| “ | Look, genius, you're part of a TV show. You know what that is, television? It's entertainment for people. It's fake! Nothing you think is real is real! | „ |
| ~ Mittens to Bolt |
| “ | No. No, Bolt! That's what they do, OK? They act like they love you! They act like they'll be there forever! And then one day they pack up all their stuff and move away and take their love with them and leave their declawed cat behind to FEND FOR HERSELF! [Sighs] They leave her... wondering... what she did wrong. | „ |
| ~ Mittens expressing her distrust of humans to Bolt, while revealing her tragic past. |
| “ | Mittens: Hey, wags! Bolt: Mittens? What are you doing here? Mittens: Long story short, I was tied to a delusional dog and dragged across the country. But that is not important now. The real question is, what are you doing here? And why aren't you in there? Bolt: You were right about her, Mittens. She... Well, it wasn't real. Mittens: No, Bolt. It is real. I was in there just now. I saw her face after you left. She's brokenhearted. She doesn't want just any dog. She loves you. She's your person, Bolt, and you are her dog. |
„ |
| ~ Mittens, realizing she was wrong about Penny, tries to convince Bolt that he belongs with her. |
Mittens is the deuteragonist of Disney's 48th full-length animated feature film Bolt.
Mittens is a sassy and short-tempered street cat who Bolt at first believed was an agent of Dr. Calico, but later they became friends. She is pessimistic and has a dry sense of humor. She is a thief and a survivor. She wasn't interested in friendship at first, but she is eventually moved by Bolt's loyalty. Judging by her color patterns, she appears to be a Tuxedo cat. She speaks in a New Yorker accent.
She is voiced by Susie Essman in English, and by Makiko Esumi in Japanese.
Personality[]
| “ | Bolt: You just can't stop lying, can you, cat? It's in the genes. This is gross. Mittens: I know. It's disgusting. I disgust myself. |
„ |
| ~ Mittens |
Mittens is a very intelligent and street-smart cat and a true friend. Granted by Bolt and herself, lying is in her genes, to her disgust. She has shown to be patient and tolerant, even when dragged around on a leash. However, she suffered great trauma when her owners threw her out, bringing out a lot of the darker side in her. She suffered from traumatophobia, a fear of battle and physical injury. She also became sassy, sarcastic, short-tempered, and pessimistic.
Near the end of the film, Mittens realized she had judged humans too harshly from her own experience. Upon seeing Penny pretending to be happy when the filmmaker provided her a replacement dog who resembled Bolt, she immediately told the distraught real Bolt what his owners truly felt. After Bolt and Penny's hectic reunion, Mittens finally let go of such prejudice now that Penny took her and Rhino as well.
Biography[]
Little is known about Mittens' early life, except that she once belonged to an unknown family with whom she shared a deep bond. One day, the family decided to move and chose not to take Mittens with them. They left her behind, declawed, making Mittens feel deeply upset and betrayed. This traumatic experience haunted her for a long time, fostering a hatred and distrust of humans. Abandoned, Mittens adopted the life of a stray alley cat, leading a group of pigeons that collected scraps of food for her in exchange for protection. However, she often mistreated them unintentionally, reflecting the treatment she had received from her previous owners.
On one particular day, Mittens was displeased with a pigeon named Louie, who had brought her only a tiny crumb of food. She threatened to use her claws on him (though she had none) and decreed that all the pigeons' food for the coming week would be hers alone. Fed up with her bullying, Louie boldly declared that someone would eventually stand up to her. After Louie left, Mittens sarcastically mocked the idea of anyone challenging her authority. Suddenly, she was tackled into a trash can by an enraged dog named Bolt, who had been misled into believing she was an agent of Dr. Calico. Startled and confused by this unexpected attack, Mittens attempted to reason with Bolt but was interrupted by the laughter of three pigeons—Joey, Vinnie, and Bobby—who egged Bolt on by demanding Mittens reveal Penny's whereabouts. Mittens nervously insisted to the pigeons that she wasn't involved with Dr. Calico, but they claimed otherwise. With no answers to offer, Mittens nervously laughed as Bolt threatened to drop her from a nearby bridge if she didn't cooperate. To save herself, Mittens feigned knowledge of Penny's location, pretending to be a minion of Dr. Calico. Noticing the label "Hollywood" on Bolt's collar, she cleverly suggested they head there. Later, while still maintaining her charade as Dr. Calico's minion, Mittens pulled out a map from a dumpster outside a waffle restaurant, pointing to Hollywood as their destination—far across the country from New York City. Thinking she'd fulfilled her part of the plan, she asked Bolt to release her. However, Bolt refused, insisting he would only let her go after finding Penny, much to Mittens' frustration.
