Cats in Popular Culture: How Screen Time Shapes Perception
Research into how cats are depicted in media reveals a striking bias. In many films and TV shows, felines often come across as aloof, sly, or outright hostile, which can colour audiences’ views of real-life cats. The finding comes from an examination of widely seen cat characters and their onscreen behavior.
Researchers from Evolution analyzed fifty well-known cats who headline screens for extended periods. They consulted film and entertainment databases to identify the most watched cat characters and then focused on the top fifty by screen presence. The results showed that around six in ten of these feline personalities were cast as antagonists or troublemakers. While a few were portrayed as gentle companions, the bulk leaned toward negative roles.
Specific breeds were highlighted in the results. Siamese and Persian cats emerged as the most negatively perceived in media portrayals. Notable examples include Duchess, the pampered cat from a classic family film where the animal savors a position of authority, and a duo of scheming Siamese cats in a beloved animated feature. The analysis also noted that nearly half of the on-screen villains appeared in dark coats, such as black or gray cats like Salem, who becomes a figure of magical mischief in a long-running comedy-fantasy series. In contrast, ginger cats, exemplified by a famous red feline in a romantic comedy, were generally viewed more positively. The study also observed that anti-hero cats often seem more menacing when placed against heroic dogs, a dynamic that heightens the sense of danger on screen.
Veterinary experts suggest that these portrayals may reflect a broader stereotype about cats. Because cats often display subtler facial expressions and quieter behaviors than dogs, audiences may interpret their actions as less warm or predictable. The natural attentiveness of dogs, paired with obvious affection, tends to reinforce a narrative in which dogs are heroes and cats are more enigmatic or threatening.
Some scenes illustrate how the misperception can arise. For instance, dogs may hiss or react defensively when a cat approaches. Viewers could read this as the dog being well-meaning and the cat being aggressive, when the opposite is possible. The cat may simply be frightened and use warning signals that the dog ignores, creating a conflict that audiences perceive as cat aggression rather than fear or self-defense.
Earlier discussions among veterinarians noted recurring patterns of challenging cat breeds that were abandoned or labeled problematic. The conversation has evolved as animal welfare perspectives sharpen, and audiences are increasingly encouraged to distinguish dramatic storytelling from real animal behavior.