Cat

Felis catus · Domestic cat

photo of a domestic cat — A short-haired tabby cat resting.
(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Etymology

The English word cat derives from Old English catt, which came from Late Latin cattus. Related forms appear in many European and Afro-Asiatic languages, suggesting the term spread with the house-cat’s domestication in the Mediterranean and Near East.

Taxonomy & evolution

The domestic cat belongs to the family Felidae and the species Felis catus. Genetic studies indicate that all modern house-cats descend from Felis silvestris lybica, domesticated around 7500 BCE in the Fertile Crescent. Despite thousands of years of coexistence with humans, domestic cats remain genetically close to their wild ancestors.

Anatomy

Cats are small, carnivorous mammals with flexible bodies, retractable claws, and specialized teeth adapted to hunting. They possess excellent night vision, a highly developed sense of smell, and a tapetum lucidum that amplifies low-light vision. Their tongues have backwards-facing papillae that aid in grooming and stripping meat from bones.

Behavior

Cats are crepuscular predators, most active at dawn and dusk. They spend significant time grooming, sleeping 12–16 hours per day. While typically solitary hunters, domestic cats can form colonies around abundant resources. They employ a repertoire of body language and vocalizations to communicate with conspecifics and humans.

Communication

Domestic cats communicate through vocalizations such as meowing, purring, trilling, hissing, growling, and chirping. Visual signals include ear and tail position, eye contact, and pilo-erection. Scent marking via glands on the face and paws conveys territorial information.

Reproduction

Female cats (queens) are seasonally polyestrous and can have multiple litters per year. Gestation lasts about 64 days, producing litters of two to five kittens. Kittens are born altricial, opening their eyes after seven to ten days and weaning at four to six weeks.

Domestication

Archaeological evidence from Cyprus and Egypt shows cats living alongside humans at least 9 000 years ago, primarily valued for rodent control. In ancient Egypt, cats achieved deity status; harming one was punishable by death. Modern cat fancy and selective breeding began in 19th-century England.

Relationship with humans

Today cats are among the most popular companion animals worldwide, with an estimated global population exceeding 600 million. They feature prominently in literature, art, and internet culture. Conversely, free-roaming cats pose ecological concerns, preying on birds and small mammals.

Health

Common feline diseases include feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV), feline leukemia virus (FeLV), and various parasites. Core vaccinations and regular veterinary care greatly extend life expectancy; indoor cats often live 13–17 years, some surpassing 20.

Cats

Cat