We’re kicking off the month of May with another cool contest. Our pals at Pet Ki Enterprises Inc. specialize in handcrafted toys that are designed to stimulate cat’s/kitten’s natural hunting instincts by having toys that resemble real life bugs and critters that cats would normally chase in the wild.
Their RompiCatz toy collection are premium quality, excellent durability and built with top-of-mind safety. Cats never get tired of playing with them.
Some of you may remember the very popular Neko Flies collection of cat toys – they have recently been rebranded in the U.S. as the Critter Collection. Both are now under the umbrella brand called RompiCatz.
We’re excited to announce that Pet-Ki kindly offered us 2 pawsome prize packs from their Critter Collection that two lucky Purrington Post readers will WIN! Each prize pack is valued at $78 USD and here’s what they contain:
2 – classic rods
1 – bugzbird/birbug
1 – cattipeed/kattipede
1 – wily mouse/foxifur kittenator
* Contest Details
This contest ends on May 22rd, 2022 and is available to all North American residents. To enter you simply need to submit a comment in our “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page saying:
My cats names are [names of your cats] and we would love to win this RomiCatz prize pack because [your answer]
The 2 winners will be chosen by the Pet-Ki team from all the correctly submitted entries and contacted by email on or around May 30th, 2022. Have fun with your entry and of course, GOOD LUCK!
Knoxville is well known for its top-notch Southern hospitality to visitors. However, the Tennessee city has become incredibly pet-friendly in recent years, too. Nowadays, you’ll find many pet-friendly hotels in Knoxville, with options for all budgets.
In addition, most restaurants and bars with outdoor seating will welcome your four-legged friend and even include some petting and freshwater.
You can also enjoy plenty of fun activities with your fur child, including an abundance of green spaces, nature trails, and many other outdoor attractions equally enjoyable for human and animal companions.
So if you’re traveling through Tennessee with your fur baby, check out our ultimate guide to pet-friendly Knoxville.
Staybridge Suites is one of the best pet-friendly hotels in Knoxville West. They permit two pets of any size to stay, and you can leave them in the room unattended, providing they remain in their crate. The fee is $50 per pet per stay, so it’s a fab choice if you stay in Knoxville for a week or more.
Another reason we like this hotel is that it’s surrounded by large grassy areas and a small lake where you can walk your fur child. What’s more, the hotel is within walking distance of the lovely Turkey Creek.
The hotel offers a fab breakfast buffet and a complimentary evening social on select nights with snacks and beer. There is an outdoor pool for your enjoyment and a small fitness center. Various room types are available. We particularly like the studio suites with a sofa, fridge, toaster, and dishwasher.
The Hilton in the city center is one of the top pet-friendly places to stay in Knoxville for those looking for a central location. They allow two pets per room, weighing up to 75 pounds. The fixed pet fee of $75 per pet per stay works out better value for more extended stays.
The upmarket hotel has an outdoor pool with sun loungers, a large patio with fire pits, and a fully equipped gym. Plus, the onsite restaurant serves an excellent buffet breakfast.
The hotel is just a few blocks from the Tennessee River, where you can take your furry friend for a gentle stroll. The light and airy rooms have excellent city views, and select rooms have couches. All rooms have coffee-making amenities and luxury toiletries.
TownePlace Suites in Cedar Bluff is one of the best pet-friendly hotels in Knoxville for short stays. They charge $25 per night for up to two pets of any size. The hotel has a small outdoor pool, gym, and laundry/dry cleaning services. They also offer guests a continental breakfast buffet every morning.
There are some superb pet-friendly restaurants nearby with alfresco seating outside. If you’re traveling with a feline, you can take them across the road to Chesapeake’s Seafood Restaurant for a real treat!
The studio-style rooms feature a kitchenette with a stovetop, microwave, refrigerator, and coffee machine. Therefore, it’s a perfect choice if you like to give your fur baby home-cooked meals. The suites either have an armchair or sofa bed, plus a desk and an ensuite with a bathtub.
La Quinta in Knoxville Central Papermill is hugely pet-friendly, letting guests bring up to 2 pets with no extra charges. In addition, the hotel is a short walk from the riverside pet-friendly Lakeshore Park, which is a gorgeous place to go for your morning or evening strolls. Here, you will also be within walking distance of many excellent eateries.
