Join Mysticsense to learn all about the spiritual symbolism of cats, what they represent in dreams, and what the cat teaches you as your spirit animal.
Over 370 million cats worldwide are kept as pets. If that’s not proof people have an intimate bond with cats, nothing is, but do they symbolize more than the relationship they have with their people? They do. They represent things like self-care, and while cats might act like they are so independent, they are completely self-reliant, they are deeply involved with the people and other animals they form relationships with, and they therefore symbolize love. Join Mysticsense as we explore the spiritual symbolism of cats. Find out what a cat is, what they represent, and what it means to have dreams about cats. Most importantly, discover the amazing things the cat teaches as your spirit animal.
What is a Cat?
Domestic cats are small members of the feline family. They have a common ancestor with other members of their kingdom that dates back between 10 and 15 million years. Close to 7,500 BCE, it is believed that it was the ancient Egyptians who first domesticated the African Wildcat, and from there, over the centuries, humans have selectively bred cats to get the cat species to where they are today. They eat smaller animals like mice, birds, and fish, and are valued for pest control at homes and on farms. They also provide invaluable companionship to individuals and families. In 2024, American, Chinese, and Russians had the highest levels of cat ownership and cats are the most popular pet worldwide.
They have retractable claws and whiskers in their faces that act as a sensory organ. Their vision is good during daylight and in the dark, and they have a broader field of vision than we do. They can hear higher pitched sounds better than humans can and they have a better range of hearing than both dogs and humans. They are a social species, living in colonies that are overseen by female cats. The females share responsibilities for kittens with one another and defend the colony collectively. Cats can make about 100 different vocal sounds, can run up to 30 miles per hour for short distances, and believe it or not, humans share about 90% of our DNA with that of cats! Read about the spiritual meaning of a big cat, the jaguar here: What is the Spiritual Meaning of Jaguars?
What Do Cats Symbolize?
After so many years of being companions to people, cats have come to symbolize a great many things to us. They represent independence and self-care. They represent love, and they also symbolize something far more surprising- lying in wait!
Independence
House Cats who get to go outdoors often hunt, even though their people feed them. They spend 16 hours per day or more sleeping, and don’t mind sleeping alone oftentimes. They are “self-cleaning” , bathing themselves, and they don’t want to be petted, cuddled, or played with until they are ready to be. For these traits, they symbolize independence. Some people wrongly assume cats need zero social interaction, and that’s just not true. They are social creatures; they just socialize on their own terms. Another seemingly solitary creature is the spider and you can read about spiders here: What Do Spiders Mean Spiritually?
Self-Care
Cats take meeting their personal needs seriously. If they need to sleep, they don’t care if you want to play. They are going to sleep. If they want to eat your food, they are going to do it- just try to stop them. If they need cuddles, they cry loudly until you cuddle them. Cats are not demanding though. They just make sure they meet their needs. That’s something a lot of us could learn from. Read about relationships with yourself here: How to Love Yourself More
Love
How can an independent creature symbolize love? Because they bond with the people and animals they prefer. They won’t pretend to like or love an animal or person they don’t. Their love is genuine and loyal. If a cat loves you, they will want to be near you, even if they are on the other side of the room. They might want to sleep with you in bed, and they will eagerly await your return home when you leave. Read about love at first sight here: Is Love at First Sight Real?
Lying in Wait
Cats are one of the ultimate predators. They know how to wait motionlessly until they can close in on prey, and then, they pounce when they see their opportunity. They might creep slowly toward prey before pouncing or wait for it to move closer to them. Cats are patient enough to remain undetected for long periods of time, waiting for their opportunity to make their move. This trait is one reason why cats hunt so successfully. Some people also say that evil is something that lies in wait. Read about the difference between good and evil here: What’s the Difference Between Good and Evil?
Cat Dreams Meaning
Cats are not just spiritually meaningful creatures in the waking world. They also hold great symbolism in dreams.
Dreams About Kittens
Kittens symbolize new life, happiness, and friendship. If you are playing with a litter of kittens in a dream, it means you are surrounded by friends. Dreams about kittens playing together encourage you to find ways to do the things that make you happy. Dreams about a pregnant cat let you know that a wonderful, new opportunity is about to present itself to you. If you dream about a mother cat caring for her litter of kittens, it means you should tend to the good things in your life and enjoy them. Read about love and relationships here: All About Love and Relationships
Black Cat Dream Meaning
Black cats symbolize good luck and intuition. If you dream a black cat crossing your path, it brings good luck to you. However, dreams about harming a black cat warn you that bad luck could come your way if you do the wrong thing. Dreams about a black cat asleep in your bed mean that your psychic intuition is strong, but it is still awakening. If you dream that a black cat is leading you somewhere, this indicates you are about to get an important message from the universe, and you should listen! Read about another lucky creature, the ladybug here: What is the Spiritual Meaning of Ladybugs?
