7 Christmas Movies With Cats...Or Are They? (Plus the GREATEST Cat Christmas Movie Ever)

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Look, I'm not saying I'm a total trendsetter, but I've been saying for years--YEARS--that pumpkin spice is going to be replaced by apple cider, and the fact that I can find apple cider flavored coffee is proof I'm right.

So, considering my sterling track record as a trend maven, you'll thank me for these amazing movie recs. Sure, Hallmark Hall of Fame Christmas Movies staring a small, rotating cast of B movie stars is all the rage at the moment. We're all watching the suit and the lumberjack duke it out for the delightfully type A, but secretly losing her shit protagonist--now...but mark my words, it's gonna be Christmas cats in 2045.

That being said, these cat movie recommendations add an extra layer of fun because are they Christmas movies or horror movies? You can't tell by the titles, so read the synopsis below.

Use the most sinister voice in your head. Enjoy.

A Gift From Bob

Synopsis (direct from everyone's favorite source to both cite and constantly shit on, Wikipedia): James looks back at the last Christmas he and Bob spent scraping a living on the streets and how Bob helped him through one of his toughest times – providing strength, friendship and inspiration – and ultimately teaching each other about the true meaning of Christmas spirit along the way.

Things to love about this movie:

  • There is a cat. Bob.

  • It is a biographical drama.

  • It is a Christmas movie.

  • It is a sequel.

  • It is based on a book.

Things to hate about this movie:

  • Bob died six months after filming, so there won't be more Bob movies.

Meet Me in St. Louis

Synopsis (from TCM because they had the shortest one): Young love and childish fears highlight a year in the life of a turn-of-the-century family.

Things to love about this movie:

  • There is a cat.

  • Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

  • Judy Garland. If that's your thing.

Things to hate about this movie:

  • It's a "classic" so, you know, racism.

  • The cat is not loved by all...I won't spoil it for you but Cinema Cats will.

Black Christmas

Synopsis (Yup, Wikipedia again): The story follows a group of sorority sisters who receive threatening phone calls and are eventually stalked and murdered by a deranged killer during the Christmas season.

So this one actually IS a horror movie. Huh.

Things to love about this movie:

  • It's actually a slasher flick.

  • It's Canadian.

  • It's got a cult following so you can pretend to be cool.

  • There's a cat.

Things to hate about this movie:

  • It's actually a slasher flick.

  • Cult following = you won't get what all the fuss is about.

Scrooged

Synopsis (Thanks Wikipedia): Based on the 1843 novella A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens, Scrooged is a modern retelling that follows Bill Murray as Frank Cross, a cynical and selfish television executive, who is visited by a succession of ghosts on Christmas Eve intent on helping him regain his Christmas spirit.

Things to love about this movie:

  • 1988 Bill Murray.

  • You could totally call it "screwed" by accident and no one could blame you.

  • It's yet another Christmas Carol.

  • There's a cat. Scratch that. There are several.

Things to hate about this movie:

  • It's yet another Christmas Carol.

While You Were Sleeping

Synopsis (You already know...): Lucy Eleanor Moderatz is a lonely fare token collector for the Chicago Transit Authority, stationed at the Randolph/Wabash station. She secretly loves Peter Callaghan, a handsome commuter, though they are strangers. On Christmas Day, she rescues Peter from the oncoming Chicago "L" train after muggers push him onto the tracks. She accompanies the comatose Peter to the hospital, where a nurse overhears her musing aloud, "I was going to marry him." Misinterpreting, the nurse tells his family that she is his fiancée. Lucy has a cat.

Things to love about this movie:

  • Bill Pullman. Cause who doesn't wanna bone the dad from Casper?

  • There's a cat.

  • Plenty of cringe. Which was par for the course of 90s movies.

Things to hate about this movie:

  • The story is ridiculous. But we've all seen reddit, so maybe totally believable?

  • Sandra Bullock pretending to be anything but a badass woman. Why did she have so many roles like this?!

Santa Claws

Synopsis (IMDB for the win): Tommy leaves his kittens out for Santa to take back to the North Pole, but after a major allergic reaction Santa can't deliver presents anymore, so the kittens have to deliver the rest of the presents to all the boys and girls.

Things to love about this movie:

Things to hate about this movie:

  • Absolutely nothing. Cinematic perfection.

Home for the Holidays

Synopsis (Wiki who?): The film follows Claudia Larson, who after losing her job, kissing her ex-boss, and finding out that her daughter has plans of her own for the holidays, departs Chicago to spend her Thanksgiving with her dysfunctional family.

Things to love about this movie:

  • The Maine Coon named Frank.

  • The plot is relatably fucked-up.

  • Jodi Foster directed it.

Things to hate about this movie:

  • It'll trigger your family-related PTSD.

  • The name. There are at the very least two other movies with the same name.

The greatest cat Christmas movie ever, drumroll please...

Naturally, it's Grumpy Cat's Worst Christmas Ever. This Lifetime delight is cheeky, snarky, stupid, hilarious fun. Aubrey Plaza nails the voice and attitude we've ascribed to Grumpy for years. While she's now gone, but not forgotten (Grumpy, not Aubrey), it only adds to the nostalgia.

I won't say anything more. It's time to go watch. You're welcome.

