75+ Pets in Literature Quotes: Furry Friends in Famous Books
Interestingly, the first known cat that appeared in English literature was in the 8th-century riddle poems of the Exeter Book. From ancient fables to modern bestsellers, pets have played important parts in literature, functioning as faithful companions, symbolic figures, or even central characters in their own right. These feathered, furry, and sometimes scaly companions have enriched numerous stories with their presence, offering comfort, humor, and profound insights into the human condition. To celebrate the presence of pets in literature, we have compiled 80 memorable quotes from a wide range of books and authors. These quotes amply demonstrate how pets have captured heart and imagination over the ages, reflecting as it were our deep-seated bond with our animal companions.
The Quotes
- “To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.” – Aldous Huxley, “Collected Essays”
- “I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” – Winston Churchill
- “All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others.” – George Orwell, “Animal Farm”
- “The cat does not offer services. The cat offers itself.” – William S. Burroughs, “The Cat Inside”
- “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France
These opening quotes set the tone for the diverse perspectives on pets in literature, from humorous observations to profound reflections on the human-animal bond.
- “The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” – Charles de Gaulle
- “If a dog will not come to you after having looked you in the face, you should go home and examine your conscience.” – Woodrow Wilson
- “I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” – Hippolyte Taine
- “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.” – Josh Billings
- “Time spent with cats is never wasted.” – Sigmund Freud
These quotes highlight the loyalty, wisdom, and unconditional love that pets often embody in literature, serving as mirrors to human nature.
- “What greater gift than the love of a cat?” – Charles Dickens
- “The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man’s.” – Mark Twain, “Letters from the Earth”
- “I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat.” – Edgar Allan Poe
- “A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle.” – Ian Fleming, “The Living Daylights”
- “In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” – Terry Pratchett
These quotes showcase the diverse ways in which authors have portrayed pets, from reverent to humorous.
- “The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.” – Anonymous
- “Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.” – James Herriot, “All Creatures Great and Small”
- “Outside of a dog, a book is man’s best friend. Inside of a dog it’s too dark to read.” – Groucho Marx
- “I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.” – Jean Cocteau
- “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” – Albert Schweitzer
These quotes reflect on the comfort and companionship that pets provide, a common theme in literature.
- “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi
- “Animals are such agreeable friends―they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms.” – George Eliot, “Scenes of Clerical Life”
- “If having a soul means being able to feel love and loyalty and gratitude, then animals are better off than a lot of humans.” – James Herriot
- “If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and man.” – Mark Twain
- “I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” – Doris Day
These quotes highlight how pets in literature often serve as moral compasses or examples of unconditional love.
- “A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” – Ernest Hemingway
- “I think I could turn and live with the animals, they are so placid and self-contained.” – Walt Whitman, “Song of Myself”
- “The trouble with a kitten is that eventually it becomes a cat.” – Ogden Nash
- “No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.” – Louis Sabin
- “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” – Ben Williams
These quotes reflect on the emotional honesty and simplicity of animals, qualities that are often contrasted with human complexity in literature.
- “To err is human, to purr is feline.” – Robert Byrne
- “If a fish came to me, and told me he was going on a journey, I should say, ‘With what porpoise?'” – Lewis Carroll, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland”
- “The only creatures that are evolved enough to convey pure love are dogs and infants.” – Johnny Depp
- “Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose.” – Garrison Keillor
- “The dog is the god of frolic.” – Henry Ward Beecher
These quotes showcase the wit and wordplay that often accompanies depictions of pets in literature.
- “A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” – Robert Benchley
- “Cats are rather delicate creatures and they are subject to a good many ailments, but I never heard of one who suffered from insomnia.” – Joseph Wood Krutch
- “The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” – Andy Rooney
- “There are few things in life more heartwarming than to be welcomed by a cat.” – Tay Hohoff
- “The world would be a nicer place if everyone had the ability to love as unconditionally as a dog.” – M.K. Clinton
These quotes highlight the endearing qualities of pets that make them such beloved characters in literature.
- “I have lived with several Zen masters — all of them cats.” – Eckhart Tolle
- “Dogs feel very strongly that they should always go with you in the car, in case the need should arise for them to bark violently at nothing right in your ear.” – Dave Barry
- “Cats are smarter than dogs. You can’t get eight cats to pull a sled through snow.” – Jeff Valdez
- “The smallest feline is a masterpiece.” – Leonardo da Vinci
- “You can say any foolish thing to a dog, and the dog will give you a look that says, ‘Wow, you’re right! I never would’ve thought of that!'” – Dave Barry
These quotes showcase the humorous observations about pet behavior that often find their way into literature.
