What does it mean if you dream about a cat or cats? Of course, every dream is personal to the dreamer. And the meaning of your cat dream will depend on whatās going on in your life at a given time as well as your personal experiences and beliefs about cats.
However, there are some commonly-shared symbols and themes that are characteristic of cats, which may play a role in what your dream is telling you. Being familiar with these concepts may give you some added insights into your dream. Not to mention, whether you have your own cat or not can affect what your dream is telling you.
When it comes to interpreting your dreams, remember to pay attention to the emotions you felt in the dream, as one thing we all have in common is that our subconscious emotions donāt lie to us.
In this post, weāll explore all aspects of what dreaming about a cat (or cats) can mean.
Table of Contents
Before delving into more details about the meanings of cat dreams, hereās a list of common themes associated with dreams about a cat or cats:
Dreaming about a cat can have various meanings depending on the context of your dream and the specific attributes of the cat in the dream. Delving into these qualities can give you insights into what the dream is communicating to you.
After reading about some of the following common types of dreams about cats, hopefully you can apply some of these themes to your own dream for added insights.
I recommend keeping a dream journal by your bed so that you can record your dreams while theyāre fresh in your mind. Then, you wonāt miss important details by waiting too long and then forgetting them.
Sometimes dream meanings become clear to us at a later date. So, having a written record can be a useful resource. In addition, you might start to see some patterns in your dreams, which can further reveal whatās going on in your subconscious.
Cats in dreams can have important spiritual significance. To begin, there are some who believe that cats have psychic abilities and are able to tune into metaphysical phenomena more readily than people. So, dreaming of a cat can signify spiritual protection and your own intuitive abilities. Often when we dream about an animal, the animal in the dream represents some aspect of our own psyche.
Cats can also be important spirit animals for some people. If you have always loved cats and have a special affinity for them, the cat spirit animal may be one of your power animals.
A positive dream about a cat or cats can also signify that you are spiritually curious., so you should explore that aspect of your personality. It can also mean that you feel that you are surrounded by love and affection.
A cat dream that is more anxious or negative in nature can mean that you feel that you are not protected on a spiritual level or that you feel vulnerable in some area of your life. It can also mean that you are tuning into a cat, or even kittens, who are in distress.
When this happens and youāre not always sure about what to do about it, I always recommend looking at lost pet listings for your area or supporting a local animal charity because you may be a person who is particularly sensitive to cats who are in distress.
If you are fortunate enough to share your life with one or more cat companions, you are likely familiar with the deep bond that you can have with them. Like the people in our lives whom we are closest to, our animal companions can also be soulmates. We are connected to them on both a physical and spiritual level.
So, if you dream about your own cat, it can mean that you connected with them on the spiritual plane.
In fact, those who believe in reincarnation, as I do, say that the spirits of our cat and other animal companions will be with us lifetime after lifetime.
When analyzing your dream, itās also important to take the emotions you felt in your dream into account. For example, an anxious dream about your cat can mean that you need to attend to them more in some way. This could be health-wise, as many cats are stoic and they donāt always reveal when they donāt feel well. Or it can mean that you need to extend more protection over your kitty in some way so they are more secure.
A happy dream about your cat can simply imply the love and powerful bond you have for each other. Additionally, it can also be a reminder of the importance of protection and intuition in your spiritual journey.
If you dream about a cat companion who has passed over the rainbow bridge and itās a particularly vivid dream, you most likely connected with them on the spiritual plane. Our kitty companions often want to remain with us in spirit form after they pass just as they do in the physical world.
In fact, on a personal note, I had a black cat named Keith who was incredibly affectionate when he was alive and he slept with me every night. After he passed, I could swear I felt him getting up on the bed in the evening.
If you dream about a kitty who has passed and they seem unsettled in your dream, itās important to tell them how much you love them and that they can go towards the light and be peaceful.
Cats are not mentioned directly in the Bible. So, itās difficult to apply a biblical meaning to a cat dream. However, your own views about the teachings of the Bible, religious studies, and cats are key to understanding what your dream meant.
For example, as Christianity spread throughout Europe, cats were persecuted because they were associated with paganism. So, for some cats are viewed negatively.
