even without its fan base, this Pokemon is one of the most powerful electric types available.
While Luxray certainly has an impressive base stat total of 523, some trainers feel its moveset could use a little reorganizing. While it has access to some powerful electric-type moves like Thunder Fang and Thunderbolt, it can be limited in its move choices. This can make it predictable in battle and easier for opponents to counter.
By shaking up its moveset and adding some coverage moves, Luxray could become an even more versatile and dangerous opponent. After all, with stats like that, it’s a shame not to make the most of its potential!
6. Pyroar
Game Freak really hit the mark with Pyroar, creating a truly badass lion Pokemon. I mean, who wouldn’t love the idea of a Fire-type lion? It’s just plain awesome! On top of that, it also has a round and hyper voice perfect for all of Pyroar’s sound-based moves, giving it an extra STAB to play with.
Pyroar is one of the coolest feline-inspired creatures in the world of Pokemon, and it’s not hard to see why so many trainers love having one on their team.
With its base stat total of 507, Pyroar perfectly embodies the image of a lion, boasting impressive Speed and Special Attack stats that complement its fiery temperament. After evolving from Litleo at level 35, Pyroar can effectively unleash powerful Special Attacking moves like Fire Blast and Solar Beam.
We also love the gender differences in this Pokemon – with a male Pyroar having a mane and a female Pyroar having a closer resemblance to lionesses in real life.
5. Meowstic
Espurr evolves into Meowstic, the Restraint Pokémon, as it acquires mastery over its power through time.
Meowstic is one of those amazing creatures whose appearance and behavior vary greatly according to gender. The male meowstic exhibits the Prankster ability, while the female meowstic exhibits the Competitive ability. These appear to be entirely two separate Pokémon!
Both male and female Meowstic are fiercely loyal to defending their lovers, despite distinctions in gender. They seem to be the ideal introvert couples since they are dependable and supportive of one another.
With a base stat total of 466, the male Meowstic is becoming the top pick among Pokémon players who want to dominate in battles. This little guy’s movepool is nothing to sneeze at, and it can learn some seriously powerful moves like Psyshock and Light Screen.
4. Perrserker
Meowth’s got some serious competition now that Perrserker’s in the games! This fighting fiend lives and breathes for battle and can’t stand its Kanto cousin, Persian. Even though Perrserker shares a base stat total with Persian, the two couldn’t be more different with their movepools and typing. It’s like they’re from entirely different worlds!
Being a Steel-type Pokémon, Perrserker benefits greatly from the ability Steely Spirit, which multiplies the power of all Steel-type moves by 1.5. In addition, its access to the Tough Claws ability is excellent for its bulky Attack stat, as it multiplies the power of its contact moves by 1.3.
If you’re into building a team full of cats, you’ll be pleased to know that all of Meowth’s different forms and evolutions can be found in Pokémon Sword & Shield.
The developers at Game Freak must have learned from their past mistakes in gen 7, as Galarian Meowth’s evolution is less ridiculous this time around. Enter Perrserker, the polar opposite of Alolan Persian.
This badass feline has steel-hard fur resembling a horned helmet, giving it a Scandinavian vibe (even if historical accuracy is questionable). In battle, Perrserker is a total beast with great attack and defense, though its speed could use some work. But it could be the novelty of it all because who wouldn’t love this grizzled and armored little guy?
3. Incineroar
Incineroar, the fiery feline famous for its Super Smash Bros. Ultimate appearance, had fans breathing a sigh of relief when it was announced as a Fire/Dark-type starter. Finally, a break from the tired old Fire/Fighting-type starter routine!
With a solid 530 base stat total, Incineroar is a force to be reckoned with and definitely not your run-of-the-mill starter.
Incineroar has some devastating techniques up its sleeve, including its trademark move Darkest Lariat, which deals 85 basic damage while ignoring any pesky stat modifications the target may have, such as evasion.
With Swords Dance in its armory, this cat can truly pack a punch when amped up. Furthermore, because of its Intimidate ability, opponents may be trembling before the conflict even begins! There’s no need for Blaze here.
