Felis catus
Domestic Cat
Cats are territorial hunters that adapted to living alongside humans. Most behaviour problems are resolved by improving the environment rather than by training the cat.
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At a glance
- Scientific name
- Felis catus
- Family
- Felidae
- Origin
- Domesticated from the African wildcat in the Near East around 10,000 years ago
- Lifespan
- 12–20 years
- Adult size
- 23–30 cm at the shoulder
- Weight
- 3–7 kg, larger in some breeds
- Temperament
- Independent but socially flexible; strongly attached to territory
- Activity level
- Bursts of intense activity around dawn and dusk
- Social needs
- Moderate; some breeds need constant company, others prefer solitude
- Intelligence
- Strong spatial memory and problem-solving; trains well with food rewards
- Noise
- Usually quiet; some oriental breeds are extremely vocal
Housing and environment
- Housing
- Indoor living with vertical space, or secure outdoor access such as a catio
- Space requirement
- Quality of territory matters more than floor area: height, hiding places and separate resources
- Temperature
- Comfortable 18–28°C
- Humidity
- Not critical
- Exercise
- Two or three short hunting-style play sessions daily
- Grooming
- Self-grooming plus weekly brushing; longhairs need daily attention
Life stages and changing needs
Expanded care guidance · Updated 7 October 2026 · Not professionally reviewed
Young animals and settling in
Kittens need complete food labelled for growth, predictable meals and a safe environment for exploration. Arrange vaccinations, parasite prevention, identification and neutering discussions with the vet. Introduce handling and carriers gently using rewards. Early experiences should be positive and voluntary; forced exposure to noisy children or unfamiliar animals is not socialisation.
Adult care and reproductive changes
Adults need a complete diet, weight monitoring and separate resources for eating, drinking, toileting, hiding and scratching. In multi-cat homes, provide resources in different locations so one cat cannot block another. Neutering helps prevent unwanted breeding but does not remove every behaviour issue. Play, predictable routines and control over contact support everyday welfare.
Later life and changing needs
Older cats may need low-entry litter trays, accessible warm resting areas and steps to favourite perches. Continue play at a comfortable level and discuss examination frequency with the vet. Weight loss, increased thirst, reduced grooming or changed vocalisation can reflect treatable illness. A cat can have painful arthritis even without an obvious limp.
Diet and feeding
Obligate carnivore requiring taurine, arachidonic acid and preformed vitamin A
Use a nutritionally complete cat diet suited to life stage and health. Cats need specific nutrients that a dog food, meat-only diet or improvised plant-based recipe may not provide. Wet and dry foods can both fit a balanced plan; suitable water access matters. Kidney, urinary or other prescription diets should be chosen with veterinary guidance.
Measure portions against body condition and weight trends rather than repeatedly filling an empty bowl. Change food gradually unless the vet advises otherwise. Puzzle feeding can add activity, but food must remain accessible to a cat with pain or mobility problems. A cat refusing food needs prompt advice, especially if overweight; do not starve it into accepting a new diet.
Daily care and ongoing checks
Every day
Observe appetite, drinking, litter-tray output, breathing and activity every day. Scoop litter and clean food and water dishes. Provide hunting-style play with a catchable toy, safe scratching options and places to withdraw. Keep medicines, toxic plants, string and unsecured windows out of reach, and use only parasite products explicitly suitable for cats.
Regular maintenance and prevention
Brush according to coat needs, inspect nails and discuss tooth-brushing and dental checks. Record regular weights and arrange a preventive plan matched to indoor or outdoor exposure. Carrier training before a visit reduces stress. Sudden behaviour changes deserve a medical check before punishment or a behaviour-only explanation; cats often conceal discomfort.
Behaviour and compatibility
Hunting play, scratching, climbing, scent-marking and long daily sleep
- With children
- Good where children are taught to let the cat approach and leave freely
- With other animals
- Introductions must be gradual and scent-led over days to weeks
- Training difficulty
- Moderate — cats learn quickly but work only for genuine motivation
Health
- Chronic kidney disease
- Dental disease
- Hyperthyroidism
- Feline lower urinary tract disease
- Obesity
Annual checks, blood pressure and kidney screening from around seven years of age
Special care requirements
One litter tray per cat plus one spare, each in a separate quiet location
Territorial security and dietary taurine
Cats are highly territorial and benefit from a setup with vertical space, diverse resources and consistent routine, especially in multi-pet homes. Always provide fresh, high-quality, cat-appropriate protein and taurine sources, and avoid food that is not specifically designed for a cat's nutritional requirements. In multi-cat households, follow the one-resource-per-cat-plus-one rule for litter trays, food stations and resting spots, placed apart so no cat can guard them all. Play sessions that mimic hunting — short, frequent, ending with a small meal — reduce boredom-related behaviour problems and help indoor cats maintain a healthy weight, which is the single biggest lever owners control for long-term feline health.
Before you take one on
Sources and further guidance
These welfare and veterinary resources inform general husbandry advice; they do not certify this profile or replace a species-experienced professional. Confirm exact environmental settings and feeding plans for your animal.
Can your home meet domestic cat needs?
- Plan for a lifespan of 12–20 years, including holiday cover and, where one is available, a vet familiar with this species. Lifespan ranges are not guarantees.
- Arrange the social setting before arrival. Social guidance for this species: Moderate; some breeds need constant company, others prefer solitude. Do not assume another animal of any species is a suitable companion.
- Habitat priority for this species: Quality of territory matters more than floor area: height, hiding places and separate resources. Make sure your setup can provide this consistently. Check the room stays within the listed temperature range with a thermometer rather than judging by feel.
- Key care point: One litter tray per cat plus one spare, each in a separate quiet location. Discuss diet and any specialist needs with the supplier, rescue and a vet who treats this species, and check local legal requirements before acquiring an animal.
Educational reference, not an individual diagnosis or a verified professional review. Read our editorial policy.
Guidance libraries and further reading
These organisations publish relevant guidance. Their links are further reading, not evidence that they have reviewed this page.
- RSPCA — animal care and welfare advice across species
- PDSA — veterinary charity pet health advice
- International Cat Care — cat health, behaviour and welfare advice