Charles Barkley is not shy about tackling the most controversial topics.

Earlier this week, the NBA analyst had perhaps one of his hottest takes in some time.

Cats aren’t pets, and those who have them were in his crosshairs.

During halftime of Game 4 between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves on Sunday night, he didn’t hold back.

“A cat is not a real pet,” Barkley said after the broadcast showed tweets poking fun at co-host Kenny Smith. “Stop it.”

When Smith asked Barkley why, the former Phoenix Suns star replied, “Because it’s not a dog.”

“I don’t dislike cats. I just don’t think they’re real pets,” he said. “A dog is a real pet. Just stop it.”

Smith then asked Barkley to put cats in a category.

“Just something old women have,” Barkley said.

Mark Heim is a sports reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim.