Cat vs. Feline — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 22, 2024
Cat refers to a domesticated animal, while feline encompasses all cat-like mammals.
Difference Between Cat and Feline
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A cat typically refers to the domestic cat, known scientifically as Felis catus, a small, carnivorous mammal that is often kept as a pet and is valued by humans for its companionship and its ability to hunt vermin. Cats are known for their agility, keen hunting instincts, and distinctive behaviors like purring and grooming. On the other hand, the term feline encompasses a broader category of mammals within the family Felidae, which includes not only the domestic cat but also larger wild cats such as lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs.
While cats are familiar to many as household pets that adapt well to indoor living, felines, in general, are found in a wide range of environments across the world, from dense jungles to arid deserts. The domestic cat is one of the most common pets globally and has been selectively bred for various traits, including coat patterns and temperaments. In contrast, wild felines, such as the majestic lion or the elusive leopard, play crucial roles in their ecosystems as top predators, maintaining the balance of animal populations.
The relationship between humans and cats is characterized by domestication and companionship, with cats living closely with humans for thousands of years, serving as companions and pest controllers. Felines, however, especially the larger and wild species, often have a more distant relationship with humans, being the subject of conservation efforts, fascination, and sometimes fear, due to their powerful predatory nature.
Cats and felines share many physiological traits, such as a similar skeletal structure, the ability to purr (in some felines), and highly developed senses that make them effective hunters. However, the diversity within the feline family showcases a wide range of adaptations to different environments, from the snow leopard's thick fur for cold climates to the cheetah's incredible speed for chasing down prey in open grasslands.
Caring for a domestic cat involves providing food, shelter, medical care, and companionship, and can vary from simple to complex, depending on the breed and the individual cat's needs. In contrast, conservation efforts for felines often focus on habitat preservation, protection from poaching, and maintaining biodiversity, reflecting the different challenges faced by wild felines in comparison to their domestic counterparts.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A domesticated mammal kept as a pet or for catching vermin.
Members of the Felidae family, including domestic cats and wild cats.
Scope
Refers specifically to the domestic cat, Felis catus.
Encompasses all cat-like mammals, both domestic and wild.
Habitat
Primarily domestic environments.
Ranges from jungles and forests to deserts and savannahs.
Relationship with Humans
Often kept as pets for companionship and pest control.
Varies from domestic companionship to conservation subjects.
Diversity
Limited to variations within the domestic cat species.
Includes a wide range of sizes, behaviors, and adaptations across different species.
Compare with Definitions
Cat
A small domesticated carnivorous mammal often kept as a pet.
My cat loves to nap in the sun.
Feline
Encompasses a wide range of cat-like mammals.
Felines are found in diverse habitats around the world.
Cat
Known for its companionship and ability to hunt pests.
The farm cat keeps the barn free of mice.
Feline
Pertaining to the cat family, including large wild cats.
The lion, king of the jungle, is a majestic feline.
Cat
Selectively bred for various traits.
Siamese cats are known for their striking blue eyes and vocal nature.
Feline
Shares common traits like retractable claws and keen senses.
Felines are excellent hunters thanks to their sharp claws and agility.
Cat
Lives closely with humans, often indoors.
Her cat is a cherished member of the family.
Feline
Varies in size from small to large wild cats.
The cheetah, the fastest land animal, is a remarkable feline.
Cat
Exhibits behaviors like purring and grooming.
The cat purred contentedly while being petted.
Feline
Subject to conservation efforts due to habitat threats.
Conservationists are working to protect felines like the endangered snow leopard.
Cat
The cat (Felis catus) is a domestic species of small carnivorous mammal. It is the only domesticated species in the family Felidae and is often referred to as the domestic cat to distinguish it from the wild members of the family.
Feline
Of or belonging to the family Felidae, which includes the lions, tigers, jaguars, and wild and domestic cats; felid.
Cat
A small domesticated carnivorous mammal (Felis catus), kept as a pet and as catcher of vermin, and existing in a variety of breeds.
Feline
Suggestive of a cat, as in suppleness or stealthiness.
Cat
Any of various other carnivorous mammals of the family Felidae, including the lion, tiger, leopard, and lynx.
Feline
An animal of the family Felidae.
Cat
(Informal) A woman who is regarded as spiteful.
Feline
Of or pertaining to cats.
Cat
A person, especially a man.
Feline
Catlike (resembling a cat); sleek, graceful, inscrutable, sensual, and/or cunning.
Cat
A player or devotee of jazz music.
Feline
(formal) A cat; member of the cat family Felidae.
Cat
A cat-o'-nine-tails.
Feline
(formal) Any member of Felinae, one of the two extant subdivisions of Felidae.
Cat
A catfish.
Feline
Catlike; of or pertaining to the genus Felis, or family Felidæ; as, the feline race; feline voracity.
Cat
A cathead.
Feline
Characteristic of cats; sly; stealthy; treacherous; as, a feline nature; feline manners.
Cat
A device for raising an anchor to the cathead.
Feline
Any of various lithe-bodied round-headed fissiped mammals many with retractile claws
Cat
A catboat.
Feline
Of or relating to cats;
Feline fur
Cat
A catamaran.
Cat
To hoist an anchor to (the cathead).
Cat
An animal of the family Felidae:
Cat
A domesticated species (Felis catus) of feline animal, commonly kept as a house pet.
Cat
Any similar animal of the family Felidae, which includes lions, tigers, bobcats, leopards, cougars, cheetahs, caracals, lynxes, and other such non-domesticated species.