However, if you view cats from the perspective that they are one of Godās creatures, then that perspective should play into what your dream meant.
What we do know about the time when the Bible was written is that cats played an important role in human health and agriculture in the communities where they were present. They helped to keep rodent and other animal populations under control that would otherwise spread disease and eat crops1
Black cats have their own set of meanings and associations. So, dreaming about a black cat can be a unique experience. Again, it depends on your personal experience, whatās going on in your life at a given time, and your views about black cats.
Black cats are associated with nighttime, magic, and transformation, as well as both good luck and bad luck, depending on the person. You can read more about this in my dedicated post on black cat meaning and symbolism.
As black cats are often associated with mystery, a dream about a black cat that leaves you feeling puzzled could mean that something in your life feels mysterious, as though secrets that need to be revealed. This could also mean that you should delve into a matter that is concerning you more deeply.
In addition, dreaming about a black cat can signify that you feel rebellious in some way and that you want to break from the crowd and do your own thing. Cats are often icons of independence, so your black cat dream may be telling you itās time to strike out on your own.
Another interpretation of your black cat dream could be that you are craving more sophistication, elegance, and luxury in your life. You may be denying this aspect of your personality for practical reasons. The black cat may be telling you that itās time to indulge.
Dreaming about a gray cat can signify peacefulness, stability, wisdom, mystery, humbleness, and other traits, depending on the context of your dream.
Gray is a mellow, understated color. So, your gray cat dream could reflect your own feelings about yourself or that you aspire to having more of this quality.
Cats are generally quiet as well. In fact, you usually cannot even hear them walking. So, the gay cat in your dream could also imply that you feel the need for discretion or should be more discreet and understated in some aspects of your life.
Cats are sensitive and receptive creatures. They can also seem to possess an all-knowingness. A gray cat, in particular, can signify the kind of wisdom that comes with age and experience. So, the gray cat in your dream can represent your own state of experience or that you should seek that out in others.
Dreaming of a white cat can have a range of positive and intriguing meanings. Like a white wolf or white owl, a white cat has its own distinct meanings.
To begin, dreaming of a white cat can signify spiritual protection and guidance, as the color white is often associated with angels, spirits, and divine energy. So, a white cat dream is a positive omen, particularly if it was pleasant.
Indeed, the white cat in your dream can also represent a guardian angel or spirit who is watching over you and guiding you.
The white cat can also be a symbol or validation to stay committed to your spiritual path and faith.
The white cat in your dream might also represent a new beginning of some kind. The color white represents purity, innocence, and starting fresh, as with a blank slate. So, your white cat dream can mean that you should have a ābeginnerās mind,ā as the Buddhists say. In other words, be open-minded, willing to learn, and pure of heart in your pursuits.
Another aspect to white cats is that many are deaf. So, dreaming of a white cat could be a sign to tune out negative information, like a needless amount of news, negative social media, or gossip. And tune into your inner voice and guidance from your Higher Power.
Dreaming of a cat scratching you can be viewed as a wake-up call. In other words, your subconscious is alerting you to something.
At a basic level, it can mean that you feel threatened or that you feel like you are being attacked in some aspect of your life. This may have come as a surprise to you, as cats generally strike very quickly.
The dream can be telling you to up your efforts at self-care and protection. For example, this could mean establishing better boundaries in relationships or being more on our guard in certain circumstances. Generally, cats scratch when they feel cornered or threatened. So, you may have put yourself in a corner in some way as well.
Additionally, dreaming about being scratched by a cat can imply that you have repressed anger or frustration that is slowly building up inside you. Your dream might indicate that you should address the underpinning of these feelings and release the emotions in a healthy way.
When cats are defending themselves, they usually use their claws before they will bite. So, dreaming of a cat biting you can imply that you resent letting someone get too close to you. Perhaps you feel a sense of betrayal.
Like a dream about a cat scratching you, the cat bit dream can be seen as a wakeup call. Sometimes cats will even bite their guardian if they are in pain or they want to warn them to stop doing something. So, another interpretation of a cat biting you is that you need to stop and take stock of something in your life. You might be going, going, and going, so you feel a little scattered.
