Did Medieval People Have Pets?

Getty medievalist Larisa Grollemond discusses animal companions in medieval times

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Art & Architecture

A detail of an illumination featuring a man kneeling to pet a dog in a grassy field — A Hunter Combing a Dog (detail), about 1430-1440, French. Tempera colors, gold paint, silver paint, and gold leaf, 10 3/8 × 7 1/4 in. Getty Museum, 87.MR.34.46v

By Larisa Grollemond, Sarah Waldorf

Apr 11, 2023

Pet lovers, gather round.

Let’s talk all about pets in the Middle Ages.

A small herd of sheep stands in front of a small group of farm buildings. A shepherd with a staff stands in the doorway — Milking and Butter Making, about 1510-1520, Workshop of the Master of James IV of Scotland. Tempera colors, gold, and ink, 9 1/8 × 6 9/16 in. Getty Museum, 83.ML.114.3

Animals, domestic and otherwise, had a central place in the lives of medieval Europeans. And it probably won’t surprise you to know that people have always had a special place in their hearts for animal companions.

People living in the Middle Ages had pets that they loved very much. High-ranking men and women were known to keep especially spoiled ones.

A medieval manuscript illuminated with drawings of cats chasing mice — Cats; A Mouse, about 1250-1260, English. Pen-and-ink drawings tinted with body color and translucent washes, 8 1/4 × 6 3/16 in. Getty Museum, 2007.16.33

Cats were prized for their skills at mousing, legendary night vision, and friendship. When Isabella d’Este, an Italian noblewoman, was given a cat as a gift it was reported that the “beautiful and delicate animal had no other home than in the arms of her excellency.”

Relatable.

A detail of an illuminated manuscript featuring a man and woman feeding birds outside of a castle — Fables (detail), third quarter of 15th century, German. Pen and black ink and colored washes, 11 5/16 × 8 1/8 in. Getty Museum, Ms. Ludwig XV 1 (83.MR.171)

Cats and dogs weren't the only pets of the Middle Ages. Songbirds, turtledoves, parrots, and other feathered friends also found special places in medieval households.

A detail of an illumination featuring a small monkey with a collar and chain — Christ before Caiaphas (detail), about 1510-1520, Master of the Dresden Prayer Book. Tempera colors, gold, and ink, 9 1/8 × 6 9/16 in. Getty Museum, 83.ML.114.120

In medieval manuscript illuminations, you can spot even more exotic pets: ferrets, squirrels, and even monkeys. They are often depicted exceptionally well dressed.

A detail of an illumination of a squirrel surrounded by wildflowers — Decorated Text Page (detail), about 1525-1530, Flemish. Tempera colors, gold paint, and gold leaf, 6 5/8 × 4 1/2 in. Getty Museum, 83.ML.115.252

Records indicate that King Charles VIII of France even bought a little red robe for his ferret, and Isabelle of Bavaria’s squirrel reportedly sported a pearl-encrusted collar. And we think that's pretty adorable.

All of these images of medieval pets are available to download for free by searching Getty's Open Content Online Library.

Want to learn more about life in the Middle Ages from medievalist Larisa Grollemond? Head to our Instagram page.