As Bolt dragged Mittens around the city, even attaching a leash to prevent her escape, he spotted a moving van marked with a Hollywood sign. Mistaking it for transportation to Penny, Bolt attempted to melt the lock using his supposed heat vision. Confused by Bolt's behavior, Mittens hinted at her own displeasure while watching him stare at the padlock. When the van's drivers returned, Bolt fled with Mittens still tethered to him, causing her to hit a mailbox and lose consciousness. Bolt then dragged her into the van as it departed towards Ohio. As they traveled, Mittens rummaged through boxes inside the van while trying to engage Bolt in conversation. Curious about his "powers," she speculated that he might not have any, prompting Bolt to boast about his "super bark." Mittens, still surprised, maintains her conversation with Bolt until she notices a baseball bat in one of the higher boxes. Curiosity piqued, she climbs up to grab it while questioning Bolt about his "super bark." Bolt, keeping things mysterious, avoids answering and instead insists that Mittens take him to Penny. Observing his attachment to Penny, Mittens tries to convince him that Penny is just "a person" and not really "his person," as Bolt claims. Meanwhile, she attempts to lift the bat to strike Bolt. The bat's weight overwhelms Mittens, causing her to topple backwards and knock a box of Styrofoam onto Bolt. Convinced that Styrofoam weakens him, Bolt panics, bolts to the van's rear door, and leaps out while it's on the highway, unintentionally dragging Mittens along. Both land in a field beside the highway, with Bolt injuring his paw and starting to bleed. Unfamiliar with blood, he is bewildered until Mittens explains, albeit while scolding him for his reckless actions. Still attributing his weakness to Styrofoam, Bolt cowers at a Styrofoam peanut nearby. Frustrated by Bolt's irrational fear, Mittens picks up some Styrofoam and threatens him unless he unties her. She nearly frees herself, but Bolt distracts her, knocks away the Styrofoam, and pins her down. With resignation, Mittens agrees to lead him to Penny. Just then, Bolt's stomach growls—a sensation new to him—and he suspects Mittens of poisoning him when it's simply hunger, as she points out. Clueless about this feeling, Bolt demands an "antidote," leading Mittens to follow a scent trail to an RV park campsite. There, she instructs Bolt to "use the dog face"—begging—for food.
Uncomprehending, Bolt is confused by her request. Astounded at his lack of understanding, Mittens bemoans finding herself with "the only dog on Earth who doesn't know how to beg." Begrudgingly seeking food himself, he listens to her instructions. Despite his disdain for taking advice from a cat—a creature he calls "a degenerate creature of darkness"—he follows Mittens' directions and performs a convincing "dog face." This cooperation yields success as Bolt manages to collect food from several RVs. While Mittens attempts begging too, she is met with hostility, dodging a flying frying pan from an irate camper. Eager to resume the search for Penny, they encounter Rhino, who is thrilled to meet Bolt the Superdog. To Mittens' chagrin, Rhino believes in Bolt’s abilities and insists on joining them. Guiding them towards a train, Rhino unwittingly risks their safety; Mittens tries to escape before the train passes. Her unease grows when Rhino mentions Bolt’s previous adventures in the "magic box," leading her to realize he's just a TV dog. Unfortunately for her, it's too late as they board the train with Rhino. Now distrustful of Bolt and vexed by Rhino's relentless defense of Bolt against imagined threats from her, they are flung off the train and all sustain injuries upon landing.