The rooms have carpeted floors, microwaves, refrigerators, and single-serving coffee machines. I recommend booking the Deluxe King Room with a sofa, coffee table, and more floor space. See the available rooms here. The hotel also offers free parking, laundry services, and access to their outdoor pool.
Residence Inn Cedar Bluff is easily another of the best pet-friendly hotels in Knoxville, allowing guests to bring two pets up to 75 pounds, and you can keep them in the room unattended. The pet fee is $50 for 1 to 5 nights and $100 for longer stays.
The hotel serves an excellent breakfast buffet, and there are lovely outdoor patios with cozy seating and heaters to enjoy. The spacious studios have a large, L-shaped sofa, plenty of floor space, cozy carpeted floors, and a small table.
Suppose you’re looking to stay on the city’s outskirts, closer to nature. In that case, you’ll find this Holiday Inn — the best pet-friendly lodging in Knoxville North.
The hotel accepts two pets up to 80 pounds for an additional fee of $35 per stay. In addition, they have select pet-friendly rooms on the first two floors, and you can leave your furry friends unattended in the room while you go out.
The hotel, on Merchant Drive, is a short stroll from many restaurants and bars, including Austin’s Steak & Homestyle Buffet, which serves all the classic Southern dishes. It’s also very close to the off-leash dog park at Victor Ashe and various other small parks and recreation areas.
The rooms have soft lighting, carpeted floors, and air conditioning. They also include many amenities, such as a tea/coffee maker, microwave, and satellite TV.
You can check rates and learn more by clicking here.
Pets can stay for free at all Red Roof Inns, so this is an excellent option if you’re looking to base yourself in Knoxville West. However, the motel only allows one pet per room, so is only one of the best pet-friendly hotels in Knoxville if you have a solo kitty or pup.
Knoxville’s Red Roof Inn is situated in the heart of Cedar Bluff, surrounded by plenty of restaurants and shops. There is a large outdoor patio and pool onsite and many grassy areas. The rooms are modern and stylish, with wooden flooring, a high-quality work desk, a small fridge, and a microwave.
Find out more and book your room at Red Roof here!
Americas Best Value Inn in Knoxville East is a pet-friendly accommodation that charges no additional fee for bringing cats or dogs. You can bring up to two pets of any size, but you are not permitted to leave them in the room alone.
The Inn typically assigns the ground floor rooms to guests with pets. The air-conditioned rooms have modern designs with wooden floors, soft lighting, and a small fridge for keeping your fur baby’s food chilled.
There’s an outdoor pool, laundry machines, and complimentary parking. There isn’t a restaurant on-site, but there are plenty of eateries a short walk from the motel. Check out Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which has pet-friendly outdoor seating.
Crowne Plaza is another of the top pet-friendly hotels in Knoxville downtown, situated close to the university, art museum, and many other attractions.
They allow two pets of any size per room for a $35 fee per stay. However, you cannot leave them in the room unattended here.
The hotel is very close to the pet-friendly World’s Fair Park, Morningside Park, and the Tennessee River, giving you plenty of options for leisurely strolls. In addition, the hotel has an indoor pool, fitness area, lavish restaurant, and pub-style bar.
Many rooms have an armchair or small sofa, desk, TV, and mini-fridge. The rooms have a modern yet warm design, with hardwood flooring and dark wood furniture.
Drury Inn in the West Knoxville district welcomes cats and dogs to stay for a daily fee of $40. Up to two pets are allowed in one room, with a combined weight of 80 pounds. However, this hotel does not let guests leave their pets unattended in the room.
The 3-star hotel offers a daily breakfast buffet to all (human) guests, and there is a hot tub and small indoor pool on site. The standard rooms are surprisingly spacious, and the suites have a lounge area with a large sofa, desk, and coffee maker.
Ready to book? Reserve your room (free cancellation) at the Drury Inn.
Guide to Pet-Friendly Knoxville, TN
Now that you know the best pet-friendly hotels in Knoxville, you’ll be eager to plan an epic itinerary.
You’ll find many pet-friendly Knoxville outdoor areas and natural attractions, including dog parks and walking trails.
You can also treat your four-legged friend to a trip to the dog bakery or the pet spa!
