Istanbul’s street cats are part of daily life. People feed them, shopkeepers share doorways with them, and visitors can meet them in almost every district. This guide explains why the cats are everywhere and how to behave around them. Estimates of the city’s street cat population range from about a hundred thousand to over a million, and no reliable official count is available.
Last checked: 30 October 2026. The history of the cats is hard to date, so we label claims as reported. Sources: Wikipedia’s article on feral cats in Istanbul and the film coverage listed below.
Why are there so many street cats in Istanbul?
Writers often say that cats came to the city on ships, where they hunted mice, and stayed. That story is told widely, but it is a claim, not a documented fact. What is clear is that people in Istanbul have long tolerated cats and feed them in the street. Turkey has a policy against killing and capturing street animals, as Wikipedia describes it.
Kedi, the film about Istanbul’s cats
The 2016 documentary Kedi by Ceyda Torun follows seven cats and the people who feed them. It is a good way to understand the mood before your trip. Reviewers note that it says little about city policy.
How the city helps
Some district municipalities install feeding machines (mama otomatı). Wikipedia says passers-by put coins into them and the machines dispense food. The one in the photo belongs to Fatih municipality. District mayors have also put up cat houses on streets, as the same article describes. We found no detailed public figures on the budgets, so we do not give numbers.
How to behave around Istanbul street cats
- Let the cat come to you. Do not pick it up or chase it.
- Do not feed from your plate. Use cat food from the street dispensers or a pet shop if you want to help.
- Watch your food at outdoor tables. A cat may jump up, so keep bags on your lap.
- Do not leave a cat shut inside a bag or room. Keep doors closed on shops that have a cat inside.
- Wash your hands after petting a cat, and see a doctor if you are bitten or scratched. Our emergency health guide explains how to get help.
Where you will meet cats
You will meet them almost anywhere on foot. Visitors mention the Kadıköy waterfront, Sultanahmet, Galata and the ferry piers. Our Kadıköy food market guide and Karaköy walking guide both cover neighbourhoods where cats are common. A statue of the cat Tombili, who became famous in the city, stands in Kadıköy, as press reports describe it.
Frequently asked questions
Are Istanbul street cats safe to touch?
Most are used to people, but they are not pets. Do not force contact, and wash your hands afterwards.
