Pusheen is one of the internet’s most beloved cartoon cats. With her chubby gray tabby body, big green eyes, and sweet expression, she has charmed millions of fans worldwide. But is Pusheen based on a real cat? Let’s investigate the origin story of this popular feline.
The Creation of Pusheen
Pusheen was created in 2010 by graphic designer Claire Belton as part of a comic strip on her website Everyday Cute. The first Pusheen comic depicted the tubby tabby announcing “This is my blog!” with a happy raised paw. People loved the simple but expressive gray cat, and Pusheen’s popularity began to grow.
In 2011, Claire partnered with her brother Andrew to turn Pusheen into a brand. They began creating Pusheen merchandise like t-shirts, mugs, and stickers that were sold online. Pusheen gained more fans through her Facebook page which shared comics and photos. By 2013, she had over 1 million Facebook followers.
The Real Cats Who Inspired Pusheen
Though Pusheen herself is an original cartoon character, she was inspired by some of Claire Belton’s real life cats. The first inspiration was Belton’s childhood cat named Pusheen. Pusheen the cat was a chubby and cuddly gray tabby who enjoyed lounging around. Her name came from the Irish word “pusheen” which means “kitten.” Sadly, the real Pusheen passed away well before the cartoon Pusheen was created.
The appearance of cartoon Pusheen is primarily based on Belton’s female tabby cat Stormy. Stormy has a light gray coat, green eyes, and a plump body shape just like Pusheen. She often wears a content relaxed expression that you see on Pusheen’s face. Stormy was even featured in some early Pusheen animated gifs and comics.
Belton has owned several other cats that contributed to Pusheen’s personality and expressions. Her cat Dali, named after the surrealist painter, has a unique alien-like face that inspired some of Pusheen’s more unusual faces. Clementine, Belton’s graceful ginger tabby, influenced Pusheen’s playful and adventurous side.
Pusheen’s Real-Life Details
Though cartoonish in style, Pusheen exhibits many realistic qualities and behaviors of an actual cat:
- Pusheen is a domestic shorthair tabby cat like her inspiration Stormy. This is one of the most common coat patterns for household cats.
- She has a grayish-blue fur coloration known as “blue tabby” in cat show lingo.
- Her body type is considered cobby or compact, with a dense heavy build. It’s similar to British Shorthairs.
- Pusheen’s facial features reflect a real cat’s structure – slightly oval skull shape, triangular ears, etc.
- She is sometimes depicted doing typical cat activities like napping, playing with yarn, knocking things off tables, splashing in water, etc.
- Pusheen exhibits normal cat mannerisms like the slow blink of affection and presenting her back to be stroked.
- Her range of expressions mirror’s cats’ ability to convey emotions through their eyes, eyebrows, ears and mouth.
While exaggerated for comedy and cuteness, these little details give Pusheen a recognizable feline quality. Her animated antics capture the charm and quirks of real pet cats.
Pusheen’s Popularity and Merchandise
Pusheen has spawned a massive franchise over the past decade. Some key facts about the Pusheen empire:
- Pusheen LLC was founded in 2013 to manage the rights and merchandise.
- Over 100 official Pusheen products are available, including plush toys, clothing, mugs, bags, homeware, stationery, and more.
- The Pusheen Shop website launched in 2014 at Pusheen Shop.
- Pusheen has over 21 million followers across social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok.
- A series of children’s storybooks and comic collections have been published.
- A Pusheen mobile app game “Pusheen Purrfect Pick” was released in 2017.
- An animated Pusheen web series and TV specials have been developed.
- Pop-up Pusheen themed cafes and shops have appeared globally.
- Collaborations with brands like Loungefly, Primark, Build-A-Bear Workshop, and more.
Pusheen’s wide appeal has allowed her to become a lucrative character licensing franchise. The cute tubby tabby definitely pays the bills for her creator Claire Belton and team!
Is Pusheen a Cat or a Girl?
Pusheen is considered a female character, commonly referred to as “Pusheen the cat.” However, in official merchandise and imagery, she is simply labeled “Pusheen.” Claire Belton intentionally designed her as a gender-neutral cat who doesn’t conform to stereotypes.
Visually, Pusheen appears as a female cat. But her interests, personality traits, and behaviors are quite human. She enjoys playing video games, reading books, baking cookies, wearing outfits, and much more. So Pusheen exists in an imaginative space between cat and human girl!
Why Pusheen Resonates
What makes Pusheen so special that she gained millions of adoring fans? Here are some likely reasons:
- Cuteness overload – Her incredibly cute and expressive face allows people to easily relate to her.
- Silly humor – Pusheen comics perfectly blend adorable and funny in an entertaining way.
- Relatability – Her love of naps, snacks, Netflix resonates with those lifestyles and interests.
- Imagination appeal – She exists in a whimsical world where a cat can do human activities.
- Gender inclusivity – Pusheen appeals to all genders, not conforming to gender norms.
- Escapism – Her fun, stress-free world provides a form of relaxing escapism from real life.
Pusheen is ultimately so well-loved because she represents imagination, happiness, comfort, and nostalgia for many fans. She’s a feel-good character who brings people joy.
Conclusion
While Pusheen isn’t a real living cat, she is partially inspired by some very real cats that brought joy to their owner Claire Belton. The charming gray tabby combines fanciful storytelling with believable cat traits and behaviors. Pusheen’s universal appeal proves that cat cartoons continue to have a special place in internet culture. This lovable tubby kitty has cemented her status as a contemporary pop culture icon.