Pet-Friendly Activities in Knoxville
Parks
Lakeshore Park in Knoxville West is a 185-acre general recreation public park where you can walk your dog or cat. It’s a great place to take kitties in particular, as pets must be kept on their leash, so your feline will be safe. There’s a vast open grass area, several walking trails, and some splendid riverfront viewpoints.
Dogwood Park at Victor Ashe Parkis a must-visit pet-friendly Knoxville attraction for dogs of all breeds and sizes. Dogwood Park is a one-acre off-leash area with ramps, tunnels, and jumps to keep your canine entertained for hours. There is also a lovely doggy fountain so your pup can stay refreshed. If you’re traveling with a cat, there are other parts of Victor Ashe Park where dogs must be leased and thus are safe for felines.
Tommy Schumpert Park is an ample green space on the city’s outskirts that has a dedicated dog park. What’s good about this dog park is that there are separate areas for large dogs and small pups, keeping everyone safe and happy. What’s more, there is a dog swimming area, jumping dock, water fountain, and dog waste stations.
Walking Trails
House Mountainis an excellent pet-friendly alternative to the nearby Smoky Mountains. House Mountain State Natural Area is a short 20-minute drive from Knoxville and features a fun hike up to the summit. Although the walk is short, it’s moderately challenging. Still, you’ll experience incredible vistas from the top and can take some fantastic photos with your fur baby there.
Forks of the Riverhas a staggering 50 miles of interconnected trails, forested areas, and splendid river views. Therefore, you’ll find many superb walking routes here, and leashed pets are always welcome.
Ijams Nature Centeris located next to Forks of the River in South East Knoxville. It is a pet-friendly nonprofit nature center with wetlands, rock formations, and 10 miles of trails. Moreover, you can rent canoes, kayaks, and SUPs here, making for a fab activity if you have a water-loving canine. Alternatively, there are many small streams for your pet to refresh and play in.
Activities & Attractions
Knoxville Botanical Garden and Arboretumconsists of 47 acres of landscaped gardens and lawns, walking trails, historic stone walls, and timeless buildings. As pets are allowed into the botanical garden, you can explore it with your four-legged friend, and it’s free entry, too. However, you’ll need to keep them on their leash at all times.
Southside Garage Food Truck Parkis a hip food truck park located in the South Landing area of South Knoxville. They have a large selection of local craft beers, and the food trucks rotate. It’s an excellent place to spend a relaxed afternoon with your pup or kitty as they have a large patio, plenty of grassy areas, and a feel-good vibe.
Knoxville’s Perfect Blend Scavenger Hunt Touris a unique way to explore Knoxville’s sights. What makes it even better is that you can bring your fur baby along. On this scavenger hunt tour, you’ll see landmarks like Bijou Theater, Blount Mansion, and Krutch Park as you complete challenges and solve puzzles. The fun walk lasts around 2 hours, and you’ll explore about 1.6 miles around the city center.
Pet-Friendly Restaurants in Knoxville
Tomato Head in Market Square is one of the best pet-friendly eateries Downtown. They have lots of covered outdoor seating, and the staff will even bring your pet a water bowl. Head here for a tasty brunch.
Downtown Grill & Brewery is another pet-friendly restaurant to check out in the city center. They have front and back outdoor seating, friendly staff, and mouthwatering food. Come here for a creative sandwich washed down with a local craft beer.
Aubrey’s in Strawberry Plains is a farm-to-table restaurant, always cooking with the freshest ingredients. Highlights include Famous Strawberry Salad, Grilled Salmon Tacos, and Buttermilk Fried Chicken. They are open from 11 am to 10 pm, with daily specials and a large pet-friendly outdoor patio.
Cool Beans Bar and Grill in downtown Knoxville is a trendy pit stop for food, beer, and fun. They welcome pets to dine on their outdoor patio. They have over 25 rotating beers and a pub-grub-style menu with burgers, sandwiches, and loaded fries.
Crafty Bastard Brewery is a must-visit for pet owners as they let you bring your four-legged companion inside and out. Plus, they are passionate about helping animals in need and periodically host fundraisers for Small Breed Rescue of East Tennessee. They have over 20 beers (most available on draft), and usually, there is a food truck outside.
Next Level Brewery is another craft brewery worth stopping off at. They will warmly welcome your pet inside, where you’ll find a fantastic atmosphere and over 15 craft beers on tap.
