Cats are small, tame, furry mammals that are often kept as pets and farm animals.

There are over 30 different breeds of tame cats, with different body shapes and sizes,
coloring, fur length, eye color, tail length, voice, and temperament. House cats do not
enjoy swimming. Cats were domesticated over 7,000 years ago. 

Diet: Even tame cats are fast, effective hunters. They are carnivores (meat-eaters).
Cats will kill and eat small mammals, birds, fish, frogs, lizards, and snakes. On farms,
cats help reduce the vermin population (rats, mice, and other small, destructive
animals). Cats use their acute sight and hearing to catch prey. They swallow large
bites of meat without chewing it. Cats are primarily nocturnal (most active at night).
They have very good night vision. 

Anatomy: Cats are graceful animals that have a rounded face. They have a sand-
papery tongue and needle-like teeth. Their skeleton is extremely flexible. 

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Description and Physical

Characteristics of Cats
By John A. Bukowski, DVM, MPH, PhD ; Susan Aiello, DVM, ELS
 Description and Physical Characteristics of Cats
 Introduction to Description and Physical Characteristics of Cats
 Description and Physical Characteristics of Cats
Also see professional content regarding management of cats.

Like dogs, cats look very different from people but share many of our body’s characteristics,
such as a circulatory system, lungs, a digestive tract, a nervous system, and so on.

There are many distinct breeds of cats.

Breeds and Body Size

There are many different breeds of cats, including Abyssinian, Himalayan, Maine Coon, Manx, Persian,
Scottish Fold, and Siamese, to name a few. The Cat Fanciers’ Association, which is the world’s largest registry
of pedigreed cats, recognizes about 40 distinct breeds. The most familiar cats are the domestic shorthair and
the domestic longhair, which are really mixtures of different breeds. Cat breeds differ in looks, coat length, and
other characteristics but vary relatively little in size. On average, only 5 to 10 pounds separate the smallest and
largest domestic breeds of cats.

Metabolism
Cats also share the rapid metabolism that dogs have, which results in a higher heart rate, respiratory rate, and
temperature than those of people (see Table: Normal Feline Physiologic Values). Cats generally live longer
than dogs, and many live to be 20 years old or older.

Normal Feline Physiologic Values

 Body temperature
(average)
Heart rate
Respiratory rate (at rest)
Average life span
101.5°F (38.6°C)
120 to 140 beats per minute
16 to 40 breaths per minute
12 to 20 years (depends on health care, behavior, diet, genetics, and
other factors)

Temperature Regulation
Cats are better at conserving heat than at cooling themselves, although their small size relative to their large
surface area makes for more effective cooling than in dogs. Cats lose heat through external radiation. They
have some sweat glands that aid in evaporative cooling, and licking their fur further improves this process.
Heat is also lost through panting, although this is not as effective a method of cooling as it is in dogs. Cats
typically also seek dark, cool places to shelter themselves from the heat of the day. As with all animals, cats
should never be shut in cars or other hot, confined spaces. This can lead to heat stroke and death.

The Senses
Cats have the same 5 senses as people do but to very different degrees. Some senses are much better developed
than in people.

Sight
Cats have keen vision; they can see much more detail than dogs. Concentrated in the center of the retina of the
eye, a specific type of cell called a cone gives cats excellent visual acuity and binocular vision. This allows
them to judge speed and distance very well, an ability that helped them survive as hunters. However, although
the cone cells are also responsible for color vision, it is uncertain whether cats can see colors. Like dogs, cats
also have a lot of the retinal cells called rods, which are good at collecting dim light. In fact, cats can see 6
times better in dim light than people, giving rise to the myth that cats can see in the dark. Cats also have a
reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, which magnifies incoming light and lends a characteristic blue or
greenish glint to their eyes at night.

