The perception and role of cats have evolved multiple times throughout history, taking on both negative and positive connotations. Cats have been seen as "bringers of misfortune" and, along with goats, were considered incarnations of Satan. In ancient Egypt, however, they were highly revered, with numerous archaeological findings attesting to this reverence.

During the Middle Ages, especially in its early and central periods, cats did not enjoy such privileges. Historical sources often link cats to nocturnal and infernal creatures. They were seen as companions of sorcerers due to their ability to see in the dark. This association is reflected in a passage from the Bestiary of Oxford, dating between the 12th and 13th centuries: “[…] It is commonly called *catus*, from 'to capture.' Others say it is so-called because *capta*, or 'it sees': indeed, its vision is so sharp that the shine of its eyes overcomes the darkness of night.” The cat’s exceptional night vision provided medieval people with an easy connection: night is for sleeping, and those who do not sleep must be engaged in shady, malevolent, or magical activities.

In this historical period, cats were not accepted as domestic animals. There was deep suspicion toward them, leading to the saying, “Put a bell on the cat”, a proverb expressing the difficulty of certain tasks: cats, seen as inherently malicious and aggressive, were believed impossible to tame. Approaching or petting a cat was considered a feat in itself.

However, this prejudice seemed to soften over time. The shift likely originated from the terrible years of the Black Death. Medieval people began to recognize that the plague had spread partly due to rats, which cats could easily hunt.

Thus, thanks to the devastating pestilence, the cat began to take on the role it still holds today as a domestic animal.