Pet-Friendly Resources
River Dog Bakery – As with many Tennessee cities, Knoxville has a pet-friendly bakery where your pup can enjoy a tasty treat. River Dog Bakery makes a wide selection of fresh-baked dog treats containing human-grade all-natural ingredients, including doggie donuts and brownies. Some are also suitable for felines; just ask the friendly staff.
Scruffy’s Cat Cafe – Scruffy’s Cafe is Knoxville’s own cat cafe full of gorgeous, friendly cats, all available for adoption. Unfortunately, you cannot bring your cat with you, but it’s still well worth a visit for any cat lover. The cafe also has its own merchandise line, of which all profits go to the rescue cats.
Dogwood Grooming – This is not just a standard groomer; it’s a full-service spa for canines and felines alike. They have been running for over 20 years, are experienced in bathing and grooming cats in the most stress-free way possible, and will treat your fur baby like royalty.
Central Veterinary Hospital – We hope nothing happens to your fur baby while you are away. However, it’s always best to research local vets when traveling with pets. Central Veterinary Hospital is one of Knoxville’s longest-running animal hospitals, with three branches throughout the city.
We found Knoxville to be one of the most welcoming cities in East Tennessee for both humans and animals!
Thanks to the locals’ warm hospitality and easy-going nature, spending a weekend or longer in Knoxville TN with a cat or dog is easy. What’s more, you certainly won’t get bored as there are endless parks, trails, and nature spots to explore with your fur child.
Remember to let us know how pet-friendly you found Knoxville in the comments below!
One of the most frequent complaints we hear from cat owners is the frustration of dealing with litter. The smell, the mess, the inconvenience. If you can relate we’ve got great news for you!
Here’s a way to dramatically simplify the process and reduce the aggravation … introducing Kitty Poo Club.
KPC (Kitty Poo Club) is a subscription based service offering the most convenient monthly litter box ever. You’ll receive a new litter box every month, pre-filled with odor-destroying litter of your choice from multiple litter options. * You could WIN a 3-month supply of litter and box (contest details below).
Their patented box and revolutionary litter options set the standard for convenience and simplicity. Imagine less time cleaning and more time together!
Best part? It all costs less than one bag of subscription litter from leading competitors and they even include FREE shipping! Starting at $25.99 per month, you’ll receive a new box and a bag of your preferred litter. Talk about worry free ease of mind.
As noted earlier you even get to choose from any of their premium litter types, and easily switch anytime. Choice of litter options include: fine-grain silica, regular silica, organic soy, and clay.
All of the KPC litters are free of scents, dyes, and chemicals, and most importantly safe for your pets and home.
If you have questions about what to order, their dedicated team of customer service professionals is quick to respond, eager to help, and committed to excellence in customer support.
Kitty Poo Club’s patented, eco-friendly litter boxes are made from recycled materials and can be recycled themselves at the end of each month. Each box is leakproof and built to last a full 30 days for a single cat.
Not meant to be hidden, these boxes are designed to be attractive wherever you put them. Got your interest piqued yet?
We’re excited to announce that Kitty Poo Club kindly offered us 2 x (3-month supply of litter and box) for up to a 2 cat household that two lucky Purrington Post readers will WIN.
* Contest Details
This contest ends on April 22nd, 2022 and is available to U.S. residents only. To enter you simply need to submit a comment in our “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page saying:
My cats names are [names of your cats] and we would love to win a 3-month supply of litter & box from Kitty Poo Club because [your answer]
The 2 winners will be chosen by the Kitty Poo Club team team from all the correctly submitted entries and contacted by email on or around April 29th, 2022. Have fun with your entry and of course, GOOD LUCK!
Disclosure: Please note that by entering this contest entrants agree that their email address will be made available to Kitty Poo Club.This post is a paid promotional placement.
One of the most frequent complaints we hear from cat owners is the frustration of dealing with litter. The smell, the mess, the inconvenience. If you can relate we’ve got great news for you!
Here’s a way to dramatically simplify the process and reduce the aggravation … introducing Kitty Poo Club.
KPC (Kitty Poo Club) is a subscription based service offering the most convenient monthly litter box ever. You’ll receive a new litter box every month, pre-filled with odor-destroying litter of your choice from multiple litter options. * You could WIN a 3-month supply of litter and box (contest details below).
