Across ancient and modern warfare, animals have often played unlikely yet pivotal roles. In a famous episode, Persian forces leveraged a unusual hostages: sacred cats and ibises held aloft on the battlefield. This display discouraged Egyptian archers and helped Cambyses II’s army seize Pelusium in 525 BCE, marking a turning point as the Achaemenid Empire extended its rule over Egypt.

Historical accounts note that the sight of felines among the Persian ranks deterred enemy fire, permitting a relatively swift assault on the city. This outcome set the stage for the establishment of Persian dominance and the consolidation of the first Persian Empire over Egypt.

Beyond felines, the battlefield has seen a wide array of animal participants. Elephants, horses, camels, dogs, pigeons, oxen, and even bears have been enlisted in conflicts over the centuries. Memorials and monuments commemorate these courageous animals, and the PDSA Dickin Medal honors such service—an award dating back to 1943 that recognizes the bravery of animals who supported Britain during World War II. The award has since recognized 32 messenger pigeons, 38 dogs, four horses, and one celebrated cat for their wartime contributions.