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Animal section

Cats

Domestic cats: behaviour, indoor welfare and feline medicine.

Illustration of two domestic cats, one sitting upright and one stretching

Species profiles

Standardised husbandry data for each animal in this group.

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.

Lifespan 12–20 years · Care complexity 2/5

Felis catus

Domestic shorthair cat

The everyday cat — diverse, generally healthy and endlessly varied in personality. The best choice for most first-time cat owners.

Lifespan 12–18 years, many reach 20 · Care complexity 1/5

Cat breeds

Breed tendencies are averages, not guarantees. Individual animals vary widely.

Full breed database →
Domestic ShorthairDomestic LonghairMaine CoonSiamesePersianRagdollBritish ShorthairBengalSphynxAbyssinianScottish FoldRussian BlueNorwegian Forest CatOriental ShorthairBurmeseDevon RexBirmanAmerican ShorthairExotic ShorthairSiberianTonkineseManxCornish RexRagaMuffinSavannahTurkish AngoraSomaliChartreuxEgyptian MauSelkirk RexBurmillaToygerOcicatBombayKoratHavana BrownSingapuraBalineseTurkish VanLaPerm

Guides for this group

Care, health, behaviour and nutrition reading.

Family at a kitchen table comparing illustrated cards of a dog, cat, rabbit and goldfish beside a floor plan and calendarBefore getting a pet

How to Choose the Right Pet for Your Life

A structured way to match an animal to your household, budget, schedule and housing — before emotion makes the decision for you.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07

Illustrative article cover for Pet-Proofing and Preparing Your HomeBefore getting a pet

Pet-Proofing and Preparing Your Home

A room-by-room checklist for making your home safe before the animal arrives, rather than after the first accident.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19

Illustrative article cover for The First 24 Hours With a New PetBringing a pet home

The First 24 Hours With a New Pet

Calm, quiet and predictable beats exciting. What to do — and what to resist doing — on day one.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19

Two cats eating calmly from bowls placed far apart on a kitchen floorBringing a pet home

Introducing a New Cat to a Resident Cat

A staged, scent-first introduction over two to four weeks prevents most long-term multi-cat conflict.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-19

Owner weighing a measured portion of cat food beside a water fountain while a cat waits on a matDaily care

Building a Daily Care Routine That Actually Sticks

Predictable routines reduce stress for animals and make it far easier to notice when something is wrong.

Petarium Editorial · 3 min read · Updated 2026-10-07

Illustrative article cover for Caring for a Senior PetLong-term care

Caring for a Senior Pet

Ageing is not a disease, but it changes what good care looks like. Practical adjustments for older dogs, cats and small animals.

Petarium Editorial · 4 min read · Updated 2026-10-07