Their patented box and revolutionary litter options set the standard for convenience and simplicity. Imagine less time cleaning and more time together!
Best part? It all costs less than one bag of subscription litter from leading competitors and they even include FREE shipping! Starting at $25.99 per month, you’ll receive a new box and a bag of your preferred litter. Talk about worry free ease of mind.
As noted earlier you even get to choose from any of their premium litter types, and easily switch anytime. Choice of litter options include: fine-grain silica, regular silica, organic soy, and clay.
All of the KPC litters are free of scents, dyes, and chemicals, and most importantly safe for your pets and home.
If you have questions about what to order, their dedicated team of customer service professionals is quick to respond, eager to help, and committed to excellence in customer support.
Kitty Poo Club’s patented, eco-friendly litter boxes are made from recycled materials and can be recycled themselves at the end of each month. Each box is leakproof and built to last a full 30 days for a single cat.
Not meant to be hidden, these boxes are designed to be attractive wherever you put them. Got your interest piqued yet?
We’re excited to announce that Kitty Poo Club kindly offered us 2 x (3-month supply of litter and box) for up to a 2 cat household that two lucky Purrington Post readers will WIN.
* Contest Details
This contest ends on April 22nd, 2022 and is available to U.S. residents only. To enter you simply need to submit a comment in our “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page saying:
My cats names are [names of your cats] and we would love to win a 3-month supply of litter & box from Kitty Poo Club because [your answer]
The 2 winners will be chosen by the Kitty Poo Club team team from all the correctly submitted entries and contacted by email on or around April 29th, 2022. Have fun with your entry and of course, GOOD LUCK!
Disclosure: Please note that by entering this contest entrants agree that their email address will be made available to Kitty Poo Club.This post is a paid promotional placement.
It’s now Spring and what better way to enjoy the great outdoors than taking a leisurely walk with your fur babies. Introducing FikaGO’s new ‘Free to GO’ premium, lightweight, compact and fast-folding pet stroller for cats and small dogs/animals.
FikaGO is a company that specializes in pet products. Their ‘Free to GO’ stroller has been extremely popular in the Asian markets and is now finally available in North America & Europe.
This sturdy stroller is not only stylish and lightweight but also easily collapsible for storage. Designed with your pet in mind, it’s a really practical and clever design.
Look how easily it collapses for transport and storage.
With features like these, what’s not to love?
LIGHTWEIGHT: At only 10.8lbs, the ‘Free to Go’ is one of the lightest strollers in the industry. Folded Dimensions are 12.5 x 22 x 8.6 inches making it extremely easy to carry and store anywhere.
ONE-SECOND FOLDING: The industry’s only automated collapsible stroller that folds in under one second only using one hand. A great option for travel and easy to fit into the trunk of your car.
STYLISH DESIGN: The ‘Free to Go’ is exemplary within the stroller market. Exclusive designs based on Nordic textures and colors by FikaGO’s in-house designer to make your stroller experience stand out from the rest.
MAXIMUM COMFORT: 4 openable mesh windows for absolute cross ventilation to help your cat (or dog) breath comfortably. Soft suspension, and smooth ball bearing wheels make the ride smooth and effortless.
ECO-FRIENDLY DESIGN: The ‘FREE TO GO’ fabric is made from 100% recycled plastic. Even the aluminum frame is fully recyclable.
We’re excited to announce that FikaGO kindly offered us 1 x ‘Free to GO’ pet stroller for one very lucky Purrington Post reader to WIN (retail value over $200 USD). Contest details below.
Imagine … you could be the envy of your neighborhood!
* Contest Closed
This contest ended on April 15th, 2022 and was available to U.S. residents only. To enter you needed to submit a comment in our “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page saying:
My cats names are [names of your cats] and we would love to win a Free to GO stroller. If we won, the first place I would take them is [your answer]
The winner was chosen by the FikaGO team from all the correctly submitted entries and contacted by email.
Check out the video below to see why this is the ‘must have’ pet stroller:
It’s now Spring and what better way to enjoy the great outdoors than taking a leisurely walk with your fur babies. Introducing FikaGO’s new ‘Free to GO’ premium, lightweight, compact and fast-folding pet stroller for cats and small dogs/animals.
