Cat

The cat (Felis catus), also called the house cat, is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal with a strong, flexible body, quick reflexes, sharp teeth and retractable claws. Adults typically weigh 4-5 kg and average about 46 cm in head-to-body length, with a tail of around 30 cm. Males are larger than females.

Cats are obligate carnivores, which means they need a mainly meat-based diet. Their night vision and sense of smell are well developed, and they can hear sounds too faint or too high-pitched for human ears.

Cats are valued for companionship and for their ability to catch vermin. They are kept as pets, as working cats, and as pedigree cats shown at cat fancy events. An estimated 10.9 million cats live in the United Kingdom.

Cats are thought to have probably descended from the African wildcat. The earliest known sign of a tamed wildcat was found beside a human grave in Cyprus, dating to about 7500-7200 BCE. Scientists think wildcats were drawn to early farming settlements in the Fertile Crescent by rodents, especially house mice, and were tamed by Neolithic farmers.

It was long believed that domestication began in ancient Egypt, where cats were venerated from around 3100 BCE. Egyptian wildcats actually added to the cat gene pool at a later time.

As farming spread, so did cats. They reached Greece by about 1200 BCE and were carried to southern Europe by traders. Later, ships' cats took them around the world to control rodents and as good-luck charms. Cat breeds began to develop in the mid-19th century.

Cats have changed only a little in body and behaviour through domestication, and they are still capable of surviving in the wild.

Cats are social but hunt alone. They are generally crepuscular, most active around dawn and dusk, though house cats may adapt to their owners' sleeping patterns. They sleep a lot, usually 12-16 hours a day, and some sleep as much as 20.

Cats communicate with meows, purrs, trills, hisses, growls, body language and scent marking. A raised tail signals a friendly greeting, while flattened ears signal hostility. Purring is often a sign of contentment, but it has also been recorded in cats that are ill or in pain.

Cats are intelligent. They learn by watching, solve problems, and can remember things for a decade or longer. They love play that mimics hunting, and they prefer toys that resemble prey but soon lose interest in familiar ones.

They can show great affection to people and other animals. Scent rubbing is thought to be a way of social bonding. Some pet cats are poorly socialised, and aggression can occur between cats in the same home.

The average lifespan of pet cats has risen over recent decades, from about 7 years in the early 1980s to around 13 years as of 2014 and 2023. One 2024 study found neutered cats lived about a year longer than entire cats.

Around 250 heritable genetic disorders have been identified in cats. Conditions affecting cats include acute infections, parasites such as worms, ticks and fleas, injuries, and chronic problems such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism and arthritis.

Between 50% and 90% of cats experience dental or gum problems. Accidental poisoning is also common, from sources such as lilies, tulips, human medicines, grapes, onions, garlic, chocolate and household chemicals. Neutering brings some health benefits, though it can also make obesity more likely.

Some long-haired cats occasionally bring up hairballs, and some cats develop pica, eating things such as wool, plastic or string.

This is general awareness only, not veterinary advice. Always consult a vet about your pet's health.

Do all cats like milk?

No, this is a common misconception. Cats tend to avoid sweet foods, and most adult cats are lactose intolerant, so milk may cause soft stools or diarrhoea.

How long do cats live?

The average pet cat now lives about 13 years. Neutered cats tend to live a little longer than entire cats.

When are cats most active?

Cats are generally crepuscular, meaning most active near dawn and dusk. They sleep 12-16 hours a day, and house cats may adjust to their owners' routines to some extent.

Does a cat's coat colour affect its personality?

No. Personality traits come from a mix of genetic and environmental factors, and scientific evidence does not support the popular belief that they are linked to coat colour.

Why do cats purr?

Purring may have developed as a reassurance signal between mother cats and nursing kittens. Adult cats often purr when content, but they sometimes purr when ill or in pain too.

Can cats taste sweetness?

No. Cats have a taste receptor mutation that leaves them unable to taste sweetness. They can detect acids, amino acids and bitter tastes.

A cat falling from a height can twist and land on its paws using the cat righting reflex. A cat has enough time to do so in falls of at least 90 cm.

Cats see well in dim light, at about one sixth the light level humans need. Their eyes have a reflective layer, the tapetum lucidum, that boosts sensitivity.

Cats have loosely attached collarbones, which let them squeeze their bodies through any gap their head fits.

Around 70-80% of cats respond to catnip, which they can detect at less than one part per billion.

A male cat is called a tom, a female a queen, and a group of cats can be called a clowder or a glaring.

Cats lap water at about four laps a second, using the tongue tip like a corkscrew.