OSRS Cat Death Runes: Your Guide to Profiting in Old School RuneScape

In Old School RuneScape (OSRS), cats aren’t just adorable companions—they’re a surprising way to earn some serious in-game profit. One of the most intriguing mechanics involves trading your fully grown pet cat for death runes, a valuable resource in the game. Whether you’re a new player or a seasoned veteran, understanding how to leverage your feline friend for death runes can boost your bank without much effort. This guide dives deep into the process, benefits, and strategies surrounding OSRS cat death runes, optimized to help you succeed while keeping your gameplay fun and efficient.

Before you can profit from death runes, you need a cat. In OSRS, cats start as kittens and grow into full-fledged pets over time. Here’s how to get started.

Completing Gertrude’s Cat Quest

The journey begins with the Gertrude’s Cat quest, a beginner-friendly quest in Varrock. To unlock your first kitten, you’ll need to help Gertrude find her lost cat, Fluffs. The quest requires minimal combat and a few items like a raw sardine, a bucket of milk, and 100 coins. Once completed, Gertrude rewards you with a kitten, which is your ticket to the death rune trade.

Raising Your Kitten into a Cat

Kittens don’t fetch death runes—only adult cats do. To grow your kitten, you’ll need to care for it over approximately 3 hours of in-game time. Feed it fish (like raw sardines or cooked fish) and interact with it regularly by stroking it. Neglect it, and it might run away! After three hours, your kitten transforms into an adult cat, ready to be traded.

Trading Cats for Death Runes

Once you’ve got an adult cat, it’s time to turn it into profit. The death rune trade happens in West Ardougne, a city tied to the Plague City questline, but you don’t need to complete any quests beyond Gertrude’s Cat to participate.

Finding Civilians in West Ardougne

Head to the south-western part of West Ardougne, where civilians roam the streets. These NPCs are willing to buy your adult cat for death runes. Simply use your cat on a civilian, and they’ll offer you 100 death runes in exchange. It’s a straightforward transaction, but there’s a way to double your reward.

Boosting Rewards with Ardougne Diary

If you’ve completed the Easy Ardougne Diary, your payout jumps to 200 death runes per cat. This diary requires skills like 20 Agility and 20 Thieving, plus a few simple tasks in the Ardougne area. The extra 100 death runes per trade make this a worthwhile investment for anyone serious about maximizing profits.

Why Death Runes Matter in OSRS

Death runes are a staple in OSRS, used for high-level magic spells and sought after by players. Trading cats for them taps into this demand without requiring combat or extensive skilling.

Market Value of Death Runes

As of April 2025, death runes typically sell for around 170-180 GP each on the Grand Exchange. With the base trade of 100 death runes, that’s 17,000-18,000 GP per cat. With the Ardougne Diary bonus, 200 death runes net you 34,000-36,000 GP. For a process that takes minimal effort, this is a solid return.

Uses of Death Runes in Gameplay

Death runes power spells like Iban Blast, Trident of the Seas, and Ancients spells such as Blood Barrage. They’re essential for PvM, PvP, and even training Magic efficiently. By trading cats, you’re either stocking up on a key resource or selling them for profit—your choice!

Strategies to Maximize Cat Death Rune Profits

Turning cats into a steady income stream requires some planning. Here are actionable strategies to get the most out of this mechanic.

Raising Multiple Cats

You’re not limited to one cat at a time. After trading your first cat, return to Gertrude in Varrock and buy another kitten for 100 coins. Repeat the 3-hour growth process, and you can build a pipeline of cats ready to trade. With multiple accounts or efficient timing, you could trade several cats daily.

Combining with Other Activities

The 3-hour growth period is passive, so use this time wisely. Train skills, complete quests, or farm other money-makers like herb runs or birdhouse runs. Your kitten grows in the background, making this a low-effort side hustle.

Hellcats for Extra Flair

If you’ve got a hellcat (obtained by catching hell-rats with your cat in the Rat Pits or Evil Dave’s basement), you can trade it too! Hellcats fetch the same death rune reward as regular cats, but their spooky aesthetic adds a fun twist. No extra profit, just extra style.

Risks and Considerations

While trading cats for death runes is low-risk, there are a few things to watch out for to avoid losing your investment.

Avoiding Cat Death or Loss

If your cat dies in combat (e.g., during a boss fight) or you let your membership lapse while it’s following you, it’s gone for good. The message “Your cat has passed away” will haunt you, and you’ll need to start over. Keep your cat safe by storing it in your POH menagerie or leaving it behind during risky activities.

Time Investment vs. Reward

Three hours per cat might seem slow compared to high-level money-makers like Zulrah or Vorkath, which can net millions per hour. However, the cat method requires almost no skill or gear—just patience. It’s perfect for low-level players or as a passive income source.

Market Fluctuations

Death rune prices can dip due to market saturation or updates. Check the Grand Exchange regularly to decide whether to sell immediately or stockpile for spellcasting. Historically, death runes hold steady value, but it’s worth staying informed.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the process and rewards in a handy table:

Step	Requirement	Reward
Complete Gertrude’s Cat	100 coins, raw sardine, bucket of milk	Kitten
Raise Kitten (3 hours)	Fish, attention	Adult Cat
Trade Cat in West Ardougne	Adult Cat	100 Death Runes (17,000-18,000 GP)
Trade with Easy Ardougne Diary	Adult Cat + Diary	200 Death Runes (34,000-36,000 GP)

Key Takeaways:

• Start with Gertrude’s Cat quest to get a kitten.
• Spend 3 hours raising it into an adult cat.
• Trade in West Ardougne for 100 death runes, or 200 with the Easy Ardougne Diary.
• Use the profit to fund your adventures or stockpile for Magic training.

Trading cats for death runes in OSRS is a quirky, low-effort way to make money or gather resources. It’s not the fastest method, but its simplicity and accessibility make it a gem for casual players or those looking to diversify their income streams. So, grab a kitten, give it some love, and watch your death rune stash grow—your bank will thank you!