Domestic Cat

Cats without homes (such as populations cared for by shelters, free-roaming animals, or stray animals) are not included in these estimates.

Experts used to believe that the modern domestic cat originated in ancient Egypt, but more recent studies show that today’s house cat is a descendant of the African wildcat (Felis silvestris lybica).

While cats are recognized as a domesticated species, researchers note that they remain genetically and behaviorally very close to their wild ancestors. Unlike dogs, which were intensively bred for specific tasks, cats largely adapted to humans on their own. This has led some scientists to describe them as partially domesticated or semidomesticated, since many of their natural hunting instincts and independent behaviors remain intact.

Today, cats are found on every continent except Antarctica, with dozens of breeds existing worldwide.

Despite the variety of breeds, most domestic cats are similar in overall size, with only a few breeds noticeably larger or smaller. Physical differences are often seen in body shape, coat length, and facial features, while coat color and patterns are determined more by genetics than by breed. There is also significant variation within breeds.

1. Eyes: Forward-facing eyes help cats judge distance. A high proportion of rod cells and a reflective layer (the tapetum lucidum) in their retinas help them see well in dim light.
2. Ears: Sensitive ears can detect a wide range of sounds, including the high-frequency, ultrasonic calls of rodents and other small prey.
3. Claws: Retractable claws help cats climb, catch prey, and defend themselves.
4. Fur/coat: Fur protects cats from the elements and helps regulate their body temperature.
5. Tail: Flexible tails contain up to 23 small bones and allow cats to make fine adjustments to balance and coordinate smooth movement when jumping and climbing.
6. Tongue: Sandpaper-like tongues are covered with sharp spines called papillae to help cats eat, drink, and groom.

The likelihood of developing certain health conditions in cats can vary with factors such as age, breed, and sex. Here are some of the most common health conditions for cats:

• Urinary tract disorders: A cat’s urinary tract includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra. It’s responsible for expelling liquid waste and maintaining a cat’s needed supply of water and electrolytes. Urinary tract disorders can be inherited or acquired, and typical diagnostic tests include urinalysis, blood work, and diagnostic imaging (X-rays/ultrasound).
• Diabetes: Cats are most at risk if they are overweight, inactive, or on inappropriate diets. Age, sex, and certain medications can also influence risk. Diagnosis of diabetes in cats usually requires testing the glucose levels in their blood and urine.
• Dental disease: This includes diseases of the mouth, including the gums. Dental diseases have several symptoms, including tartar buildup on the teeth, red gums, and very bad breath.
• Parasites: While outdoor cats are at higher risk of parasitic infection, indoor cats can also fall victim if humans or other pets carry parasites into the house. Symptoms vary based on the parasite. Blood and fecal tests are two methods used to identify parasites in cats.

Find out more about common symptoms, conditions, and medications in cats.

What to know before adopting

Cats have a reputation for being aloof and independent, but they can be very cuddly creatures. Here are some other considerations if you’re thinking about getting a cat:

• Time commitment: Cats don’t require regular outdoor walks like dogs do, but they still need daily feeding, litter box cleaning, behavioral enrichment (e.g., interactive toys and climbing structures), and social activity.
• Financial commitment: Like any pet, cats are a financial commitment. The main costs go toward food, litter, toys, and veterinary visits (both regular and unexpected).
• Lifestyle match: Cats can be ideal for people who are unable to take their pets for regular outdoor walks during the day.
• Life-span: Some cats can live into their early 20s, so owning one is a long-term commitment, especially if you get a kitten.
• Training and socialization: Every cat is different, so the ease of training and socialization can vary. However, most cats can be trained or redirected away from unwanted behaviors and many can be socialized to live harmoniously with other pets.

Where to adopt a cat

There are several places where you can choose a new feline friend to join your family:

• Shelters: One popular way to adopt a cat is by going to your local animal shelter. Adopting cats from a shelter not only saves cats that need loving homes but also means your cat is likely to be spayed/neutered and have up-to-date vaccinations.
• Strays: Stray cats are sometimes taken in as pets. Standard practice includes taking them to the vet to determine health status and check for a microchip.
• Rescue groups and fosters: Many cats are adopted through rescue organizations or foster networks. These groups often specialize based on the cats’ breed, age, or needs.
• Breeders: If you’re seeking a particular breed of cat, your best bet is a reputable breeder. It’s a good idea to research and find a breeder who’s experienced, ethical, and responsible. Ask your vet for trusted recommendations.
• Pet stores: Some pet stores partner with shelters and rescues to host adoptable cats to connect animals with new families. However, major animal welfare organizations, such as the AVMA, ASPCA, and humane societies, advise against purchasing cats directly from pet stores selling them as commodities. This is because their sourcing practices may not prioritize animal welfare, and information about the cat’s health, background, or socialization is often limited.