- “If you are a dog and your owner suggests that you wear a sweater, suggest that he wear a tail.” – Fran Lebowitz
- “Cats have it all – admiration, an endless sleep, and company only when they want it.” – Rod McKuen
- “The dog is the perfect portrait subject. He doesn’t pose. He isn’t aware of the camera.” – Patrick Demarchelier
- “A dog will flatter you but you have to flatter the cat.” – George Mikes
- “I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals.” – Winston Churchill
These quotes reflect on the unique personalities of different pets, a common theme in literature.
- “The cat could very well be man’s best friend but would never stoop to admitting it.” – Doug Larson
- “To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.” – Aldous Huxley
- “Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.” – Robert A. Heinlein
- “A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.” – Josh Billings
- “There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast.” – Unknown
These quotes humorously capture the dynamics between pets and their owners, a relationship often explored in literature.
- “In ancient times cats were worshipped as gods; they have not forgotten this.” – Terry Pratchett
- “The dog has got more fun out of Man than Man has got out of the dog, for the clearly demonstrable reason that Man is the more laughable of the two animals.” – James Thurber
- “I have studied many philosophers and many cats. The wisdom of cats is infinitely superior.” – Hippolyte Taine
- “Dogs come when they’re called; cats take a message and get back to you later.” – Mary Bly
- “If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word too much.” – Mark Twain
These quotes reflect on the perceived wisdom and independence of cats versus the loyalty and enthusiasm of dogs, a common contrast in literature.
- “The cat does not offer services. The cat offers itself.” – William S. Burroughs
- “A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down.” – Robert Benchley
- “Cats are connoisseurs of comfort.” – James Herriot
- “The dog is a gentleman; I hope to go to his heaven, not man’s.” – Mark Twain
- “I love cats because I enjoy my home; and little by little, they become its visible soul.” – Jean Cocteau
These quotes highlight the unique qualities that make pets such compelling characters in literature.
- “The better I get to know men, the more I find myself loving dogs.” – Charles de Gaulle
- “There are two means of refuge from the miseries of life: music and cats.” – Albert Schweitzer
- “Dogs have owners, cats have staff.” – Unknown
- “A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not.” – Ernest Hemingway
- “The greatest pleasure of a dog is that you may make a fool of yourself with him and not only will he not scold you, but he will make a fool of himself too.” – Samuel Butler
These quotes reflect on the emotional connections we form with our pets, a theme often explored in literature.
- “I wish I could write as mysterious as a cat.” – Edgar Allan Poe
- “The dog is the god of frolic.” – Henry Ward Beecher
- “Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose.” – Garrison Keillor
- “No matter how little money and how few possessions you own, having a dog makes you rich.” – Louis Sabin
- “There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.” – Ben Williams
These quotes showcase the diverse roles that pets play in literature, from muses to therapists.
- “Time spent with cats is never wasted.” – Sigmund Freud
- “The average dog is a nicer person than the average person.” – Andy Rooney
- “If a fish came to me, and told me he was going on a journey, I should say, ‘With what porpoise?'” – Lewis Carroll
- “To his dog, every man is Napoleon; hence the constant popularity of dogs.” – Aldous Huxley
- “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” – Anatole France
These final quotes encapsulate the profound impact that pets have had on literature and on our lives.
From providing comic relief to profound insights into the human condition, the literary pets have enriched countless stories and stolen the hearts of readers for generations as we reflect on these 80 quotes about pets in literature.
These quotes amazingly bring out the different roles of pets in literature: those of a loyal companion, a mirror to human nature, a source of wisdom, and unconditional love. They remind us of the deep emotional connections we form with our animal friends and the valuable lessons they can teach about life, love, and loyalty.
For any animal owner, lover, or reader, these literary quotes about pets remind one of the cheer and richness the animals bring into our lives. They remind us to appreciate those unique personalities in our pets and even see them sometimes in a new light: the potential protagonists of our own unwritten stories. After all, as these quotes show, sometimes the greatest tales take place between a human and their dear pet.