A unique feature of both canine and feline eyes is the nictitating membrane, which is also called the third
eyelid. This additional eyelid is a whitish pink color and is found under the other eyelids in the inside corner
(near the nose) of the eye. The third eyelid extends up when needed to protect the eyeball from scratches (such
as while traveling through brush) or in response to inflammation.

Cats have an excellent sense of balance.

Hearing
Cats are very sensitive to sound, with a range of hearing both above and below the range of frequencies that
can be detected by people. They can hear better than people and even better than most dogs. Feline hearing
also acts as a direction finder, which is useful for hunting purposes. Cats generally turn their heads toward the
direction of the sound while listening to pinpoint the location. The ear canal of cats is deeper and more tapered
than in people. This deeper canal is subject to buildup of dirt and wax that can lead to inflammation and
secondary infection, although to a lesser degree than in dogs.

The semicircular canals, which are found within the inner ear, are filled with fluid and are important for
maintaining balance. These are highly developed in cats, accounting for their agility and excellent sense of
balance. Cats can usually determine their body position at all times and can rapidly right themselves when
falling, which explains the origin of the phrase, “Cats always land on their feet.”

Smell and Taste

Cats do not rely as much on the sense of smell as some other animals. The sense of smell is less developed in
cats than in dogs. Like people, cats are finicky about odors and try to cover disagreeable smells. Also like
people, odor is an extremely important part of taste and enjoyment of food for cats. Cats that have lost their
sense of smell due to illness (such as nasal or severe respiratory infection, nerve damage, or certain cancers)
often stop eating completely.

Most cats are excited by the smell of catnip, a plant that is a member of the mint family. However, not all cats
react in the same way. Some become manic, others roll and purr, others are minimally affected. This herb is
harmless and can be given to your cat either directly or as part of a catnip toy or ball.
Locomotion
The muscles, tendons, joints, ligaments, and spine of cats are extremely flexible, making them agile hunters.
Cats can walk, run, leap, twist, and even roll into a ball. They can leap long distances and twist in mid-air to
obtain a better angle of attack. The feline bones that are comparable to the long bones of our hands and feet are
located in the cat’s lower legs. The angular hock in the hind legs is comparable to the ankle in people. Their
normal gait is a “pace,” in which both legs on one side move together.

Pads and Nails

As in dogs, the bottom of the paw in cats is covered by thick, resilient pads that cushion the foot and help
provide a secure grip on many types of surfaces. Cats have claws that are much more highly adapted and
complex than in the dog. Feline claws are very sharp and curved, which makes it easier to grasp prey while
hunting or to slash during fights over territory. The claws are retractable, so that they do not get in the way or
make noise when walking or running.

Cats’ claws are highly adapted for hunting.

Many cats frequently scratch or knead furniture, bedding, drapes, and other types of material as a way of
removing the outer layers of the front claws and keeping them sharp. Obviously, this habit can be very
destructive. Solutions include providing a scratching post as an alternative and periodically clipping the nails.
Nail clipping is usually easier in cats than in dogs, although caution must be used to avoid cutting the central
“quick,” which is the blood supply to the growing nail. A more permanent solution is a “declaw” surgery, in
which the front claws are completely removed, including the dew claw, which has no function but can
potentially snag and break. Although the surgery is controversial and prohibited in some areas, there is no
evidence that it increases behavioral problems such as biting or failure to use a litter box. If you choose to
declaw your cat, this procedure should be done before the cat is around 6 months of age. It is not
recommended for adult or older cats. Declawed cats can have trouble climbing and defending themselves and
should not be let outdoors.

Skin and Hair

Feline skin, like that of people and dogs, has an outer layer called the epidermis that is constantly being
replaced, and an inner layer called the dermis that contains nerves and blood vessels, oil glands, and hair
follicles. The oil glands secrete sebum that coats and protects the fur, giving it a glossy sheen. Feline skin is
more sensitive than human skin, which is why it is important to use topical preparations that are specifically
formulated for pets. Shampoos and other topical products for people can irritate your cat’s skin and should be
avoided.

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