What is a cat breed?

A cat breed is a specific group of cats with shared physical and personality traits that were passed on through generations. Different registries recognize different breeds, so depending on the registry, there are anywhere from 45 to 69 cat breeds. Since registries are not uniform when it comes to specific classification and naming, a cat can be considered a different breed depending on the registry.

Domestic long- and short-haired cats are not considered breeds but rather types of cats. These are cats that have no pedigree and were not bred intentionally. For most cat owners with a non-pedigreed pet, the appropriate way to describe your cat’s breed is simply as domestic shorthair (DSH) or domestic longhair (DLH), based on their appearance. This is the default answer to questions about what breed your cat is and the correct way to fill out paperwork, such as veterinary records or microchip registration, since technically your cat does not belong to a recognized breed.

List of cat breeds

If you’re looking to adopt a purebred cat, it’s important to know each cat breed’s unique personality traits and predisposed health conditions. Learn more about each breed by exploring our database below.

Keeping cats indoors helps to protect the local environment, as cats are predators of birds, rodents, and other small animals. Outdoor cats are also at a higher risk of injury from predators, fights with other animals, and vehicle accidents, as well as illness from parasitic infestations.

It’s essential to read up on local regulations regarding vaccinations. In most US states, cat owners have a legal obligation to ensure their cats’ rabies vaccinations are up to date, even if the cats are strictly kept indoors. These laws are designed first and foremost to protect human communities. While vaccination also protects the cat, the legal mandate exists because rabies poses such a serious public health risk.

Nutrition

Cats are obligate carnivores, meaning they require meat to make up most of their diet. Most commercial cat food is designed to provide cats with the balanced nutrition they need and comes with instructions about the recommended serving amount based on your cat’s age and weight.

Veterinarians can provide valuable guidance on diet selection, especially for cats with health conditions. Pet food labels can be surprisingly difficult to interpret since much of the language is essentially advertising, not scientific facts about nutrition, and the most relevant information is not always easy to find. Taking the time to learn how to read a label with guidance from your veterinarian is the best way to make informed, healthy choices for your cat, and feeding diets formulated to meet nutritional standards and guided by veterinary advice supports your cat’s health over their lifetime. Your cat’s diet may evolve as they age.

Your cat’s unique health requirements and your own schedule are two factors that may affect when you feed your cat. If you have questions about your cat’s diet, be sure to consult with your vet.

Foods to avoid

Some foods and plants are toxic to cats and can cause serious illness, including:

• Certain plants, like lilies
• Onions, garlic, and chives
• Grapes and raisins
• Alcohol
• Caffeine
• Chocolate
• Xylitol, a type of sugar alternative
• Raw meats, due to safety risks like salmonella, E. coli, and listeria

Feeding your cat veterinarian-approved foods is always the best option to help keep your pet healthy.

Clean, accessible water

Set up a water bowl or water fountain for your cat to help them get enough water in their diet. Some cats are picky about the type of water they drink, so you may need to try different methods to see what works best. For example, some seek out dripping faucets. These cats may find a water fountain to be more inviting than a bowl of standing water.

Housing and environment

Cats are curious creatures that enjoy exploring. Ensure your home is safe by removing or locking away items that are toxic or harmful to cats, like cleaning supplies, certain plants, electrical cords, and small items that are easy to swallow.

Though a cat’s fur helps them to stay cool or keep warm, they may still seek out cool, dark places or sunshine. Make sure your home has different places for your cat to safely sit and rest, like a secure cat tree or cat beds, as well as places to hide. Make sure to supervise your cat on balconies or around open windows, and restrict routes to places that are too high for them to get down from safely or where they might become trapped or stuck.

Exercise and movement

Regular activity is important for cats, to support both physical and mental health. Play with feather wands, balls, or laser pointers to stimulate natural hunting instincts, and consider splitting meals into smaller portions placed in different areas of the home so your cat has to search to find them.

