Did You Know Cats Went To World War I And II? They Were 'Hired' For This Reason But Ended Up In Custom Beds And Sailors' Laps

When we think of World War I and World War II, images of soldiers, trenches, air raids and blackouts come to mind. But hidden within these stories of conflict is a quieter, often forgotten presence: cats!

From muddy trenches to naval ships and bomb shelters, cats lived alongside humans during both world wars and played a surprisingly important role in daily survival.

While they never worked in any official capacity, unlike their other animal companions like horses and dogs, cats did help people cope during wartime, emotionally and practically, even as the world judges them for their propensity to do as they like.

Cats In World War I: Life In The Trenches

During World War I, cats were commonly found in military trenches across Europe. Soldiers adopted them for two main reasons: pest control and companionship.

Rats were a serious problem in the trenches, feeding on food supplies and spreading disease. Cats helped control these rodents naturally. But beyond that practical role, cats became emotional anchors for soldiers living in constant fear and exhaustion. Letters and photographs from the time often show soldiers posing with cats, treating them as mascots and companions.

For many men far from home, caring for a cat brought a sense of routine, comfort, and humanity in an otherwise brutal environment.

Cats In World War II: Ships, Shelters And Cities Under Fire

By World War II, cats were present almost everywhere—from warships to city homes enduring nightly air raids.Cats were officially kept on many naval ships to control rats that threatened food supplies and equipment. Sailors believed cats brought good luck, and many ship cats became beloved crew members. These cats lived through long voyages, battles at sea, and dangerous conditions alongside sailors.

In fact, aboard the HMAS Nizam, the ship’s cats had a custom made cat hammock to themselves! And there are many beautiful pictures of soldiers holding what were called 'ships' cats' aboard HMAS Melbourne!In cities like London, cats stayed with families during blackouts and air raids. People often took their pets, including cats, into underground shelters. Wartime diaries describe cats remaining calm during bombings, offering silent comfort while sirens wailed overhead.

Unlike soldiers, cats left behind no memoirs. But photographs, letters, and wartime records show they were constant companions during two of the darkest periods in human history. They slept beside soldiers, curled up in bunkers, and waited out bombings with families. In the middle of bombings, blackouts, trenches, and uncertainty, cats offered something rare - a reminder of home. And sometimes, that was enough to help people survive.