Wildlife Guide · Pakistan & Indonesia
Cat
Felis catus (Linnaeus, 1758)
The domestic cat is one of the world's most popular companion animals — and the same biology that makes it a beloved pet also makes free-roaming community cats breed fast and need humane care.
Image: Existing WARN site asset
In brief
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.
By the WARN Research & Conservation TeamChecked against IUCN Red List & CITES sourcesLast updated
The domestic cat (Felis catus) is a small, carnivorous mammal that has shared human homes for roughly 10,000 years, ever since wildcats began drawn to the rodents around early farming settlements in the Near East. Today it is among the most widely kept companion animals on Earth, with hundreds of millions living as pets and many millions more as free-roaming community cats. As a domesticated animal, the cat is not assessed for extinction risk by the IUCN — its closest wild relative, the African wildcat (Felis lybica), is the ancestor from which it descends. Selective breeding over the last century and a half has produced dozens of recognised breeds, from the long-haired Maine Coon to the hairless Sphynx, yet the great majority of pet cats worldwide are not pedigreed at all but mixed-ancestry domestic shorthairs and longhairs. Whether pedigreed or not, every domestic cat shares the same obligate-carnivore biology, keen senses and fast breeding cycle.
~10,000 yrs
Approximate length of cat–human domestication
12–18 yrs
Typical lifespan of a well-cared-for pet cat
~63–65 days
Gestation period before kittens are born
45+
Pedigreed breeds recognised by the Cat Fanciers' Association
Figures sourced from AVMA — Cat care and selecting a pet cat (companion-animal welfare guidance), Cornell Feline Health Center — feline biology, health and lifespan resources, The Cat Fanciers' Association — recognised breeds and 2025 popularity rankings and other references on this page.
Cat: Quick Facts
| 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
- IUCN 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.
Did you know?
Cats can make over a hundred different vocal sounds, and adult cats meow almost exclusively to communicate with humans rather than with each other — a behaviour they developed specifically through living alongside people.
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.
Maine Coon
United States (Maine)
Gentle, sociable, playful
Persian
Iran (Persia)
Quiet, sweet, docile
Ragdoll
United States (California)
Docile, affectionate, relaxed
British Shorthair
United Kingdom
Calm, easygoing, loyal
Siamese
Thailand (Siam)
Vocal, social, intelligent
Bengal
United States
Active, playful, curious
Sphynx
Canada
Affectionate, energetic, mischievous
Scottish Fold
Scotland
Sweet, calm, adaptable
Abyssinian
Southeast Asia and Ethiopia
Active, curious, playful
American Shorthair
United States
Easygoing, friendly, adaptable
Norwegian Forest Cat
Norway
Independent, gentle, playful
Birman
Burma/France
Gentle, quiet, affectionate
Oriental Shorthair
Thailand/United Kingdom
Vocal, social, intelligent
Devon Rex
England
Mischievous, affectionate, playful
Cornish Rex
England
Active, agile, affectionate
Burmese
Burma/United States
People-oriented, playful, vocal
Tonkinese
United States
Social, playful, talkative
Exotic Shorthair
United States
Calm, affectionate, gentle
Himalayan
United States
Calm, sweet, indoor-loving
Russian Blue
Russia
Shy, gentle, intelligent
Savannah
United States
Active, adventurous, dog-like
Manx
Isle of Man
Playful, loyal, rabbit-like hop
Egyptian Mau
Egypt
Loyal, active, sensitive
Turkish Angora
Turkey
Elegant, intelligent, playful
Chartreux
France
Quiet, observant, loyal
Balinese
United States
Vocal, affectionate, intelligent
Selkirk Rex
United States
Patient, tolerant, cuddly
Somali
United States
Active, curious, playful
Bombay
United States
Affectionate, social, velcro
Turkish Van
Turkey
Energetic, water-loving, independent
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.
How does the cat compare?
Cat: Frequently Asked Questions
How long do cats live?
How many cat breeds are there?
How long are cats pregnant?
What is a baby cat called?
What is a group of cats called?
What do domestic cats eat?
Where do domestic cats live?
Are domestic cats dangerous?
How big is a domestic cat?
Sources & References
Population figures, conservation status and biological facts on this page are drawn from authoritative scientific and intergovernmental sources.
- AVMA — Cat care and selecting a pet cat (companion-animal welfare guidance)
- Cornell Feline Health Center — feline biology, health and lifespan resources
- The Cat Fanciers' Association — recognised breeds and 2025 popularity rankings
- Animal Diversity Web — Felis catus (gestation ~60–67 days, litter size, biology)
- IUCN Red List — Felis lybica (African wildcat, Least Concern; ancestor of the domestic cat)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758
- ASPCA — General cat care (diet, neutering, responsible ownership as data)
- Wikipedia — Cat (referenced overview of domestication and biology)
Related Rescue Guides
Focused answers for people searching how cat rescue works in high-need regions.
Terms used on this page
Plain-English definitions, from our wildlife and conservation glossary.
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