While activity levels often change with age, a noticeable drop in energy is not always due to old age. Many health conditions, such as arthritis, dental disease, kidney disease, thyroid disease, or heart problems, become more common in senior cats and can make them less active. If your cat slows down or avoids activities they used to enjoy, have your veterinarian check for underlying illness.

Mental stimulation and enrichment

Cats benefit from environments that provide opportunities for natural behavior, such as climbing, scratching, and hunting. Environmental enrichment is associated with reduced stress and fewer behavioral problems. Provide your cat with enrichment by offering toys, scratching posts, puzzle feeders, and vertical spaces for them to climb and jump on, such as cat trees or perches. Many cats show interest in looking out windows or watching wildlife videos designed for cats.

Social needs and bonding

Cats show a wide range of social behaviors, ranging from close bonding with humans and other animals to more introverted and independent ways. When it comes to introducing a cat to new cats or household pets, a cat’s temperament and previous experiences as well as the way in which they are introduced impacts how well they adapt to new companions. Research has shown that gradually introducing cats to other cats or animals increases the likelihood of successful integration.

Grooming

Healthy cats typically groom themselves to maintain their coats. Cats with long coats or certain medical problems often need human assistance to prevent mats and help keep their skin and fur healthy. Regular brushing can help reduce shedding regardless of their hair length.

While a cat’s claws grow continuously, most healthy cats don’t need regular nail trimming. Overgrown claws or claws that have begun to curl toward the paw pads may indicate health issues, be age-related, or be due to a lack of suitable scratching surfaces.

Healthy cats’ ears are usually self-cleaning, but excessive accumulation of debris could be a sign of an infection or ear mites.

Since all cats are different, it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with your cat’s body so you can more easily spot when something could signify a problem.

Hygiene

Environmental hygiene plays a key role in cat health. Litter box cleanliness is strongly linked to normal elimination behaviors and consistent litter box use, so boxes should be scooped daily and washed regularly.

As a general rule, it helps to have one more litter box than the number of cats in the household, since this gives each cat enough choice and reduces stress around toileting. Providing clean, accessible boxes in quiet locations supports normal behavior and helps prevent accidents and inappropriate elimination.

Monitoring your cat’s health

Every cat is different, so familiarizing yourself with what’s normal for your cat makes it easier and quicker to spot when something is out of the ordinary and might be a possible cause for concern. Cats tend to hide any health issues until the problem becomes severe, so recognizing subtle changes in your cat’s behavior can help you detect signs of illness earlier.

Some changes your cat might display include:

• Eating or drinking more or less
• Changes in weight
• Reduced energy or physical activity, like sleeping a lot or reluctance to jump
• Irregular litter box habits, like going outside the box or an increase in elimination habits
• Excessive grooming
• Changes to vocalization habits

A vet is your go-to person for all things related to your cat’s health and well-being. Veterinary care is essential for preventing illnesses, detecting diseases early, and maintaining quality of life for cats at every life stage.

Wellness exams

Wellness exams are an important part of preventative care. They allow veterinarians to monitor your cat’s overall health, detect early signs of disease, and take steps to try to stop illnesses before they start.

During a wellness visit, the vet performs a physical exam to check your cat from head to tail and look for any changes that could signal a health problem. Basic screening tests, such as blood work or urinalysis, may also be recommended to find issues that are not visible on examination.

The recommended frequency of wellness exams varies depending on factors such as age, lifestyle, and medical history, but regular visits throughout a cat’s life support preventative care, early disease detection, and long-term health. Wellness exams are also when cats usually receive vaccinations and parasite prevention, which are essential steps in protecting them from many common and potentially serious diseases.

Vaccinations

Vaccinations are a cornerstone of preventative health care for cats. They are generally divided into core and non-core categories.

Core vaccines are recommended for all cats regardless of lifestyle and include rabies, feline herpesvirus-1, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. Non-core vaccines are recommended based on a cat’s lifestyle, environment, and health status. A common example is the feline leukemia virus (FeLV) vaccine, which is considered essential for kittens and outdoor cats but optional for some strictly indoor adults.

Veterinarians use current guidelines along with each cat’s individual circumstances to create an appropriate vaccination plan.

Parasite prevention

Cats are at risk for both internal and external parasites, even if they live indoors. Intestinal worms, such as roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms, commonly affect cats, and heartworms can also be a concern. Fleas, ticks, and mites are common external parasites. Some parasites, like certain tick species, are more common in specific regions.

Preventative medications help protect cats from these parasites, and regular veterinary care supports early detection and management when problems arise.

