You’ve seen the face paint. You’ve probably heard the growling, hip-swiveling baritone of a man dressed in a spiked collar and leopard print. But when people search for the Rum Tum Tugger cat, they aren't usually looking for a specific breed recognized by the Cat Fanciers' Association. They're looking for the soul of T.S. Eliot’s most rebellious creation.
He’s a nightmare. Truly.
If you offer him pheasant, he would rather have grouse. If you put him in a house, he wants a flat. This isn't just a poem from 1939; it’s the universal blueprint for "cat energy" dialed up to eleven. The Rum Tum Tugger cat represents that specific, frustrating, and deeply lovable feline contrarianism that makes us obsessed with cats in the first place. Whether you’re a fan of the original Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats or you’ve watched the Broadway musical Cats more times than you’d care to admit, understanding this character requires looking past the spandex and into the actual literary and theatrical history that created him.
The Literary DNA of a Curious Beast
T.S. Eliot wrote these poems for his godchildren. Think about that for a second. The man who wrote The Waste Land—a poem so dense it basically requires a PhD to unpack—spent his downtime writing about a "Curious Cat" who is "terribly bore."
Eliot’s Rum Tum Tugger cat is defined by a singular trait: "He will do as he do do / And there's no doing anything about it." In the world of literary analysis, Tugger is the personification of the fickle consumer. He doesn't want what is available. He only wants what is unattainable.
Many people mistakenly believe Tugger is a specific breed, like a Maine Coon or a Persian. He isn't. In the text, he is described as a "Curious Cat." In British English of the 1930s, "curious" didn't just mean inquisitive; it meant strange, odd, or singular. He is a one-off. A glitch in the feline matrix.
Why the "Rockstar" Persona Stuck
When Andrew Lloyd Webber brought the poems to the stage in 1981, the Rum Tum Tugger cat underwent a massive transformation. He stopped being just a grumpy poem character and became a Mick Jagger-inspired sex symbol. Gillian Lynne, the legendary choreographer, wanted Tugger to move differently than the other cats.
While the rest of the Jellicle tribe moves with balletic grace or precise jazz movements, Tugger is all about the pelvis. He’s raw. He’s messy. He’s the only cat in the show who feels like he belongs in a stadium, not a junkyard.
The original London performer, Paul Nicholas, set the tone, but it was Terrence Mann’s performance in the 1982 Broadway debut that cemented the "Tugger" look. The wild mane. The leather-esque chest plate. It was a 1980s fever dream of what a "cool cat" should be. Honestly, it’s a bit ridiculous if you look at it through a modern lens, but in the context of the 80s theatrical explosion, it was revolutionary.
The Rum Tum Tugger Cat in Modern Media
We have to talk about the 2019 movie. We just have to.
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Jason Derulo took on the role of the Rum Tum Tugger cat in the CGI-heavy adaptation. It was... divisive. To say the least. While the film was panned for its "uncanny valley" visual effects, Derulo’s take on Tugger leaned heavily into the R&B side of the character.
However, many long-time fans felt it missed the mark. Why? Because the Tugger isn't just about being "cool." He’s about being difficult.
- He’s supposed to be a brat.
- He’s supposed to be self-centered.
- He’s supposed to be the cat that ignores you when you call him, then jumps in your lap the moment you start a Zoom call.
Derulo played him as a charismatic leader, but the stage version of the Rum Tum Tugger cat is often more of an outcast by choice. He’s the guy who stays at the party just to complain about the music.
Real Life "Tugger" Breeds
If you’re reading this because you want a real-life cat that acts like the Rum Tum Tugger, you’re looking for high-energy, high-intelligence, and high-defiance breeds.
The Bengal is the closest physical match to the stage aesthetic. They have the spots, the wild look, and the incessant need to be the center of attention. A Bengal will absolutely jump on the table just because you told them not to.
Then you have the Abyssinian. These cats are often called "the clowns of the cat world." They don't just sit; they perform. If a Rum Tum Tugger cat existed in nature, it would likely have Abyssinian DNA—restless, clever, and perpetually bored with the status quo.
Don't overlook the Siamese, though. They have the voice. Tugger is known for his loud, yowling "Mee-ow!" that disrupts the entire Jellicle Ball. A Siamese cat will scream at a closed door for three hours, and then, when you finally open it, they’ll just look at you and walk away. That is pure Tugger energy.
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Common Misconceptions About the Character
One of the biggest myths is that the Rum Tum Tugger cat is the leader of the Jellicle cats. He’s not. That’s Munkustrap. Or maybe Old Deuteronomy.
Tugger is the younger brother who refuses to get a job. In many productions, he’s actually portrayed as Munkustrap's brother, which adds a layer of "responsible sibling vs. rebel sibling" to the whole show. He’s the one who brings the chaos.
Another misconception involves his "leopard" skin. In the original 1981 costume design, Tugger is more of a Maine Coon/Tabby mix with a wild mane. The leopard print was a later addition to emphasize his "exotic" and "dangerous" nature. He isn't a big cat; he’s a domestic cat with a big ego.
How to Handle a "Tugger" Personality at Home
So, you’ve realized your cat is basically a Rum Tum Tugger cat. They don't want the expensive wet food you bought. They only want to eat the plastic crinkle on the floor.
Dealing with a contrarian cat requires a specific set of skills. You have to use reverse psychology. If you want them to stay off the sofa, buy them a very expensive cat bed and put it right next to the sofa. They will immediately ignore the bed and sit on the floor, which is at least a partial win.
- Environmental Enrichment: Tugger-type cats get bored. Fast. You need vertical space. If they can’t climb the walls, they will climb your curtains.
- Interactive Play: You can’t just throw a catnip mouse at these cats. They need to hunt. Use a wand toy and make them work for it.
- Acceptance: Sometimes, you just have to let them "do as they do do." If they want to sleep in the sink instead of their $100 heated cat pod, let them.
The Psychological Appeal of the Rebel Cat
Why are we so obsessed with this character? Why does a poem about a picky cat from the 1930s still resonate in 2026?
It’s because the Rum Tum Tugger cat represents the part of us that wants to say "no." In a world where we’re constantly told to be productive, to fit in, and to follow the rules, there’s something deeply satisfying about a creature that looks at a perfectly good bowl of cream and says, "Nah, I’d rather have a bath."
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He is the ultimate individualist.
Experts in feline behavior, like Dr. Sarah Ellis (author of The Trainable Cat), often point out that cats don't actually have a desire to "spite" us. They just have different priorities. What we see as "being difficult," the cat sees as "optimizing their current environment for maximum personal comfort." Tugger is just the most honest version of that.
Summary of Key Tugger Traits
To truly understand this feline, you have to look at the contradictions. He is a walking paradox.
- The Foodie: Only wants what isn't on the menu.
- The Socialite: Wants to be noticed, but doesn't necessarily want to be touched.
- The Athlete: Capable of incredible feats, but usually chooses to be "terribly bore."
- The Icon: Influenced by rock legends, yet remains a domestic house cat at heart.
Actionable Next Steps for Cat Owners
If you suspect your feline friend has a Rum Tum Tugger cat soul, stop trying to force a routine. Start observing their "contrary" patterns. Use a high-quality puzzle feeder to engage their brain, as these cats often act out because they are under-stimulated. Check out the work of Jackson Galaxy for tips on "catification"—turning your home into a space that satisfies a high-energy, rebellious cat's needs. Finally, reread T.S. Eliot’s original poem. It’s a great reminder that your cat’s "bad" behavior is actually just a 90-year-old literary tradition of being a lovable, stubborn eccentric.