How one rabid kitten triggered intensive effort to contain deadly virus

10 Best TV Commercials Featuring Cats

Cats have often been an integral part of pop culture. Over the years, we've seen several movies, comics, and TV shows featuring adorable feline characters who've entered the zeitgeist.

Despite often portrayed as cunning, aloof, and lazy, cats have managed to transcend these stereotypical representations and sneak into our hearts with their adorably snobbish and goofy nature. While we all remember the iconic cats from movies and cartoons, these furry companions are always a big hit in ads and TV commercials. Let's take a look at some of the most memorable ads featuring cats:

"Walter the Cat" (Chevrolet, 2021)

One of the coolest commercials in recent years, Chevrolet's ad for Silverado features a brown tabby cat that overshadows the brand's gigantic truck with its adorable antics. Walter is a lively cat who loves playing with tennis balls and chasing other cats.

Towards the end, we see him diving into a lake to fetch a stick while a nearby fisherman says, "That's incredible!" The owner mistakenly thinks he is talking about his multi-flex tailgate and goes on to explain its features. However, the fisherman clarifies that he was talking about the cat, baffling the owner.

"The jealous cat" (Wells Fargo, 2019)

Next on the list is Wells Fargo's 2019 commercial. It features a woman who receives a message alert from the company that she's purchased something from "Doggy lover's warehouse." Upon hearing this, her cat becomes jealous and walks away in anger. However, the transaction turns out to be fraudulent, and Wells Fargo reverses it.

"Cats with thumbs" (Cravendale, 2011)

Arguably one of the funniest cat commercials ever made, Cravendale's iconic "Cats with Thumbs" ad became an instant internet phenomenon back in 2011. Turning an ordinary product like milk into an exciting one is no easy task.

It features an army of cats with opposable thumbs breaking into a home to steal milk. The commercial received widespread critical acclaim and was voted ITV's Ad of the Year by 8,000 viewers.

Taylor Swift's grumpy cats (DirecTV Now, 2018)

Taylor Swift's beloved cats, Meredith Grey and Olivia Benson, feature in this quirky commercial for DirecTV. It opens with Swift returning to her dressing room after a performance and greeting her grumpy feline friends.

Her cats, who can talk in the commercial, complain that they were bored and had nothing to do while she was away. They're furious with her for putting on a cartoon for them, saying, "We're not children, Taylor, we're cats." And just as they start breaking things in anger, Swift distracts them by putting on their favorite channel.

"Laser cats" (Go Pro, 2012)

GoPro's simple but effective commercial shows three adorable cats frantically chasing a laser pointer. The tense music and sudden cuts further elevate the experience as the ad ends with the tagline, "GoProp, Be a Hero."

"Feels good inside" (Toyota Corolla, 2012)

A slightly darker choice, Toyota New Zealand's gripping commercial features a gorgeous Persian cat who endures a series of mishaps. The cat hates riding in a car carrier, but an unfortunate event unfolds every time they leave the car.

At one point, they jump onto a dog and get severely injured. The cat ultimately meets with an accident, and as their parents mourn at the graveyard, they miraculously wake up to return home with them in their Toyota Corolla.

"Be more dog" (O2, 2013)

Britain's telecom company, O2, came up with one of the most interesting and thought-provoking ads of the last decade. It features a lazy cat who seems unenthusiastic about life. However, one day, a life-changing realization dawns on them: "Why be so cat? Why not be a bit more dog?" The cat then goes out, starts running around and playing with a tennis ball like a dog. As it ends with the cat becoming friends with dogs and playing with them, the ad almost feels like a love letter to pet lovers.

"Don't judge too quickly" (Ameriquest Mortgage, 2005)

In this hilarious commercial from Ameriquest Mortgage, a man returns home from work and starts preparing dinner for someone special. His fluffy white cat then jumps onto the kitchen counter and spills a pan of tomato sauce. To make things worse, his girlfriend walks in just at the wrong time as she sees him holding the cat in one hand with a knife in the other. The company's theme for the ad was, "Don't judge too quickly. We won't."

"Cat" (Mercedez Benz CLA, 2014)

Unlike most car commercials, which tend to be flashy and over-the-top, this 2014 Mercedez-Benz ad simply features a cat sleeping on the hood of the car, with a funny "meow" serving as the background score. A gust of wind pushes the cat across without them realizing it. The cat wakes up only after they fall off the car. The idea behind the ad was to demonstrate Mercedez-Benz CLA's unique aerodynamic qualities.

"Welcome to the vet" (Specsavers, 2017)

One of the most popular ads in the UK, Specsavers' 2017 commercial is one that'll literally have you rolling on the floor laughing. It shows a vet preparing to examine a cat. He begins his check-up using a thermometer and a stethoscope but soon finds out there is no pulse and calls his assistant, Karen, for help. Karen quickly arrives but realizes that the shortsighted vet mistook her fur hat for the cat. As she leaves with her hat, the actual cat puzzlingly stares at the doctor from across the table.

The post 10 Best TV Commercials Featuring Cats appeared first on CatTime.

View comments

Cravendale 'cats With Thumbs' By Wieden + Kennedy

Cravendale is launching a new integrated campaign in a break away from its previous work which featured plastic cow, cyclist and chicken figurines.

The new ad, created by Wieden + Kennedy, is the first phase of the brand's £12 million national 'The Milk Matters' campaign.

