Istanbul is not only home to hundreds of breathtaking attractions; it is also home to the largest concentration of stray cats you may see in any city. These cats can be seen wandering in almost every corner of the town, crossing streets, running on roofs, basking on statues, and playfully jumping between ledges. You will also find them beneath restaurant tables, asking for a small share of your delicious plate of Turkish cuisine. Some cats even grace Istanbul’s top attractions and have gained worldwide notoriety in the process.
You would think that with so many stray cats, many of them look filthy and emaciated, but it’s actually the other way round; Istanbul’s felines are well fed and clean and quite friendly. Therefore, do they belong to other tourists? If not, who takes such good care of them? Why are there so many cats, and where did they come from? Should you be alarmed when you encounter a cat outside your guesthouse at night? To get the answers to these and other lingering questions, stick with us as we explore these furry kings and queens of the streets of Istanbul.
Turkey is a country known for its stunning landscapes, rich history, and perhaps most noticeably – its cats. Felines of all breeds and sizes can be found roaming the streets and alleyways of Turkish cities and villages. But why exactly does this country have such a large cat population? The reasons are rooted in history culture, and religion.
A Long History of Cat Worship
Cats have been prevalent in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) for thousands of years. In fact, archaeologists have uncovered the remains of a cat goddess statue dating back to 6000 BC in central Turkey. This ancient Anatolian goddess was associated with fertility and motherhood. Cats were seen as her earthly representatives.
The ancient people of this region revered cats for their hunting abilities and mystical powers. Cats were believed to have healing properties and the ability to ward off evil spirits. Owning a cat brought good luck and prosperity. Over time cats became interwoven into the mythology and everyday life of the Anatolian people.
When the Ottoman Empire rose to power in 1299 AD, cats continued to be highly valued. The Ottoman sultans kept cats as pets and friends. Cats were welcome in mosques, shops, and royal palaces. Stray cats were fed and cared for throughout the vast empire.
Cats in Islam
Islam also played a major role in the cat-loving culture of Turkey. The prophet Muhammad was a self-professed cat lover. According to legend, Muhammad once cut off his sleeve to avoid disturbing his sleeping cat when it was time for prayers. He also had a favorite cat named Muezza that he cared for deeply.
Muhammad’s affection for cats made them respected creatures in Islamic tradition. Cats came to symbolize cleanliness, health, wisdom, and even holiness in Muslim communities. Mistreating or harming a cat is considered a sin in Islam. Mosques often take in stray cats and care for them.
This reverence for cats remains strong in Turkey’s Muslim population today. It is not uncommon to see bowls of food or shelters provided for street cats around mosques. Cats are welcomed inside during worship services.
Cats as Pest Control
Another reason for Turkey’s large cat population is their usefulness as pest control. For centuries, cats have hunted mice, rats, and other rodents on ships, in barns, warehouses, and homes across Turkey.
The Ottomans purposefully brought cats along to control vermin as their naval power expanded across the Mediterranean. On the street, local shopkeepers and residents will often feed and care for stray cats that control pests in their area.
Beloved in Culture and Media
Today, cats continue to hold an esteemed place in Turkish culture. They are seen as lucky charms, spiritual guides, and protectors. Owning a cat is a point of pride for many Turkish families.
There are many books, poems, songs, and works of art dedicated to Turkish cats. In 2014, the documentary “Kedi” spotlighted the thousands of street cats that roam Istanbul. It became a worldwide hit.
Cats even make frequent appearances in Turkish social media. Accounts dedicated to Turkish cat videos and photos have millions of followers. Scenes of cats resting in mosques or riding public transport often go viral.
Conservation Efforts
While cats remain deeply loved in Turkey, there are growing efforts to humanely control the large street cat population. Animal welfare laws were introduced in 2004 to protect street cats and dogs.
Istanbul and other cities have launched spay/neuter programs to curb overpopulation. Local volunteers also pitch in to feed and shelter street cats in their neighborhoods.
Though no longer worshipped as gods, cats are still treated like royalty by many in Turkey. They have embedded themselves in the Turkish psyche and culture over thousands of years. For a cat lover, Turkey is certainly the place to be.
Why Are There So Many Cats in Istanbul?
First, we put the cat population into context; Istanbul has over 16 million people and an estimated 160,000 cats wandering about its streets. These cats don’t belong to anyone in particular but rather belong to the city, and their large population is attributed to Islam, the dominant religion in the country.
Islam’s Fascination with Cats
Unlike in Christian Europe, where cats were once associated with witchcraft, Islam has always admired cats for their cleanliness. Therefore, these fluffy felines are thought to be ritually clean and, thus, honored. In Islamic traditions, they are allowed to enter mosques, and food touched by cats is still halal. Water drunk by a cat is also permitted for wudu.
In the Hadith, Prophet Muhammad banned the persecution and killing of cats. There is even a famous Islamic saying that says, “If you kill a cat, you need to build a mosque to be forgiven by God.” However, the Prophet also demonstrated a fondness for cats on multiple occasions, and one of his companions, Abu Hurairah (means father of the kitten), was known for this affection for cats.
In one account, Abu Hurairah’s pet cat saved the Prophet from a snake attack. According to the tale, the Prophet blessed the cat by giving them the well-known superpower of landing on their feet. Aby Hurairah also once claimed to have heard the Prophet declare that a woman went to hell for denying a kitten food and water. Another tale narrates that Muhammad once cut off his sleeve to avoid disturbing a cat sleeping on his robe when he had to rise for prayer.
In Islamic tradition, cats protected libraries and granaries from destruction by rats and mice and were thus considered guardians. By getting rid of rodents, they also helped protect the people from rat-borne plagues that would occasionally wreak havoc in the ancient world.
As a result of the religion’s teachings on cats, the felines gained a special place in the Ottoman and other Islamic empires of old. Cat loving monarchs like the 13th century Sultan Al-Zahir Baybars of the Mamluk even endowed a whole garden to the cats of his city where all their needs, including food, were catered for. Even when this garden was sold, the endowment stood, and people continued to take care of the cats in line with the King’s will.
Cats In Turkey – Why Are There So Many Cats In Istanbul?
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