Mittens scurries up a tree, voicing her frustrations at Bolt for his lack of understanding about the real world, while Rhino searches for a ladder. Bolt insists Mittens come down to continue their quest to find Penny, but she refuses, criticizing him for his misguided belief in non-existent powers and his ignorance of life's basics. Bolt dismisses her claims and threatens to unleash his Super Bark, yet Mittens remains unfazed, mocking his idle threats as he merely barks. Eventually, Mittens agrees to come down, asking politely for him to stop, but Bolt is determined to prove her wrong. Suddenly, animal control approaches, leaving Mittens terrified and blaming Bolt for their predicament. Bolt's attempts to escape using his "powers" fail until Rhino manages to rescue him, leaving Mittens behind. In despair, Mittens resigns herself to a life in the pound, but later hears Bolt's voice again. Confused at his return, she learns that he plans to free her. Surprised by his loyalty, Mittens nonetheless worries about Bolt's belief in his powers until realizing he has finally acknowledged the truth. Together, despite being unprepared, they attempt a daring escape. When their exit is blocked, their fate seems sealed until an employee slips on dog saliva and inadvertently bumps Rhino into another worker blocking the door. They seize the opportunity to escape, hitching a ride on a truck hauling a house.
Grateful for Bolt's return, Mittens' disappointment turns into empathy as she helps him embrace living a normal life over one with imaginary powers. She explains the comforts of a normal home, and when Rhino plays with the vents, Mittens encourages Bolt to put his head out of the window—a simple joy he relishes. As they journey towards Hollywood, Mittens teaches Bolt how to live like a proper dog and socialize with others. Happiness finds Mittens alongside Bolt and Rhino, especially after a rainstorm washes away Bolt's lightning mark. Their days together include a joyful night in Vegas, presumably sleeping snugly close to dumpsters until Mittens awakens Bolt for a surprise. With excitement, she shows him their makeshift home with boxes as shelter, hoping he’ll stay with her. However, Bolt remains fixated on finding Penny, frustrating Mittens once more. She forcefully drags him to a billboard featuring "Bolt," intending to prove that while she's real, everything in the movie—including Penny—is fake. Bolt counters that Penny’s love is genuine, but Mittens shares her painful past and reveals she's been declawed, explaining why she never went indoors. Overcome with emotion and questioning what she did to deserve such pain, Mittens opens up to Bolt. Though he feels sympathy for her story, he insists Penny is different. Exasperated, Mittens tells him to go if Penny matters so much but apologizes for having ever pitied him. Bolt wishes her well and departs.
Despite this, Mittens is visibly upset by her actions, knowing she drove Bolt away. To cope, she tries to keep Rhino around, suggesting Bolt had to leave and had instructed her to inform Rhino. However, Rhino refuses to heed any of "Bolt's instructions" and insists on going after him. Mittens is puzzled by his determination, to which Rhino replies that Bolt taught him the importance of never abandoning a friend, no matter the circumstances. Inspired, Mittens decides to accompany Rhino to Hollywood to find Bolt. Upon reaching Hollywood, they head to the television studio where "Bolt" is being filmed, aware that Bolt might be there. At the studio, they encounter an employee dressed as one of Dr. Calico's henchmen. Rhino wants to engage, but Mittens urges caution, though Rhino is intent on fighting and charges ahead. While observing, Mittens sneaks into the studio and sees Penny embracing a new Bolt and appearing happy. However, when the filming ends, Mittens notices Penny's sadness, realizing she truly wants the original Bolt back. This revelation spurs Mittens into action as she rushes to find Bolt. She discovers him on the street, despondent over Penny's apparent rejection. When Mittens reaches him, Bolt admits she was correct about Penny, but Mittens tells him how heartbroken Penny seemed and that she wants him back despite appearances. Just as she explains, Bolt becomes convinced Penny is in danger, prompting them both—along with Rhino—to rush to her rescue. During this rescue mission, Rhino attempts a self-sacrifice to aid Bolt, but Mittens saves him while Bolt enters the building. While waiting outside, Mittens and Rhino fear the worst until they hear Bolt's bark and see him emerge safely. Mittens and Rhino take shelter under the stretcher carrying Penny and Bolt as they remain with them.