In fact, a cat bite dream can also imply that someone or something is draining your energy, like being bitten by a vampire bat. Again, you may want to take a break and take stock of where and how you are spending your energy.
As with dreaming about a cat scratching or biting you, dreaming about a cat attacking you can signify that you feel anxious, threatened, or defenseless in your wakeful life. This could be in a work situation, a relationship, or even engaging in unhelpful self-criticism.
The cat attack in your dream can also symbolize an inner conflict or repressed emotions. Perhaps you feel like you canāt be yourself. For example, you may feel like you need more independence and autonomy. You might have things that you are curious about or intrigued with, yet something is holding you back from pursuing them.
Like the dreams about a cat biting or scratching you, dreaming about a cat attacking you can also mean that you feel betrayed in some way. This betrayal could be coming from other people, an institution, or even in the form of self-betrayal or self-deception.
Again, the dream should be viewed as a wake-up call. The shocking aspect should inspire you to do some reassessing and to address whatās ailing you in your wakeful life.
Dreaming about a dead cat can be upsetting and disturbing. Notably, if you dream about your own cat dying, it can be a sign that you feel anxious about them and should probably spend more quality time loving, nurturing, playing with, and protecting them.
Another interpretation of a dead cat dream, whether you know the cat or not, can be that you are experiencing a feeling of loss or fearing change in some aspect of your life. This could be a loss of trust, the loss of an important relationship, or even an aspect of yourself.
In general, dreaming about death often signifies a change or transformation of some kind. Itās important to remember that one thing we can count on in life is that things will change. As the Buddhists say, āThis too shall pass.ā
So, itās important to consider the emotions and context of your dream about a dead cat and how feelings of loss, change, or transformation are playing out in your wakeful life. Consider ways to face your fears or concerns in a direct and confident manner.
Dreaming of an injured can or one who is in distress can mean that you feel vulnerable in some aspect of your life or that you are worrying about someone you love who is fragile.
It can also signify that you are struggling with overcoming a recent setback. Or the injured cat can represent some repressed emotional pain that you are carrying, which is holding you back from moving forward or reaching your potential.
In addition, dreaming of an injured cat can mean that you feel a sense of neglect or abandonment. Or that you are cluing into someone you know who is feeling it. Your dream could be a wake-up call to be more caring and present. This could be for other people or in the form of self-care.
The term cat nap comes from the fact that cats love to snooze. In fact, cats love to be cozy, secure, and comfortable. So, having a peaceful dream about a cat can mean that you have these kinds of feelings in your own life or that a new person or set of circumstances is helping to provide them to you.
In addition, a peaceful dream about a cat can be a positive omen to move in the direction of something that you have been considering.
Depending on the context of your dream, dreaming about a stray cat can have a few different meanings.
For one, it can be a sign that you feel lost or unrooted in some way. It might also imply that you feel like you donāt have the kind of people around you who are going to look out for your best interests.
On the flip side, it could mean that there is someone around you who has these feelings and you have the power to make them feel more at home.
Furthermore, from a soul-level perspective, cats will often pick the people whom they feel they belong to. So, if you donāt have a cat and you are dreaming of one, it may be time to adopt a cat or two.
Dreaming about a cat beckoning to you, trying to get your attention, or following you can be a sign of a soul-level connection, as well as spiritual protection. (In fact, there is a Japanese cat legend about a beckoning cat that you might find interesting.)
As in the case of dreaming about a stray cat, dreaming about a cat beckoning to you ro following you could mean that itās time to adopt a cat or two.
Another interpretation of this type of dream is that the cat is signifying to you to pay more attention to your intuition and follow your instincts in a matter.
Cats are important parts of many peopleās lives. And if you are one of these people, dreaming about a cat can have many positive meanings. But whether you have your own cat or not, itās worthwhile to try to decipher the meaning of any cat dream because these highly sensitive animals have many special symbolic qualities. Hopefully learning more about various cat dream interpretations can bring more ideas about what your dream is telling you.
And if youāre still curious, you might find my dedicated post on cat symbolism and meanings.
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Hello. Thanks for visiting UniGuide. My name is Kristen and I started UniGuide as a tribute to nature, animals, and spiritual exploration. I hope you enjoy your experience here!
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