Controversial Topic

The consumption of cat meat and the use of domesticated cats as food is not very widespread, but it is common enough in some places to create controversy with animal rights groups. There is a common misconception that cats are commonly eaten in Asia, particularly China, but the fact of the matter is that cat consumption is taboo in most areas, except for a few. These places are the Guandong and Guanxi provinces of China. There are other cultures that have been known to include cat meat on their menus as well, including Vietnam, Korea, and parts of South America.

Many people from Western cultures are particularly aroused by this topic, because the western culture places such a high value on cats as companion animals. To us, to think eat cat meat is often abominable and revolting because we see them as part of our own family. For those who do consume cat meat, it is completely normal and they see no difference between eating a cat and eating beef or chicken. Especially in the poorer parts of Asia, cats are seen as a valuable and abundant food source, not companion animals or family members. But it should be noted that even in cultures that eat cat meat, people still may have cats at home as companion animals.

There are those who are against eating cats (and dogs, for that matter) because they believe it is morally unethical, and then there are those who are against it not because the eating of the meat itself is unethical, but the conditions the animals are raised in are often extremely inhumane. My personal opinion on this topic leans towards the latter; I have no issue with people eating cats, but if there is going to be such an industry, there should be regulations that require adequate food, shelter, and veterinary care.

Cats intended for consumption crowded in cages

References
http://messybeast.com/eat-cats.htm
http://media.wix.com/ugd/19a760_6a1ef886783c45788b0f9ff92215dd50.pdf
http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/asiapcf/03/09/china.animals/

Religion/Mythology

Historically in Europe and in the United States, black cats are seen as unlucky or "evil" because it was once thought that they were associated with witches. It was once believed that witches could turn into black cats, or that they were "familiars" of witches. This myth started largely in the Middle Ages, when people began to associate the nocturnal creatures with being the "supernatural servants of witches" (Glenda Moore). This obviously had a very negative effect on how the public viewed the species. Because of these superstitions, cats were killed alongside suspected "witches" at the stake in widespread "witch hunts" of Europe that took place in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries. The association of black cats and witchcraft is still strong today, as can be seen from the abundance of black cat imagery in Halloween themes. Even in modern times, some people still believe that it's bad luck to have a black cat cross your path.

Black cats are still commonly associated with Halloween and witches.

References
http://cats.about.com/od/catloreurbanlegends/a/blackcatlore.htm
http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2010/09/why-black-cats-are-considered-bad-luck/
http://voices.yahoo.com/cats-cultures-medieval-europe-6224388.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Witch-hunt#Early_Modern_Europe

Film

 Cats are heavily featured (alongside dogs) in one of my childhood favorite movies, Cats and Dogs (2001). In this film, cats are the villains of the world, trying to get rid of their long arch enemies, the dogs. Through antics and delicately-crafted plots, the cats unsuccessfully try to make all humans allergic to dogs so they can take over as "man's new best friend." Although unlikely, a message that the film could have intended is that cats are "evil" and dogs are "good." It may also reinforce the idea that dogs are loyal and honest while cats are conniving and untrustworthy. However, I don't think these are actual messages intended by filmmakers since I think they are just trying to make a comedy for kids. It makes perfect sense to pick these two species for the plot of the movie, since cats and dogs are typically seen as natural enemies, and are the two most popular companion animals today.

Meet the Parents (2000) and its sequel, Meet the Fockers (2004), are movies intended for adults and in which a cat is involved in a small part of the plot. Ben Stiller plays Gaylord "Greg" Focker, who is meeting his girlfriend's parents for the first time (in the sequel, his girlfriend meets his parents). His biggest obstacle is  impressing her father, Jack Byrnes, an ex-CIA agent. Jack has a cat named Mr. Jinx, whom he loves like his own family member. In both movies, Mr. Jinx provides a point of contention between Greg and Jack (or between the two families).

(skip to 1:14)

Again, I think a cat was used specifically for this role because of its perception in society as being more mischievous and "evil" (Jinx seems to intentionally make Greg's life harder) in nature. As with the other movie, I don't think that the use of a cat in this role had any intended messages other than for the purposes of comedy. 

