# Cat — Facts, Threats & Conservation

*Felis catus (Linnaeus, 1758)*

> A cat (Felis catus) is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal descended from the African wildcat; kept worldwide as a companion animal, it is an obligate carnivore that typically lives about 12–18 years and exists in dozens of recognised breeds, though most pet cats are non-pedigreed domestic shorthairs.

**IUCN status:** Domesticated — Not Evaluated (IUCN)  ·  **WARN range:** Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, Colombia

## Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Felis catus (Linnaeus, 1758) |
| Conservation status | Domesticated — Not Evaluated by IUCN (ancestor African wildcat, Felis lybica: Least Concern) |
| Lifespan | ~12–18 years for pet cats; many reach late teens or older |
| Weight range across breeds | ~3–5 kg typical; large breeds such as the Maine Coon can reach 8 kg or more |
| Height (shoulder) | ~23–25 cm (about 9–10 inches) at the shoulder |
| Diet | Obligate carnivore — requires meat-derived nutrients such as taurine and preformed vitamin A |
| Gestation | ~63–65 days (about 60–67 days) |
| Litter size | Typically ~4 kittens (commonly 2–5); several litters possible per year |
| Baby name | Kitten |
| Group name | Clowder (a group of kittens is a litter) |

## Scientific classification
- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Felidae
- **Genus:** Felis
- **Species:** Felis catus (Linnaeus, 1758) — domesticated descendant of the African wildcat, Felis lybica

## Conservation status
- **Status:** Not Evaluated (domesticated)
- **Population:** Hundreds of millions kept as pets worldwide, plus many millions of free-roaming community and feral cats
- **Trend:** Increasing — the global domestic cat population continues to grow, particularly where free-roaming cats breed unmanaged
- **Assessed:** Not applicable — the domesticated form is not assessed; the ancestral African wildcat (Felis lybica) was assessed Least Concern in 2022
- **CITES:** Not listed
- As a domesticated animal the cat carries no IUCN threat category; conservation concern instead centres on the impact of free-roaming cats on wildlife and on the welfare of unmanaged colonies.

## Key facts: Cat
- The domestic cat (Felis catus) descends from the African wildcat (Felis lybica) and self-domesticated around early farming communities in the Near East roughly 10,000 years ago.
- Cats are obligate carnivores: they must eat meat to obtain nutrients such as taurine, arginine and preformed vitamin A that their bodies cannot make in sufficient amounts.
- A well-cared-for indoor pet cat commonly lives about 12–18 years, with many reaching their late teens or beyond; free-roaming and feral cats usually live far shorter lives.
- Cats are formidable hunters of rodents, which is exactly why they first associated with humans — but they hunt by instinct whether hungry or not, and that same instinct threatens wildlife when cats roam freely.
- Most pet cats worldwide are non-pedigreed domestic shorthairs or longhairs; recognised breeds such as the Maine Coon, Ragdoll and Persian make up a small fraction of the global cat population.
- Cats breed quickly — females can have several litters a year of around four kittens each — so neutering free-roaming community cats is the humane way to prevent suffering from overpopulation.

## History & Domestication
The cat's relationship with people began not through deliberate taming but through opportunity. As humans shifted to settled farming in the Fertile Crescent around 10,000 years ago, stored grain attracted rodents, and rodents attracted the local African wildcat (Felis lybica). The tamer, bolder cats that tolerated humans found a reliable food supply, and a mutually useful partnership formed — a process often described as self-domestication. Genetic studies trace nearly all domestic cats to this Near Eastern wildcat lineage. Cats spread along trade and shipping routes, prized as rodent control aboard ships and in granaries, and were revered in ancient Egypt. Unlike dogs, cats were barely altered in body shape for most of their history; deliberate breeding into distinct pedigreed breeds is largely a development of the last 150 years, beginning with the Victorian cat fancy.