FikaGO is a company that specializes in pet products. Their ‘Free to GO’ stroller has been extremely popular in the Asian markets and is now finally available in North America & Europe.
This sturdy stroller is not only stylish and lightweight but also easily collapsible for storage. Designed with your pet in mind, it’s a really practical and clever design.
Look how easily it collapses for transport and storage.
With features like these, what’s not to love?
LIGHTWEIGHT: At only 10.8lbs, the ‘Free to Go’ is one of the lightest strollers in the industry. Folded Dimensions are 12.5 x 22 x 8.6 inches making it extremely easy to carry and store anywhere.
ONE-SECOND FOLDING: The industry’s only automated collapsible stroller that folds in under one second only using one hand. A great option for travel and easy to fit into the trunk of your car.
STYLISH DESIGN: The ‘Free to Go’ is exemplary within the stroller market. Exclusive designs based on Nordic textures and colors by FikaGO’s in-house designer to make your stroller experience stand out from the rest.
MAXIMUM COMFORT: 4 openable mesh windows for absolute cross ventilation to help your cat (or dog) breath comfortably. Soft suspension, and smooth ball bearing wheels make the ride smooth and effortless.
ECO-FRIENDLY DESIGN: The ‘FREE TO GO’ fabric is made from 100% recycled plastic. Even the aluminum frame is fully recyclable.
We’re excited to announce that FikaGO kindly offered us 1 x ‘Free to GO’ pet stroller for one very lucky Purrington Post reader to WIN (retail value over $200 USD). Contest details below.
Imagine … you could be the envy of your neighborhood!
* Contest Closed
This contest ended on April 15th, 2022 and was available to U.S. residents only. To enter you needed to submit a comment in our “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page saying:
My cats names are [names of your cats] and we would love to win a Free to GO stroller. If we won, the first place I would take them is [your answer]
The winner was chosen by the FikaGO team from all the correctly submitted entries and contacted by email.
Check out the video below to see why this is the ‘must have’ pet stroller:
Our pals at Paint My Furkids specialize in custom pet portraits done by their very own in-house artist. They also do oil paintings and other forms of memory keepsakes such as digital artworks and photo prints.
Check out the meowsterpiece they did below with our tuxie (Newman). Impressive huh?
Known for their hyper-realistic hand painted pet portraits, here are two more examples of their work featuring feline subjects Wilbur and Olga.
We’re excited to announce that Paint My Furkids kindly offered us 5 digital cat portraits (1 per winner) for five lucky Purrington Post readers to WIN! The custom portrait of your cat will be digital art in a headshot style.
* Contest Closed
This contest ended on April 15th, 2022 and was available to residents worldwide. To enter you had to submit a comment in our “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page saying:
My cat’s name is [name of your cat]. I would love to win a digital portrait of him/her because [your reason]
The 5 winners were chosen at random from all the correctly submitted entries and contacted by email.
Our pals at Paint My Furkids specialize in custom pet portraits done by their very own in-house artist. They also do oil paintings and other forms of memory keepsakes such as digital artworks and photo prints.
Check out the meowsterpiece they did below with our tuxie (Newman). Impressive huh?
Known for their hyper-realistic hand painted pet portraits, here are two more examples of their work featuring feline subjects Wilbur and Olga.
We’re excited to announce that Paint My Furkids kindly offered us 5 digital cat portraits (1 per winner) for five lucky Purrington Post readers to WIN! The custom portrait of your cat will be digital art in a headshot style.
* Contest Closed
This contest ended on April 15th, 2022 and was available to residents worldwide. To enter you had to submit a comment in our “Leave a Reply” section at the bottom of this page saying:
My cat’s name is [name of your cat]. I would love to win a digital portrait of him/her because [your reason]
The 5 winners were chosen at random from all the correctly submitted entries and contacted by email.
Cats have inspired some truly great works of art. From ancient Egypt to internet cat memes, our feline friends have been depicted in the arts for pretty much as long as humans have been creating images. But beginning in the late 19th century, an English artist named Louis Wain helped usher in a new era in kitty artwork.
Wain’s complicated life will be depicted in a recent movie from Amazon Studios. The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, covers Wain’s rise to becoming one of the Victorian era’s most popular artists, and how his struggles with mental health and poverty impacted his work.