White Cat Dream Meaning
Dreams about white cats normally indicate you are being watched over. It could be an ancestor or guardian angel watching you, and if it’s an ancestor, they may have special messages for you in your dream. When you dream a white cat is following you, it means that your guardian spirit is going with you, and you can rest assured you are protected. Read about working with angels here: A Complete Guide to Working With Angels
Cat Fight Dream Meaning
Cat fights are terrifying. Fighting cats screech, tumble, rip out one another’s fur, and go all out to try and defeat one another. Injuries can be fatal, and even if they are not, they could permanently cripple a cat. Cat fights are often over territory. If you dream about a cat fight, it symbolizes that you are involved in a terrible dispute with someone close to you. Rather than fight, it would be far better to resolve issues in a levelheaded fashion. Chances are, you and whoever you are feuding with both feel justified, and yours will have to be the voice of reason in this situation. You might even need to apologize. Learn about saying you are sorry here: How to Say You’re Sorry
Cat and Dog Fight Dream Meaning
“Fighting like cats and dogs'' is a cliché saying that can be quite misleading. Cats and dogs are not natural enemies. They can actually be the very best of friends. Dreams about a dog and cat fighting means you are fighting with someone you should be cultivating a good relationship with. If you are sparring with a teammate at work who you feel is like a competition to you, then you should team up with them. Together, you two could be unstoppable, and other companies will envy the good work you do together. If you are fighting with a neighbor, a dream about a cat and dog fight tells you that you should live in harmony with them. If you are fighting with your ex, the dream says to be friends with them. Learn how to be friends with an ex: Ex-Relationships: Signs of Attention-Seeking Ex
Dreams About Multiple Cats
Dreams about multiple cats bring you all the blessings cats offer- just more of them! You get more luck, more friendship, more happiness, more new opportunities, and more good luck when there is more than one cat in your dream. Multiple good things also mean multiple responsibility. Don’t be surprised if you are temporarily overwhelmed when all these good things start happening. Pace yourself and give yourself time to get used to things. You will get the hang of things before you know it. Read about the power of manifestation here: The Power of Manifesting | Positive Affirmations
Dreams About a Tortoiseshell Cat
Tortoiseshell cats are rare, and they are almost always female. Some call them “Torties” and say these cats are the gentlest, most mild-mannered ones of all the domestic cats. Some say they bond with Torties more than other cats as well. Dreams about Tortoiseshell cats symbolize gentle spiritedness. If you dream of a Tortie during a time you are in a dispute, the dream tells you to be kind, compassionate, and understanding. A Tortie might also be your personal familiar and you can read all about familiars here: What are Familiars?
The Cat Spirit Animal
Any animal can be a spirit animal. If the cat is your spirit animal, you will know. The cat as spirit animal teaches you many great lessons. They teach you to be independent and self-reliant, but to join with the people you love to watch out for one another. They teach you to practice proper self-care, resting when you need to, taking care of your skin, eating what is good for you- and they teach you to enjoy yourself too. Cats teach you to love deeply and plan your time around the people and creatures you care about. They also teach you to be patient, waiting for the right moment to seize opportunities. To spend more time with your spirit animal cat, you can always adopt a cat. If you can’t have a cat, you can volunteer at your local animal shelter to spend time with cats. You can also donate to help take care of them. Read more about Spirit Animals here: What Spirit Animal Am I? | Spirit Animal Quiz
Do Cats and People Need Each Other?
Some people insist that the cat is an artificially produced creature that humans have modified, and it therefore has no place in nature. Truthfully, a lot of species have changed over the centuries, and so have humans, but that does not mean any species is unnatural. Cats need humans to help them live longer, healthier lives. A feral cat lives an average two years, and those years are fraught with dangers. Coyotes and other larger predators feed on cats and fights with other cats can cause injury or infection. Mange, ticks, mites, lice, and fleas can eat a cat alive. Left untreated, these things can make a cat spiral to death, or even just make them suffer. Cats who are cared for by humans can live about 7- 10 years longer, and those are healthier lives free from fear or suffering.
As much as cats need people, is it fair to say we need them too? They destroy our furniture and carpeting, can cost upwards of $1,000 per year. They act aloof, and downright “catty” toward their humans sometimes. So what do cats do for people? They provide love, companionship, and give us a better sense of wellbeing. Our stress levels are lower- even when they are breaking things or eating the goldfish- and we sleep better at night if we have furry family members. Research has proven you are less likely to die of a heart attack while you own a cat. So, yes, people need cats too. Read more benefits of having a cat here: The Science-Backed Benefits of Being a Cat Lover (healthline.com)
How to Help Cats
Do cats need our help? They do. In the US alone, about 3.2 million cats enter animal shelters each year, and about 530,000 of them are euthanized there. The number one way to crack down on this suffering is to make sure you spay or neuter your cat. “But I want a litter of kittens first!” Spay or neuter anyways, and your chance will come. Just reach out to shelters, which are often overrun and overwhelmed, and offer to foster litters of kittens. They will appreciate your help. You can have an unlimited supply of baby kittens to raise and love and still combat animal overpopulation.
Frisky, finicky, fluffy, and sometimes fickle, cats have been with humans for about 10,000 years and were first domesticated in Egypt, one of the cradles of human civilization. Cats represent great spiritual things like love and self-care, and dreams about cats can reveal important things. When the cat is your spirit animal, it teaches you all its spiritual gifts, and pet cats need us just as much as we need them. May the blessings the cat brings fill your heart and life. So Be It.
Would you like to know more about the spiritual treasures your spirit animal can teach? Get a reading started to find out today: Online Psychic Readings. Make sure to sign up for our Horoscopes to find out what the future holds: Daily Horoscope | Free Horoscopes
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