Professional dental care

Professional dental care, including regular oral exams, cleanings performed under anesthesia, and corrective procedures for diseased teeth, is essential for a cat’s long-term health and well-being. Periodontal disease is the most common health problem in adult cats, with studies showing that the majority of cats are affected by the age of three. Dental disease causes pain, infection, and tooth loss, all of which can significantly affect a cat’s comfort and quality of life.

Spaying and neutering

Spaying and neutering are common surgical procedures that play an important role in preventative care for cats. Beyond preventing unplanned litters, spaying greatly reduces the risk of pyometra (a life-threatening uterine infection) and lowers the likelihood of certain cancers. Neutering male cats is associated with a reduction in behaviors such as roaming and urine marking.

A veterinarian can advise you on the best time to spay or neuter based on your cat’s age, health, and lifestyle. Because these procedures contribute to both individual health and population control, they are widely recommended by veterinary professionals as part of responsible pet ownership.

Nutritional counseling

Nutrition plays a key role in a cat’s overall health, and veterinarians provide guidance tailored to each cat’s age, lifestyle, and medical history. Nutrition counseling may include recommendations on food selection, learning how to correctly interpret the information on a pet food label, advice on feeding practices, and how to identify ingredients or products that are best avoided. In some cases, specialized or prescription diets are part of managing specific health conditions, such as kidney disease, diabetes, or obesity.

Behavioral guidance

Behavior refers to how cats act and how they respond to their environment. Normal cat behavior includes scratching and playing, while undesirable cat behavior includes house-soiling or aggression. A veterinarian can help you understand what’s normal vs. what may signal a problem and offer strategies to minimize undesirable behaviors that can strain the bond between cats and their families.

Because scratching and litter box issues are among the leading reasons cats are relinquished to shelters, a vet’s guidance is an important part of keeping your cat both healthy and at home. Feline behavioral disorders, which are comparable to mental health conditions in humans, can also be identified and managed with veterinary support to ensure long-term well-being and a happy coexistence.

Geriatric and end-of-life care

A cat is generally considered to be in their geratric phase at around the age of 15, though every cat ages differently. As cats get older, they become more prone to chronic conditions like arthritis, hyperthyroidism, and kidney disease. Regular veterinary care can help early detection and management of these issues. The recommended frequency for checkups depends on your cat’s age, health, and medical history.

Veterinarians play an important role when your cat nears the end of their life, offering options to keep your cat comfortable and improve quality of life, such as with pain management, environmental adjustments, and options for palliative or hospice care.

Emergency care

An important part of pet ownership is planning for emergencies. Cats tend to hide signs of illness until the problem is severe, and veterinary emergencies can happen at any time. Standard recommendations include knowing the location and contact information of the nearest emergency clinic and having a plan to transport your cat. Because emergency treatments can be costly, financial preparedness is also crucial.

In some situations, virtual care consultations can provide quick guidance on whether a concern requires urgent in-person evaluation, but definitive emergency treatment almost always requires a physical examination at a veterinary facility.

Contact your vet immediately or seek emergency care if you notice:

• Difficulty breathing, choking, or constant coughing
• Severe or persistent vomiting or diarrhea (especially with blood)
• Signs of extreme pain (vocalization, reluctance to move)
• Sudden collapse, lethargy, or weakness
• Seizures
• Possible poisoning (ingestion of toxins, medications, or dangerous foods)
• Serious injury or trauma (hit by a vehicle, deep wounds, broken bones)
• Straining or inability to urinate/defecate
• Pale gums
• Bloated or distended abdomen

Please note that this is not a full list of symptoms. If your cat displays behavior that is out of character or suddenly destructive, monitor closely. Contact a veterinarian if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours or get worse, or if you’re worried.

Cats may need treatment for many different issues, ranging from infections and injuries to chronic conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Treatment is based on the underlying cause of the symptoms, and an accurate diagnosis is a critical first step in developing a treatment plan.

In some cases, veterinarians may provide symptomatic care to relieve symptoms like pain, fever, or nausea while additional testing is being completed to find the underlying cause.

Working with a veterinarian is critical to getting an accurate diagnosis for your cat’s condition and necessary for accessing safe, effective treatment. Trying to medicate a cat without professional guidance risks delaying care, accidental poisoning, or worsening of the illness.

Learn more about effective treatments for your cat by speaking to an online vet at Vetster.