Cat
There is a shoe in Japan, that was Translated into English and came to America, based on the Chinese Zodiac. The Anime, (A style of animation developed in Japan, characterized by stylized colorful art, futuristic settings, violence, and in some some animes,sex[these are callled Hentai animes].) ,Fruits Basket was made by Natsuki Takaya. There are many different therioies why the cat was left out of the Zodiac. One being:
A long, long time ago, God decided to invite all of the animals to a banquet… He sent out word for all of them to come to his house the following evening.. “and don't be late!†he said. When the mischievous rat heard the news, he decided to play a trick on his neighbor, the cat. He told the cat that the party was the day after tomorrow. The very next day, all of the animals lined up for the celebration. And the rat led the way, riding all the way there on the back of the cow. Everyone had a wonderful time Except for the foolish cat. Who missed the whole thing.
At no time in the history of the Zodiac has the cat ever been included among the twelve animals. The cat has been shunned by society for thousands of years and yet, it still yearns to be accepted.
Why there are many different variationsd this is the one i think would actually fit best with the reason why the cat is not in the Zodiac. The cat,as the little exert shows, was tricked by the rat and dreamed of the banquet the next day.A banquet that would never happen for him. And forever since that day the Cat and the Rat were enimies.
That is the link to the official website if anyone is intersted. And here is a trailer link of it