They say there are two types of people: Those who love dogs and those who love cats. A lot of people believe those preferences are indicative of a person's personality. For the dog folks, their temperaments are typically eager, sunny, and super sociable. Cat people are thought to be independent, cunning, and infinitely intriguing. While one is certainly no better than the other, cat people tend to be really passionate about their furry feline friends. And pop culture has fully embraced the obsession — in addition to the countless cat cartoons that exist, cats are flooding everything from fashion to tattoos.
Feline tattoos come as diverse as the cats themselves. Some tattoos are sleek and stylish, while other are more feral and funky. The thing is, cat lovers everywhere have found ways to honor their feline friends. Realistic tattoos are so intricate a person could practically pet them. More artistic interpretations are just as precocious as their real-life inspirations. No matter what style a cat-lover fancies, there is a cat tattoo for them.
Here, we pulled together 20 incredible tattoos that will satisfy any cat fanatic. We found styles that capture cat's elegance and grace, and a few that totally nail their erratic nature. Colorful tattoos, black and white, realistic and cartoonish — anything one could imagine is here. So if someone identifies as a true fan of felines, consider getting one of these styled tattoos. We'd say that one's furry feline friend would totally appreciate the gesture, but ya know… cats.
Mini Portrait Cat Tattoo
This quarter-sized cutie is unbelievably detailed. The ink is so realistic, we feel like we could practically pet it!
Egyptian Cat Tattoo
In Egyptian lore, cats were among the most revered animals. This sphinx cat tattoo perfectly encapsulates their mystical wonder.
Cutie Duo Cat Tattoo
What's better than one cat tattoo? Two realistic ones, of course. These pretty kitties are placed purrfectly on the bicep.
Creepy Cat Tattoo
Not all cat tattoos have to be cutesy. For anyone who loves cats but also insists on rocking a bad*ss vibes, this style is perfect.
Fat Cat Tattoo
Plush and plump kitties are everyone's favorite. This fat cat is the sweetest little tattoo we've ever seen.
Sketch-Style Cat Tattoo
This tattoo is sketchy in the best way. We love the the striking black-and-white style and the intricate dot work this ink features.
Black Cat Tattoo
Forget the folklore that says black cats are bad news. This silhouette is perfect, and gives black cats a great name.
Geometric Cat Tattoo
This design is so artsy and edgy. We love the pop of color in the cat's eyes — it's so striking.
Galactic Cat Tattoo
For anyone whose love for cats is out of this world, this sweet spacey cat tattoo is perfect. Just look at the gorgeous, otherworldly colors it has.
Mandala Cat Tattoo
The detail on this mandala is unbelievable. The jewels are practically shining and the cat looks real enough to snuggle.
Floral Cat Tattoo
This sphinx kitty surrounded by florals is a beautiful tribute to cats everywhere. One could get lost in thos cute cat eyes forever.
Watercolor Cat
This playful cat is framed in gorgeous watercolor splotches that perfectly match its piercing eyes. The tattoo perfectly plays on the thigh, giving the design enough room to make a gorgeous impact.
Wallpaper Cat Tattoo
Looking for something more abstract? One can profess their love of cats by simply getting a kitty outline and filling it with a favorite flower wallpaper design.
Space Cat Tattoo
The coloring in this tattoo is absolutely stunning. The thick line work against that dreamy backdrop make this tattoo a real standout.
Stoic Cat Tattoo
This tattoo is all about the lines and dots. While it may appear simplistic, it has a ton of interesting detail in the style.
Realistic Cat Tattoo
We had to do a double take. This realistic cat tattoo looks like someone just transferred a photo onto this person's skin.
Samurai Cat Tattoo
This amazing tattoo is so creative. The black-and-white style give it a supernatural elegance.
Magical Cat Tattoo
What is more magical than this tattoo? The pretty feminine moon adorned with jewels with a pretty kitty is perfect for anyone looking to embrace their inner witch.
Portrait Cat Tattoo
Nothing portrays a cat more accurately than this regal portrait featuring a grumpy face. We all know cats are famous for their less-than-sunny attitude.
Spooky Cat Tattoo
A list of cat tattoos would be incomplete without a Halloween-themed one. Jack Skellington makes a frightful appearance — so we can't help but think Tim Burton would approve.