Domestic cat

The domestic cat is a small, soft-furred animal that lives in homes all over the world. With its pointed ears, long whiskers, and swishing tail, the cat is one of the most popular pets there is. Cats come in many colours and patterns, from sleek black to stripy tabby to fluffy white, but they are all the same kind of animal underneath.

Cats belong to the same family as lions, tigers, and leopards, so a house cat is really a tiny cousin of the great wild cats. Long, long ago a wildcat began to live close to people, most likely because homes and grain stores attracted mice to hunt. Little by little these clever cats became our companions, and today they share our sofas and windowsills.

A cat’s body is built for quiet, careful movement. Its whiskers work like tiny feelers, brushing against things to help it judge narrow gaps and find its way in the dark. Its ears can swivel to catch the softest sounds, and its eyes see well in dim light, which is why cats love to prowl and play in the early morning and evening.

Cats have a special way of telling us how they feel. When a cat is happy and safe it purrs, making a soft rumbling sound deep in its chest. Kittens even purr while they snuggle up to drink their mother’s milk. Cats also meow, chirp, and trill, and a pet cat often saves its meows just for talking to people.

Because the domestic cat is a pet that people care for, it is not a wild animal in danger, and the IUCN does not give it a conservation rating at all. Its wild relatives, like the wildcat it came from, are looked at separately. The kindest thing we can do for our cats is to feed them well, keep them safe, and give them plenty of cuddles and play.