## Biology & Behaviour
Cats are small obligate carnivores, meaning their physiology is built entirely around eating animal tissue: they require dietary taurine, arginine, arachidonic acid and preformed vitamin A, and cannot thrive on plant-based diets. They have excellent low-light vision, acute hearing tuned to the high-frequency squeaks of rodents, and sensitive whiskers for navigating in the dark — adaptations of a crepuscular ambush predator most active at dawn and dusk. Retractable claws, a flexible spine and a righting reflex make them agile climbers and hunters. Socially, cats are more flexible than once thought: they can live solitarily or form loose colonies around shared food. Females reach breeding age by around four to ten months, carry kittens for roughly 63 to 65 days, and typically deliver about four kittens per litter, often several times a year — a high reproductive rate that drives rapid population growth where cats roam unneutered.

## Choosing a Breed
Cat breeds differ mainly in coat, body type and temperament rather than in dramatic size variation, and the most-searched breeds reflect a mix of looks and personality. The Maine Coon and Siberian are large, sociable longhairs; the Ragdoll and Persian are gentle, calm companions bred for affectionate temperaments; the Siamese, Abyssinian and Bengal are active, vocal and highly interactive; and the Sphynx and Devon Rex appeal to people wanting unusual coats and outgoing personalities. Some breeds carry health considerations linked to their distinctive features — for example, flat-faced (brachycephalic) Persians and Exotics can have breathing and tear-duct issues, and the folded ears of the Scottish Fold are caused by a cartilage condition associated with painful joint disease. Crucially, breed is far less important than individual temperament, health and proper care, and a mixed-ancestry domestic cat from a shelter makes just as rewarding a companion as any pedigree.

## Welfare & Rescue
Because cats breed so quickly, unmanaged populations of free-roaming and community cats grow fast, leading to disease, injury, hunger and the suffering of unwanted kittens. The humane, evidence-based response is sterilisation rather than removal: trap-neuter-return (TNR) programmes catch community cats, neuter and vaccinate them, and return them to their territory, gradually stabilising and shrinking colonies without killing. The same Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) approach used for street dogs applies to community cats. Responsible cat welfare also means vaccinating and neutering pet cats, providing veterinary care, and reducing the impact of free-roaming cats on local wildlife. In WARN's partner countries, community cats live alongside the far more visible street-dog populations, and both need the same patient, humane management.

## Most-searched cat breeds at a glance
| Breed | Origin | Size & coat | Temperament |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Maine Coon | United States | Large; long, shaggy coat | Gentle, sociable 'gentle giant' |
| Ragdoll | United States | Large; semi-long silky coat | Calm, affectionate, relaxed |
| Persian | Iran/Afghanistan region | Medium; long, dense coat; flat face | Quiet, placid, indoor-loving |
| Siamese | Thailand (Siam) | Medium; short coat, colour points | Vocal, intelligent, people-oriented |
| Bengal | United States | Medium–large; spotted short coat | Energetic, curious, very active |
| Sphynx | Canada | Medium; hairless with fine down | Outgoing, affectionate, attention-seeking |

## Cat Breeds Guide
From the Maine Coon and Ragdoll to the Siamese, Bengal, and 25 more — explore 30 of the most searched cat breeds with temperament, health predispositions, and care tips.

Full breed library (30 guides): https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat#breeds

