Does the Cat Live in Christmas Vacation?

By Michael Ferguson

If you’re a fan of the classic holiday movie “Christmas Vacation,” you may have noticed a recurring feline character throughout the film. The cat, affectionately referred to as “Snots” by Cousin Eddie, is a source of both comedic relief and confusion for viewers.

But does the cat actually live in Christmas Vacation? Let’s dive into the details.

The Cat’s First Appearance

The cat makes its first appearance early on in the film when Clark Griswold (played by Chevy Chase) is unraveling a tangled mess of Christmas lights on his roof. As he gets closer to the edge, he slips and falls, grabbing onto one of the gutter spouts for dear life. As he clings there, he spots a small brown tabby cat staring back at him from inside the house.

Is This Cat Real or Imagined?

This scene raises an interesting question – is the cat even real? Some viewers have speculated that it may be a figment of Clark’s imagination brought on by his stress and frustration with his holiday plans going awry. However, there are several other scenes throughout the movie that suggest otherwise.

Snots Returns

Later in the film, when Cousin Eddie (played by Randy Quaid) arrives unannounced with his family in tow, he brings along Snots – who has now become a permanent fixture in their RV. The family treats Snots like any other member of their clan and even dresses him up in a festive outfit for Christmas dinner.

  • This scene confirms that Snots is indeed real and not simply a product of Clark’s imagination.
  • It also adds another layer of humor to an already hilarious movie.

The Bonus Scene

If you’ve only ever watched “Christmas Vacation” on TV or DVD, you may have missed a bonus scene that sheds even more light on Snots’ fate. In the original theatrical release of the movie, there’s an additional scene after the credits that shows Snots sitting on a branch outside of Clark’s house. Suddenly, a Rottweiler appears and chases him offscreen.

So, Does the Cat Live in Christmas Vacation?

In short, yes – the cat (Snots) is a real character in the movie “Christmas Vacation.” While some viewers have speculated that he may be a hallucination brought on by Clark’s stress, there are several scenes throughout the film that confirm his existence. Regardless of whether you’re a fan of cats or not, it’s hard to deny that Snots adds an extra layer of humor and charm to this classic holiday film.