Animated, dark cat for Witch, 14x14 pixels.

In the Middle Ages, cats were present in many households, mainly due to their ability to hunt rodents. Mice and rats posed a threat to food supplies and could also transmit diseases, although the mechanism of disease transmission was not known at the time. People were unaware of the existence of bacteria or viruses, so epidemics were often attributed to supernatural forces or “bad air.”

Cats, as independent and nocturnal animals, were sometimes perceived as mysterious. In certain regions, their presence around women, especially those living alone, raised suspicions, particularly if their homes seemed untouched by illness. Occasionally, such individuals were associated with witchcraft, not due to evidence, but rather a lack of understanding and social fears.

Nonetheless, cats were valued for their practical benefits - they were found in monasteries, farms, and city homes, where they helped protect food supplies from pests.