- **Maine Coon:** America's largest domestic cat breed, the 'gentle giant' is famous for its bushy tail, tufted ears, and dog-like friendliness. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/maine-coon
- **Persian:** With a luxurious long coat and flat face, the calm, affectionate Persian is one of the oldest and most recognizable cat breeds. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/persian
- **Ragdoll:** Named for going limp when held, the blue-eyed Ragdoll is a placid, people-loving lap cat that follows its owners from room to room. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/ragdoll
- **British Shorthair:** Round-faced and plush-coated, the dignified British Shorthair — the classic 'British Blue' — is an undemanding, steady companion. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/british-shorthair
- **Siamese:** Sleek, blue-eyed, and famously talkative, the Siamese forms intense bonds and will hold a conversation all day long. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/siamese
- **Bengal:** Bred from the Asian leopard cat, the Bengal wears a wild rosetted coat over an athletic, energetic, water-loving personality. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/bengal
- **Sphynx:** The hairless Sphynx is warm to the touch and craves attention, making it one of the most affectionate and extroverted breeds. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/sphynx
- **Scottish Fold:** Known for ears that fold forward from a natural gene, the round-faced Scottish Fold is a placid, affectionate companion. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/scottish-fold
- **Abyssinian:** One of the oldest known breeds, the ticked-coated 'Aby' is endlessly curious, agile, and always busy exploring every corner. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/abyssinian
- **American Shorthair:** A hardy, all-American working cat turned family pet, the American Shorthair is healthy, even-tempered, and famously low-maintenance. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/american-shorthair
- **Norwegian Forest Cat:** A rugged longhaired forest cat adapted to Scandinavian winters. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/norwegian-forest-cat
- **Birman:** Sacred temple cats with silky coats, blue eyes, and white 'gloves' on each paw. — https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/birman
- _…and 18 more breeds at the link above._

## What WARN does
WARN supports partner-funded companion-animal rescue and humane population management across its network countries — funding the neutering and vaccination of community cats alongside the large-scale Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return (CNVR) work on Pakistan's street dogs. Partner clinics treat sick and injured cats, run TNR for free-roaming colonies, and promote responsible pet ownership so fewer kittens are born into hardship.

Most cats WARN's partners help are not pampered pedigrees but community cats and rescued strays in our network countries. Your gift funds the neutering, vaccination and veterinary care that stops kittens being born into hardship and gives free-roaming cats a healthier life — the same humane Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return approach that works for street dogs.

## Frequently asked questions: Cat
### How long do cats live?
A well-cared-for indoor pet cat typically lives about 12 to 18 years, and many reach their late teens or even early twenties with good veterinary care, nutrition and a safe environment. Free-roaming and feral cats usually live much shorter lives — often only a few years — because of traffic, disease, parasites and predation.

### How many cat breeds are there?
It depends on the registry. The Cat Fanciers' Association recognises more than 45 pedigreed breeds, while The International Cat Association recognises around 70, and counts vary because registries differ on which breeds and varieties they accept. Despite this, the overwhelming majority of pet cats worldwide are not pedigreed at all — they are mixed-ancestry domestic shorthairs and longhairs.

### How long are cats pregnant?
A cat's gestation period is roughly 63 to 65 days — about nine weeks — with most sources citing a range of around 60 to 67 days. A typical litter is about four kittens, though litters of two to five are common and much larger litters occur occasionally.

### What is a baby cat called?
A baby cat is called a kitten. Kittens are born blind and deaf, open their eyes at around one to two weeks, and are usually weaned by about eight weeks of age.

### What is a group of cats called?
A group of cats is called a clowder; the word 'clutter' is also sometimes used. A group of kittens born together is a litter, and an unneutered group of free-roaming cats sharing territory is usually called a colony.

### Are cats good for catching mice?
Yes — cats are natural and effective rodent hunters, and that very ability is why they first associated with humans around stored grain. Their presence, scent and hunting can both reduce and deter rodents. However, cats hunt by instinct regardless of hunger, so a well-fed cat will still catch mice, and free-roaming cats can also harm local wildlife such as birds and small native animals.

## Sources
- [AVMA — Cat care and selecting a pet cat (companion-animal welfare guidance)](https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/selecting-pet-cat)
- [Cornell Feline Health Center — feline biology, health and lifespan resources](https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center)
- [The Cat Fanciers' Association — recognised breeds and 2025 popularity rankings](https://cfa.org/)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Felis catus (gestation ~60–67 days, litter size, biology)](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Felis_catus/)
- [IUCN Red List — Felis lybica (African wildcat, Least Concern; ancestor of the domestic cat)](https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/131299383/154907281)
- [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758](https://www.gbif.org/species/113275790)
- [ASPCA — General cat care (diet, neutering, responsible ownership as data)](https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/general-cat-care)
- [Wikipedia — Cat (referenced overview of domestication and biology)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cat)

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Full guide: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat