Cat


 * This article is about the species. You may be looking for Stalking Cat, also known as Cat.
 * Kitten redirects here. Kitten also refers to a newborn rat. Kitty redirects here, for other uses see Kitty (disambiguation). Tomcat redirects here, for the person see Tom Cat.

A cat generally refers to a common domestic cat (Felis sylvestris catus). However, it is also used as a generic term for any feline or member of the family Felidae. Felines are one of the most popular phenotypes of furries, with a significant number of these being domestic cats.

About 40 different breeds of domestic cats have been officially recognized. Domestic cat breeds are often classified under 'longhair', 'shorthair' and those born through a genetic mutation. There are a very few breeds founded through hybrids of domestic cats and another felines species. As house pets, cats often live in arrangements rivaling their human owners for control of living spaces.

Both anthropomorphic and non-morphic cats are a staple of pop culture, from comics to television to movies.

Cat characters
Cats are very diverse and have a few common traits. They are easily seen as social or solitary, loyal or selfish, energetic or lazy, mystical or mundane. Cats are well understood by humans and often used allegorically. For example, in Jay Naylor's "Better Days" webcomic cats represent the Caucasian race. Cartoons cats, such as Tom Cat, Sylvester and Garfield, are widely popular outside the furry fandom. Cats are often sympathetic characters, but sometimes fill the role of antagonists when rodents or canids are protagonists.

Mystic traditions associate cats with ESP and hearth protection, initially due to their ability to rid the household of mice. Cats are believed to see the unseen or live in multiple realities. They often hold secrets or special wisdom. These beliefs are reflected in many cat-centric stories, such as "Feline Wizards" by Diane Duane or John Wick's Cat role-playing game.

In culture
Fiction:
 * "Feline Wizards" novels by Diane Duane
 * "Warriors" books series by Erin Hunter
 * "Tailchaser's Song" novel by Tad Williams
 * "Felidae" German book series by Akif Pirincçi
 * Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carrol
 * Mort(e) by Robert Rapino
 * Gareth from "Time Cat" by Lloyd Alexander
 * Puss in Boots
 * Crookshanks, half cat/half Kneazel from Harry Potter series
 * Peter, a boy turned into a cat from Jennie

Video Games:
 * Cats (Sonic the Hedgehog)
 * Blaze the Cat
 * Big the Cat
 * Mae Borowski from Night in the Woods
 * Meowth, Litten, and other cat based Pokemon

Role-playing games: Most role-playing games focusing on animals, such as Noble Wild or TMNT RPG, have option of playing a cat character. Fantasy games sometimes have catfolk or similar anthropomorphic race.
 * John Wick's Cat
 * FNH's Cat RPG
 * Cathulhu, a Call of Cthulhu expansion
 * Woof, Meow
 * Bastet supplement for Werewolf: The Apocalypse

Animation:
 * Samurai Pizza Cats anime series
 * SWAT Kats TV series
 * Disney's Aristocats
 * Disney's Oliver and Company
 * Tom (Tom and Jerry)
 * Sylvester (Looney Tunes)
 * Garfield (Garfield)
 * Tiger (An American Tail)
 * Capper (My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic)
 * Top Cat
 * Felix the Cat
 * Doraemon anime series
 * Danny and Sawyer from Cats Don't Dance
 * Felidae, based on a novel
 * Hello Kitty
 * Kitty katswell
 * Sheriff Mao Mao from Mao Mao: HeYouroes of Pure Heart
 * Mittens from Bolt