In the movie made for kids, cats are very much anthropomorhized by having the ability to speak and do human-like activities, such as taking on the role of "secret agents." They use technology and tools and are capable of planning an evil plot. In the movies made for adults, the cat is slightly anthropomorphized - it seems to have a slight understanding of what the other characters are saying or doing and even knows how to use the toilet, but for the most part it remains in the role of an animal. 

Literature/Folklore

I think one of the most notable cats in literature is the Cheshire Cat from Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland (1865). In this fantasy tale, a young girl named Alice falls down a rabbit hole into a nonsensical world filled with talking, anthropomorphic animals. One of these characters is the Cheshire Cat, known for his wide, mischievous grin. He appears and disappears randomly and likes to goof around. He is characterized as a very non-serious, playful, and sometimes trouble-making character. I believe that his character contributes greatly to the "madness" and "insanity" of the Wonderland world fantasy, as he truly seems to be the "maddest" of all the characters.

I think that the author specifically chose a cat to represent this character because cats seem to be the troublemakers out of all the commonly depicted animals. Whereas dogs are loyal and honest, you can never be too sure of a cat's intentions. A common perception of cats today is that they are more independent and tend to do as they like. In addition, a great number of people associate the cat with "evil" intentions.

The Cheshire Cat, as depicted in Disney's adaption of Alice in Wonderland

References
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice%27s_Adventures_in_Wonderland
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheshire_Cat

Art

Cats in Historic and Modern Art

The most obvious example that comes to mind when thinking about the domesticated cat in art history is the use of cat imagery in ancient Egypt. The most common form of art through which the cat appeared was through the form of a statue or figure, such as the example depicted below.

Bronze statuette of Bastet, circa 664-30 BC

The cat was a very important animal to the ancient Egyptians. Some of their gods were cats or were very cat-like, given physical and temperamental attributes of cats. The artwork shown above is of Bastet, an ancient Egyptian goddess that represented maternal love and protection. She also possesses soothing and nurturing qualities. This is shown by the four kittens that sit at her feet, and by the items that she holds in her hands - a sistrum (a musical instrument) and an aegis (a cult object with protective qualities). The name 'Bastet' literally translates to "she-of-the-ointment-jar" may also be an indicator of her protective quality, since ointments are used to protect health against disease. 

In modern art, depictions of cats are common. It seems that one of the perks of being one of the most popular companion animals is that you are integrated into art in all kinds of fashions. A quick Google image search came back with millions of results, ranging from realistic interpretations to depictions of flying poptart-cats. A popular trend seems to be the "remaking" of famous historical art pieces and including cats in them. One such example is shown below, in which Salvador Dali's famous "melting clocks" painting is redone to include a few furry companions.

In this painting, cats are depicted as your typical lazy and aloof pet, as many cats today are known for lounging around in sometimes hilarious postures. I think the inclusion of cats in the remake of such famous paintings indicates how much the domesticated cat has been integrated into our society. By depicting them in very recognizable reconstructions of famous artwork, we elevate them to a 'higher status' as companion animals. By giving them artistic significance, we recognize how culturally important this species is to us.

The "Mona Lisa" redone with a cat

References

http://albertis-window.com/2013/08/cats-in-ancient-egyptian-art/

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/26/arts/design/divine-felines-cats-of-ancient-egypt-at-the-brooklyn-museum.html?_r=0&adxnnl=1&pagewanted=1&adxnnlx=1383505461-28Nn/ghHefaeRP297IvK4w

http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/aes/b/bronze_figure_of_bastet.aspx

http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/sistrum.htm

http://books.google.com/books?id=1_7vQ0C_5pwC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=aegis+ancient+egypt&source=bl&ots=iDvjl3qKSY&sig=eAU40SupQvr3uKh4Z5FmK0ubT0w&hl=en&sa=X&ei=tJ92UtONHuPhyQHg8oHQAQ&sqi=2&ved=0CGsQ6AEwDA#v=onepage&q=aegis%20ancient%20egypt&f=false