The campaign was created by Freddie Powell, Hollie Sayers, Sam Heath and Chris Groom. The TV spot focuses on a man imagining what might happen if cats were to grow opposable thumbs.

It was directed by Ulf Johansson at Smith and Jones Films and post-produced by MPC. It launches during Coronation Street on ITV on 28th February. The lead cat in the film, Bertrum, is on Facebook and Twitter and features on Cravendale's revamped website www.Themilkmatters.Co.Uk The site, created by digital communications agency Outside Line, allows fans to interact with the adventures of Bertrum.

Say Goodbye To Cat-Related Stress With These 20 Useful Target Products

We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page.

1.A waterless shampoo for the cool cats who really don't like taking baths. This spray is great for wiping dusty paws and clearing off any debris from the outside world while still maintaining the health of your cat's fur.

the bottle of product

2.A bag of PrettyLitter that's a necessity for monitoring your cat's health. Cats don't really show that they're going through the pain of health woes until the going gets bad, and this litter changes colors to act as the liaison between you and your cat's health.

a cat in front of a litter box with pretty litter inside

3.A hooded donut bed so comfortable, you'll wish it came in human sizes. This is basically a bed with a built-in cover, making it the perfect cozy cocoon for their lil' cat naps.

a small dog on the pink bed

4.A Bissell Little Green Pet Pro, because accidents happen — but that doesn't mean you need to keep your feline pal away from their favorite carpeted room. This machine will help you reach professional levels of clean when tackling odors and stains!

model holding portable vacuum with a dog and child sitting nearby

5.Or you can get an odor-eliminating spray if your cat has had one too many accidents and now the carpet just...Smells of them. This works perfectly for carpets, fabric furniture, and hardwood floors — but I personally love using this for the litter area in my home!

stain and odor eliminator spray

6.A tunnel cat scratcher, because a tall, maze-like cat tree may be too high a mountain for your elderly cat to traverse! If they love something that they can scratch at and hide in, this scratcher is a no-brainer.

cardboard tunnel cat scratcher

7.A treat-filled cat puzzle aka a necessity if your cat eats so quickly they get sick! This will help to slow down their meal time by making them search for their food, and will stimulate cognitive health!

A cat with a puzzle

8. An automatic water fountain that's purrrfect if your cat is a diva about their drinking water (no shame). Some cats only prefer to drink water from a running stream, and this fountain works around the clock to make sure your cat's water is fresh and crisp for whenever they need a drink.

Image of cat using fountain

Target

Promising review: "I found this without planning on buying one from Target. I have a former outdoor-only cat that splashes his water dish. I set it up and he and my other cats drank out of it almost instantly. They seem to like it much better than a different one I tried in the past. The price is also great!" —Courtneymay

Price: $26.49

9.A three-level interactive ball track, because playtime isn't just for kittens! This toy stays in its place as balls track through the tiers, making it perfect for older cats who don't have the energy to chase toys around the house.

Cats with a track toy

10.A self-cleaning litter box since cats are picky about where they'll go number two. (They love cleanliness!) This will make sure that your cat has a fresh WC every single time.

gray cat standing in a self cleaning litter box

11.A self-cleaning brush with retractable teeth to make cleanup after a good brushing experience so easy, you'll wish you had purchased it sooner. This is a necessity if your cat needs extra help to groom themselves these days.

the brush in blue

12.An airtight pet food storage container perfect if you have a multi-pet home and need to keep your dog's food away from your new kitty's kibble.

the food container

13.A pair of nail trimmers sure to be a saving grace if your cat's claws are a little too long. Less claw means less excess dirt and litter stuck underneath!

the trimmers in blue

14.A flea and tick collar so that you can let your four-legged friends roam the backyard without worrying about pests! They shouldn't have to forego the outdoors for fear of being bitten, and this collar eliminates existing fleas, ticks, flea eggs, and larvae that are on your cat while preventing new ones from hopping on board. It lasts for about seven months and is water-resistant — so you can really just put it on your feline and forget about the rest!

the packaging

15.A litter mat, because all cats need help to stop tracking litter all over the home. This mat traps litter that comes off your cat's paw after they use the WC.

the grey rectangular litter mat

16.A pet cave because cats love to lounge in enclosed spaces and this super-plush bed will give them a sense of security. It's perfect if you're trying to keep your kitty away from your fancy sweaters at the top of your closet (aka, their favorite napping spot).

gray pet cave with sherpa lining

17.A Greenies dental treat, since a lack of opposable thumbs makes it hard for your cat to brush their teeth. These treats can help promote gum and tooth health, which is imperative for any aging cat! Plus, they'll give your cat fresh breath, which is always welcome.

the 9.75 ounce container of treats

18.And a Greenies Pill Pocket treat that's just like sneaking veggies into a picky eater's meal. Simply place your cat's pill inside the treat, mold the soft treat around the pill, and watch them enjoy every last bite of what they *think* is a yummy snack.

the green packaging

19.A pet feeding mat, because messes are inevitable when dinnertime rolls around! This will keep your floors food-free, and will also protect them from water damage if your cat is the type to splash their water bowl before drinking.

gray pet feeding mat

20.And a bag of adult dry food so your feline can get all the nutrients they need to live a long (and healthy!) life. This dry food contains real chicken, whole grains, vegetables, and Blue Buffalo's LifeSource Bits, which are chock-full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals to support immune health.

a cat with dry food in front of it

The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.

View comments

---