With that in mind, we thought it’d be the perfect time to explore this cat-friendly artist’s life and career, as well as how his drawings of cats helped reshape the public’s imagination towards our feline companions.
Louis Wain was born in 1860, the oldest of six children. Following a childhood marred by financial and emotional hardships, he studied at the West London School of Art. He soon took a teaching position there to support himself, his mother, and his sisters after his father’s death. Wain’s interest in the visual arts was a vital part of his life from an early age, and he would ultimately leave his teaching stint to pursue a career as a freelance artist.
Wain’s time as an illustrator for several English newspapers and magazines helped hone his drawing skills. His early commercial work throughout the 1880s featured intricate depictions of English country estates and landscapes, allowing him to sharpen his keen eye for detail. Additionally, he was often commissioned to draw livestock at farm fairs and agricultural shows.
Wain married Emily Richardson at age 23. After his wife fell ill, Wain rescued a stray black and white tabby named Peter. Stricken with breast cancer, Emily found comfort and joy in Peter’s presence, and her husband would begin sketching pictures of their memories together. Emily passed away from her illness after three years of declining health, and Wain sought to continue his cat drawings to pay tribute to his beloved late wife.
In Victorian England, cats didn’t receive the same love and devotion they do today. Cats were primarily utility animals, useful for catching mice and not much else. They were rarely kept as pets, as dogs were much more popular. Instead, stray cats roamed the bustling industrial streets of London and other modern cities and were seen mainly as a nuisance to business owners.
The work of Louis Wain helped dispel that notion. Beginning with a commissioned cat-themed Christmas spread for the Illustrated London News in 1886, Wain’s cat drawings began to charm the nation. His whimsical pieces depicted anthropomorphized cats in a clever send-up of contemporary English society – playing games, having tea, smoking, and, perhaps most crucially, wearing adorable outfits.
Soon, Wain’s cat drawings were everywhere. Kittens playing cards, riding bicycles, or attending the opera would appear on greeting cards, postcards, collectible prints, and newspapers throughout the country. Wain worked fast, producing hundreds of drawings a year during his most prolific period. His unique drawing technique of working with a pen in each hand allowed him to churn out cats as fast as the public demanded.
Despite this surge in popularity, Wain continued to struggle financially throughout his life. He would sell his pictures outright for mass production and never copyrighted or otherwise protected his works. Poor finances and his relentless output may have contributed to his mental health issues as they progressed.
In 1924, Wain was diagnosed as schizophrenic, and he was committed to a mental hospital. While institutionalized, Wain continued to draw, which eventually attracted public attention and shined a light on his hardships. A public campaign spearheaded by his fans and admirers eventually reached then-Prime Minister of England, Ramsey Macdonald, who arranged to have him transferred to better facilities for ongoing care. Macdonald also issued Wain’s surviving family with a regular pension to recognize his contribution to the arts.
In his later years, Wain’s work grew more abstract and experimental, which some attributed to his declining mental state. His cat drawings began to feature colorful, eclectic flourishes that reflected a departure from his conventional comic style. After producing hundreds of artworks over nearly half a century, Louis Wain passed away in 1939 at age 78.
Today, museums and private collections worldwide continue to display Wain’s voluminous body of work. His drawings all remain in the public domain, and you can still find them on postcards and prints to this day. Thanks to his efforts, cats have undergone a dramatic reevaluation in the public eye, and we still love to dress up our furry friends and imagine them living lives not so different from our own.
In the grand tradition of Louis Wain, cat portraits continue to be a popular way to immortalize our feline buddies. Hanging some cat artwork in your home is a great way to design a cat-friendly space that shows off your love for all things four-legged and feline. A Louis Wain print makes a perfect holiday gift for the art-loving cat owners in your life, as does commissioning your very own custom-made cat portrait.
Image credits: All images are public domain
Author Bio
This guest post was kindly contributed by Hazel Bennett — a freelance writer and blogger. She has a degree in communications and lives in Northeastern Ohio. Hazel loves writing about numerous topics and showcasing her expertise with words.
Cats have inspired some truly great works of art. From ancient Egypt to internet cat memes, our feline friends have been depicted in the arts for pretty much as long as humans have been creating images. But beginning in the late 19th century, an English artist named Louis Wain helped usher in a new era in kitty artwork.