Happy holidays.

National coffee day pairs well with cats

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As if we needed an excuse to overindulge in both coffee and cats, but here it is. Today is National Coffee Day! You can find a list of chains participating in special deals, but if you're local to Indianapolis (or within a reasonable driving distance), don't miss out a chance to visit Nine Lives Cat Cafe.

The very first cat cafe comes to us courtesy of Taipei, Taiwan in 1998. While there's a little disagreement regarding Japan's first cat cafe (see here and here), there's no doubt about the popularity. Currently boasting 150 cat cafes, Japan's restrictions on pets in rentals along with large numbers of single young adults have proven what every cat lady already understands-cats are excellent companions at the end of a long workday.

Not to be outdone, but always a bit behind, the US had 125 cat cafes as of 2019. While some likely suffered closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, cat cafes are becoming an essential part of housing and adopting out available cats. Many cat cafes partner with animal welfare nonprofit organizations to both educate individuals about cat care and provide opportunities for people to interact with adoptable cats.

It's brilliant. Much like the free samples at Costco or the annual Girl Scout cookie booths, there's nothing that closes a sale better than experiencing the product. At cat cafes, patrons can enjoy food, drinks, and the company of felines they'll easily imagine as part of their family.

It was my local cat cafe, Nine Lives Cat Cafe, that introduced me to this concept several years ago. While I was initially delighted by the sheer number and variety of kitties and the cozy cat lady living room vibes, I was most impressed by the information shared about cat care and health. Ok, so the delicious drinks didn't hurt either...

Nine Lives' commitment to helping Indy cats find loving homes amplifies the efforts of our local shelters, provides additional jobs, and keeps more money in our neighborhood economies. Plus you get to pet the cats and you don't have to clean the litterboxes.

What's not to love? Go check out your local cat cafe on this National Coffee Day! As if you needed an excuse to enjoy cats and coffee ;).

Cheers.

3 Make or Break Questions to Ask Your Vet

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If you haven't seen your vet in a little while, or like ever, consider this your sign from the universe.

Cats are notoriously cool and maybe a little psycho. I may be channeling my inner Ophelia Von Hairball V, but the data doesn't lie. Aloof behavior and propensity to eat your corpse aside, cats ruggedness doesn't change the fact that they need regular veterinary care.

If it's been a year or more, schedule a check-up. You know all the reasons why, but I'll say them anyway (I hear these are good SEO keywords or something):

  • Be up to date with immunizations

  • Test for common kitty diseases

  • Ensure that any chronic problems are under control

  • Spay or neuter your cat if you haven't already

When you get to the appointment, keep in mind these three questions to ask and ensure that your vet is ready to care for your furry friend.

Do you follow best practices for feline immunization?

Look, if you're an anti-vaxxer and this extends to your cats, you're unnecessarily endangering yourself, others, and cats. Stop it. Get your shit together and get the facts on the effectiveness and safety of life-saving vaccines.

Even Catster agrees. A good vet will make sure you understand what immunizations your cat needs and why (spoiler alert, it's cause they'll live longer and healthier lives).

When do you recommend lab work?

Many veterinarians will recommend a full laboratory work-up if you've recently rescued a cat off the street. Likewise, if a cat has a sudden shift in behavior, eating, drinking, or litterbox usage, labs may be in order to determine a potential cause.

Most veterinarians will regularly check fecal samples for parasites, which outside of being super gross can also be life-threatening to their feline hosts. It's not glamorous, but it can save you from bodily harm, too.

While many people have now heard of the common cat parasite Toxoplasma gondii and the TMZ worthy news that it potentially endears cats to us even more, some may not know about its devastating effects on fetal development in humans.

Do you declaw cats?

It's super tempting to run, not walk, to a vet for a quick fix to one of the biggest frustrations cat parents face--clawmaggedon. Am I exaggerating? Not really.

Cats need to scratch. Cats use their claws as tools, weapons, and toys. Cats will absolutely shred everything except the shitty cardboard scratching post you purchased specifically for this purpose.

So, it makes sense to get those tiny Swiss Army knives of the animal kingdom benched. And while some vets will use laser technology to reduce procedure time, potential complications, and minimize recovery time and pain, it's still not a great idea to declaw your feline friends.

"But why not?! I was so close to freedom, why would you do this to me?!" you shout at me while shaking your fists. And I hear you. I've been there. And I'm going to gently guide you to our friends at The Paw Project for a fabulous list of FAQs developed by experts.

But hey, that's why you're here. The one-two punch of a great local groomer along with Clawndoms means you'll avoid the potential problems (hello life-long litterbox aversion) and still keep your favorite sweater intact.

Scientifically Proven Headlines About Cats and Guns

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Five Surprising Ways Your Cat is Like a Gun

Ten Reasons Why You Should Adopt a Cat Instead of Buying a Gun, Number Six Will Shock You

Woman asks AITA for selling my husband's gun to fund  adopting another cat? Internet has resounding NTA in response.

Studies Show Smart People Adopt Multiple Cats, Not Guns

Looking to Increase Your Earning Potential? Adopt a Cat and Sell Your Guns!

All if those headlines are so much better than the fact that we're 198 days into 2022 and already at 300 mass shootings, and counting. Don't ya think?