Three days later, Mittens is adopted by Penny and her mother and receives a fur trim. She is clearly delighted with her new home, happy to have owners who genuinely care for her. As the credits roll, Mittens is shown thriving in her new life, content with her family alongside Penny and her mother.
Other Media[]
In Once Upon a Studio, Bolt, Mittens, and Rhino appear with Minnie Mouse, seeing Bernard, Miss Bianca, and Orville, crashing after they have just emerged from their frame. They also participate in the group photo alongside Penny.
Quotes[]
| “ | Mittens: Yeah, I'm really scared now. [Bolt pins Mittens to a trash can.] Bolt: You should be! Mittens: [Screams] Okay! Yeah! Bolt: Where is she?! Mittens: Uh... who? Bolt: You know why I'm here. Where is she?! Mittens: Okay, okay. Look, buddy, I don't know what you're getting at, but... Vinnie: Come on, Mittens. Just tell the guy where she is. Tell the dog, make him happy. Bobby: Yeah, yeah, c'mon, Mittens, tell him! Mittens: [Laughs] Joey, Vinnie, Bobby, my boys. Would you tell the crazy canine that he's got the wrong cat? |
„ |
| ~ Mittens meets Bolt for the first time, not the most pleasantly. |
| “ | WHOA! HEY, YOU'RE CRAZY, MAN! | „ |
| ~ Mittens as Bolt holds her above the traffic to force her to talk. |
| “ | But if you put me down, I'll show you where she is. | „ |
| ~ Mittens convincing Bolt that she will lead him to Penny. |
| “ | Mittens: You know, I hope you appreciate the risk I'm taking here. Every bone in my evil cat body is telling me not to betray the trust of the Green-Eyed Man. Okay. This is a top, top-secret map of the entire Earth. Now we're over here, by the green lady with the big torch, and my boss has Penny locked up... Uh... Right... Right over... Here, here! By the waffle with the sunglasses. Now all you need to do is get from here to there. Well, I told you where to find her so if you'll just untie me, I'll be on my way. Bolt: I'll release you, cat, when we find Penny. Mittens: Excuse me? That wasn't the deal. We had a deal! Bolt: Your deal just expired. |
„ |
| ~ Mittens reluctantly helping Bolt, only to have to help him even more. |
| “ | Mittens: Listen, Cujo, I got some pretty wicked claws under these mitts, do not, I beg of you, do not make me bring out these bad boys! It gets ugly! What are you doing? Bolt: Stay back! If I stare at the lock really hard, it'll burst into flames and melt. Mittens: Now I'm concerned on a number of levels. |
„ |
| ~ Mittens to worry about Bolt's strange behavior. |
| “ | Slow down! You're scraping the fur off my... | „ |
| ~ Mittens before being knocked out against a mailbox. |
| “ | Tuck and what?! | „ |
| ~ Mittens before Bolt takes her with him in his jump out of the truck. |
| “ | Mittens: It's called blood, hero. Bolt: Do I need it? Mittens: Yes, so if you want to keep it inside your body where it belongs, you should stop jumping off trucks doing 80 ON THE INTERSTATE!! |
„ |
| ~ Mittens criticizes Bolt's recklessness. |
| “ | Mittens: That's it. I've had it with you. Untie me, pooch, or I'm gonna... I'm gonna... I'm gonna seriously wound you! I'm gonna seriously wound you with this Styrofoam! Bolt: Are you mad? You don't know the power of Styrofoam! Mittens: Oh, you bet I'm mad, baby! And I'm about to unleash it! The power of the Styrofoam! |
„ |
| ~ Exasperated, Mittens tries to force Bolt to let her go by using his Styrofoam phobia. |
| “ | No, no. No more problems. I'll take you to Penny. | „ |
| ~ The failure of Mittens' first escape attempt. |
| “ | Figures I'm tied to the one dog on Earth that doesn't know how to beg. Huh. If you want the f... ah, the antidote, you're gonna have to do exactly what I say. | „ |