2. Zeraora
Zeraora, the shockingly stylish feline who starred in its very own Pokémon movie, is sadly not the most popular Pokémon out there. It’s probably because this electrifying cat is rarer than a Snorlax at a salad bar, only obtainable through giveaway events in Ultra Sun & Ultra Moon. But don’t let Zeraora’s elusive nature fool you – this kitty’s got the moves!
With a lightning-fast speed that even Luxray can’t match and a color scheme hotter than a Charizard’s flamethrower, Zeraora is one fierce feline that shouldn’t be underestimated.
Let’s face it: this Mythical creature from Alolan’s gen 7 isn’t the cutest of the bunch. But who needs cute Pokemon when you’ve got pure, undeniable badassery? Zeraora is a force to be reckoned with, with combat skills that would make even the toughest Tyranitar tremble.
Zeraora may not be able to generate electricity on its own, but it can store it like nobody’s business and use it to surprise its enemies. This cat means business and has legendary-level stats to back it up.
Furthermore, thanks to its Volt Absorb ability, any Electric-type moves thrown at it is no match for Zeraora; it will simply absorb the electricity and use it to heal itself. That’s what I call enthralling combat!
1. Solgaleo
Solgaleo, the dual psychic/steel-type Pokémon, was once believed to be an envoy of the sun god, earning it the seriously epic title of Beast That Devours The Sun.
And get this: Solgaleo is the first Legendary ever to have a baby form! It’s called Cosmog, and it shares the honor with Lunala.
Even though it’s probably not a real emissary of some celestial body, Solgaleo’s design is like a freaking Space Shuttle! Who needs NASA when you’ve got this Legendary Pokémon ready to blast off into space?
Solgaleo is undeniably powerful, as most legendaries are.
With a whopping 680 base stat total, Solgaleo can decimate opponents with its signature move Sunsteel Strike while never suffering any stat-lowering moves, thanks to its epic ability, Full Metal Body. With Earthquake, Stone Edge, and Wild Charge in its arsenal, it’s a walking natural disaster waiting to happen.
You can still add this fierce cosmic kitty to your team in Pokémon Sword & Shield. However, you won’t find it roaming around like a stray cat – you’ll have to put in a little extra effort. Instead of catching it outright like in Generation VII, you’ll need to evolve a Cosmog.
Sprigatito (BONUS!)
Sprigatito has been a fan-favorite since it first made its debut. While it doesn’t stay on all fours when it evolves (much to some fans’ disappointment), Floragato and Meowscarada are still pretty awesome. They have a consistent and cohesive design that will have you saying, “wow, these guys really know what they’re doing!”
Sprigatito’s fur is as plant-like as it gets, with a constant need for hydration. Yet, its alluring sweet scent is a mesmerizing force to be reckoned with. When this little green machine catches some rays, that scent blooms like a flower in full bloom, leaving everyone around it in a trance.
Is Sprigatito any good?
If you’re the type who likes to live dangerously, then Sprigatito might be the perfect starter for you! It’s weaker to more types than the other starters, so you must be on your toes during battles. But if you’d rather not tempt fate, maybe Sprigatito isn’t the way to go. Unless, of course, you just can’t resist that cute little face.
Discovering the Best Cat Pokémon and Choosing Your Favorite
The world of Pokémon is home to many amazing feline creatures that have captured the hearts of fans all over the world. Whether you’re a fan of their unique designs and powerful moves or just love cats in general, there’s no denying that the feline Pokémon are some of the most beloved and iconic creatures in the franchise.
There are 28 cat-themed Pokemon prowling around in the games, from the classic Meowth to the sassy Skitty. With so many purrfect options to choose from, fans of felines and pocket monsters alike are sure to find a favorite.
Not every Pokemon with cat-like features is necessarily classified as a “cat Pokemon” in the games. Take Eevee and its evolutions, for instance, they may have a lot of feline traits, but they’re still categorized as “normal” type Pokemon. And then there are Pokemon like Raikou, who’s not directly inspired by cats but still has some serious cat vibes going on in its design.
So, which one is your favorite?
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