Wain’s complicated life will be depicted in a recent movie from Amazon Studios. The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, starring Benedict Cumberbatch in the title role, covers Wain’s rise to becoming one of the Victorian era’s most popular artists, and how his struggles with mental health and poverty impacted his work.
With that in mind, we thought it’d be the perfect time to explore this cat-friendly artist’s life and career, as well as how his drawings of cats helped reshape the public’s imagination towards our feline companions.
Louis Wain was born in 1860, the oldest of six children. Following a childhood marred by financial and emotional hardships, he studied at the West London School of Art. He soon took a teaching position there to support himself, his mother, and his sisters after his father’s death. Wain’s interest in the visual arts was a vital part of his life from an early age, and he would ultimately leave his teaching stint to pursue a career as a freelance artist.
Wain’s time as an illustrator for several English newspapers and magazines helped hone his drawing skills. His early commercial work throughout the 1880s featured intricate depictions of English country estates and landscapes, allowing him to sharpen his keen eye for detail. Additionally, he was often commissioned to draw livestock at farm fairs and agricultural shows.
Wain married Emily Richardson at age 23. After his wife fell ill, Wain rescued a stray black and white tabby named Peter. Stricken with breast cancer, Emily found comfort and joy in Peter’s presence, and her husband would begin sketching pictures of their memories together. Emily passed away from her illness after three years of declining health, and Wain sought to continue his cat drawings to pay tribute to his beloved late wife.
In Victorian England, cats didn’t receive the same love and devotion they do today. Cats were primarily utility animals, useful for catching mice and not much else. They were rarely kept as pets, as dogs were much more popular. Instead, stray cats roamed the bustling industrial streets of London and other modern cities and were seen mainly as a nuisance to business owners.
The work of Louis Wain helped dispel that notion. Beginning with a commissioned cat-themed Christmas spread for the Illustrated London News in 1886, Wain’s cat drawings began to charm the nation. His whimsical pieces depicted anthropomorphized cats in a clever send-up of contemporary English society – playing games, having tea, smoking, and, perhaps most crucially, wearing adorable outfits.
Soon, Wain’s cat drawings were everywhere. Kittens playing cards, riding bicycles, or attending the opera would appear on greeting cards, postcards, collectible prints, and newspapers throughout the country. Wain worked fast, producing hundreds of drawings a year during his most prolific period. His unique drawing technique of working with a pen in each hand allowed him to churn out cats as fast as the public demanded.
Despite this surge in popularity, Wain continued to struggle financially throughout his life. He would sell his pictures outright for mass production and never copyrighted or otherwise protected his works. Poor finances and his relentless output may have contributed to his mental health issues as they progressed.
In 1924, Wain was diagnosed as schizophrenic, and he was committed to a mental hospital. While institutionalized, Wain continued to draw, which eventually attracted public attention and shined a light on his hardships. A public campaign spearheaded by his fans and admirers eventually reached then-Prime Minister of England, Ramsey Macdonald, who arranged to have him transferred to better facilities for ongoing care. Macdonald also issued Wain’s surviving family with a regular pension to recognize his contribution to the arts.
In his later years, Wain’s work grew more abstract and experimental, which some attributed to his declining mental state. His cat drawings began to feature colorful, eclectic flourishes that reflected a departure from his conventional comic style. After producing hundreds of artworks over nearly half a century, Louis Wain passed away in 1939 at age 78.
Today, museums and private collections worldwide continue to display Wain’s voluminous body of work. His drawings all remain in the public domain, and you can still find them on postcards and prints to this day. Thanks to his efforts, cats have undergone a dramatic reevaluation in the public eye, and we still love to dress up our furry friends and imagine them living lives not so different from our own.
In the grand tradition of Louis Wain, cat portraits continue to be a popular way to immortalize our feline buddies. Hanging some cat artwork in your home is a great way to design a cat-friendly space that shows off your love for all things four-legged and feline. A Louis Wain print makes a perfect holiday gift for the art-loving cat owners in your life, as does commissioning your very own custom-made cat portrait.
Image credits: All images are public domain
Author Bio
This guest post was kindly contributed by Hazel Bennett — a freelance writer and blogger. She has a degree in communications and lives in Northeastern Ohio. Hazel loves writing about numerous topics and showcasing her expertise with words.