| ~ Mittens annoyed that Bolt doesn't know beg. |
| “ | Hey, can we talk for a second? I don't know what's going on here, but I'm just a little bit concerned about the number of lunatics on this trip. My limit is one. | „ |
| ~ Mittens refuses to have Rhino join the trip. |
| “ | You're crazy! Stay away from me! | „ |
| ~ Mittens refuses Bolt's help. |
| “ | The real world hurts, doesn't it?! But you wouldn't know about that, would you?! | „ |
| ~ Mittens to Bolt after falling off the train. |
| “ | You can't, Bolt! You got nothing! No super strength, no super bark... and no heat vision! Listen to me, okay? We're being taken to a place where humans go animal shopping, all right? And this is what humans do. They always pick the cute ones. The ones that look like you, Bolt, but the rest of us never come back out. | „ |
| ~ Mittens to Bolt in the impound truck. |
| “ | Bolt: Mittens? Mittens: Bolt? Wh... Wha... What are you doing here Bolt: I’m busting you out. Mittens: You... You came all the way back here... For me? Bolt: Yeah. Mittens: But how’d you...? I mean... You don’t have any superpowers! Bolt: I know. Mittens: Really? Bolt: Yeah. Mittens: Wow. Crazy day for ya, huh? Bolt: It’s been a lot, yes, it has. Are you ready for this? Mittens: No. Bolt: Me neither. |
„ |
| ~ Mittens is freed from her cage. |
| “ | Ah, don't worry about it. Being a regular dog is, like, the greatest gig in the world. Okay? Look. I'm gonna let you in on a little secret, okay? A little-known cat secret. You know why we hate dogs? 'Cause we wanna be dogs. We have dog complexes. | „ |
| ~ Mittens explains why cats hate dogs |
| “ | Mittens: And on cold nights, this and a ball of yarn... It doesn't get better than that. Bolt: You, uh... You seem to know a lot about these places. Mittens: Yeah, I did my time in one of these, but I'm more of an alley cat at heart, you know? Sprung out first chance I got. Never looked back. |
„ |
| ~ Mittens briefly talks about her time as a pet. |
| “ | Okay, okay. No peeking. All right, now, open them. Bask in the glow, baby. | „ |
| ~ Mittens showing Bolt what she believed to be their permanent residence. |
| “ | Look at me, Bolt. I'm real. Now, how about this? Is that real? Does this look real to you? Or that? Is that real? Or that? How about that, Bolt? She's an actress. She's just pretending. | „ |
| ~ Mittens objects to Bolt continuing to go find Penny because she doesn't believe their bond is real. |
| “ | Mittens: Get out of here, Bolt! I never should've taken pity on you. Bolt: Mittens... Mittens: Just get out of here, Bolt! Bolt: [Starts to walk away] You take care, Mittens. |
„ |
| ~ Mittens and Bolt go their separate ways. |
| “ | NOT on My Watch Rhodent! | „ |
| ~ Mittens saves Rhino. |
| “ | Rhino: That is totally unrealistic. Bolt: Absolutely ridonculous. Mittens: You could say that again. [Gets scratched by Penny's mom] Oh, yeah. Right there, right there. Over. Yeah, that's the spot. |
„ |
| ~ Mittens enjoying her new life. |
Gallery[]
Bolt[]
Other[]
Videos[]
Trivia[]
- Mittens shares a resemblance to the character Kitty Softpaws. Both are female cats, living alone, do not have claws and are obviously of the same breed.
- Although she claims cats hate dogs because they dream of being dogs, Mittens seems to actually enjoy the cat life.
- In the trailer for the film, Mittens unsuccessfully tries to loosen the leash Bolt has attached to her waist, a scene that was omitted into the film.
External Links[]
- Mittens on the Disney Wiki
- Mittens on the Near Pure Good Wiki