Cat
A person:
Cat
(offensive) A spiteful or angry woman.
Cat
An enthusiast or player of jazz.
Cat
(slang) A person (usually male).
Cat
(slang) A prostitute.
Cat
(nautical) A strong tackle used to hoist an anchor to the cathead of a ship.
Cat
Short form of cat-o'-nine-tails.
Cat
(archaic) A sturdy merchant sailing vessel now only in "catboat".
Cat
The game of "trap and ball" (also called "cat and dog").
Cat
The trap of the game of "trap and ball".
Cat
(archaic) The pointed piece of wood that is struck in the game of tipcat.
Cat
A vagina, a vulva; the female external genitalia.
Cat
A double tripod (for holding a plate, etc.) with six feet, of which three rest on the ground, in whatever position it is placed.
Cat
(historical) A wheeled shelter, used in the Middle Ages as a siege weapon to allow assailants to approach enemy defences.
Cat
(computing) A program and command in Unix that reads one or more files and directs their content to the standard output.
Cat
(slang) A street name of the drug methcathinone.
Cat
Abbreviation of catapult
A carrier's bow cats
Cat
Abbreviation of catalytic converter
Cat
Abbreviation of catamaran
Cat
Abbreviation of category
Cat
Abbreviation of catfish
Cat
Abbreviation of caterpillar
Cat
(slang) Any of a variety of earth-moving machines. (from their manufacturer Caterpillar Inc.)
Cat
A ground vehicle which uses caterpillar tracks, especially tractors, trucks, minibuses, and snow groomers.
Cat
Abbreviation of computed axial tomographyOften used attributively, as in “CAT scan” or “CT scan”.
Cat
To hoist (the anchor) by its ring so that it hangs at the cathead.
Cat
To flog with a cat-o'-nine-tails.
Cat
(slang) To vomit.
Cat
To go wandering at night.
Cat
To gossip in a catty manner.
Cat
To apply the cat command to (one or more files).
Cat
To dump large amounts of data on (an unprepared target), usually with no intention of browsing it carefully.
Cat
Catastrophic; terrible, disastrous.
The weather was cat, so they returned home early.
Cat
Any animal belonging to the natural family Felidae, and in particular to the various species of the genera Felis, Panthera, and Lynx. The domestic cat is Felis domestica. The European wild cat (Felis catus) is much larger than the domestic cat. In the United States the name wild cat is commonly applied to the bay lynx (Lynx rufus). The larger felines, such as the lion, tiger, leopard, and cougar, are often referred to as cats, and sometimes as big cats. See Wild cat, and Tiger cat.
Laying aside their often rancorous debate over how best to preserve the Florida panther, state and federal wildlife officials, environmentalists, and independent scientists endorsed the proposal, and in 1995 the eight cats [female Texas cougars] were brought from Texas and released. . . . Uprooted from the arid hills of West Texas, three of the imports have died, but the remaining five adapted to swamp life and have each given birth to at least one litter of kittens.
Cat
A strong vessel with a narrow stern, projecting quarters, and deep waist. It is employed in the coal and timber trade.
Cat
A double tripod (for holding a plate, etc.), having six feet, of which three rest on the ground, in whatever position it is placed.
Cat
An old game;
Cat
Same as cat o' nine tails; as, British sailors feared the cat.
Cat
A catamaran.
Cat
To bring to the cathead; as, to cat an anchor. See Anchor.
Cat
Feline mammal usually having thick soft fur and being unable to roar; domestic cats; wildcats
Cat
An informal term for a youth or man;
A nice guy
The guy's only doing it for some doll
Cat
A spiteful woman gossip;
What a cat she is!
Cat
A whip with nine knotted cords;
British sailors feared the cat
Cat
A large vehicle that is driven by caterpillar tracks; frequently used for moving earth in construction and farm work
Cat
Any of several large cats typically able to roar and living in the wild
Cat
A method of examining body organs by scanning them with X rays and using a computer to construct a series of cross-sectional scans along a single axis
Cat
Beat with a cat-o'-nine-tails
Cat
Eject the contents of the stomach through the mouth;
After drinking too much, the students vomited
He purged continuously
The patient regurgitated the food we gave him last night
Common Curiosities
What animals are considered felines?
Felines include all members of the Felidae family, ranging from domestic cats to large wild cats like lions, tigers, leopards, and cheetahs.
How can people help conserve wild felines?
People can help conserve wild felines by supporting habitat preservation efforts, participating in or donating to wildlife conservation organizations, and advocating for policies that protect these animals and their environments.
What defines a cat?
A cat is defined as a small domesticated carnivorous mammal, known as Felis catus, often kept as a pet and valued for its ability to hunt vermin and provide companionship.
Can all felines purr?
Not all felines can purr in the same way as domestic cats. While some wild cats can purr, the larger species, such as lions and tigers, have different vocalizations.
How do cats differ from other felines?
Cats are specifically domesticated animals living closely with humans, while other felines can include a wide range of wild cat species with diverse habitats and behaviors.
Can felines be found in urban areas?
While domestic cats are common in urban areas, some wild felines, such as bobcats and urban leopards, have also adapted to living in or near urban environments.
Why are felines important to the ecosystem?
Felines, particularly the larger wild cats, are important as top predators in their ecosystems, helping to control the populations of other animals and maintain biodiversity.
What challenges do felines face in the wild?
Wild felines face challenges such as habitat loss, poaching, conflict with humans, and decreasing prey populations, which threaten their survival.
What adaptations do felines have for hunting?
Felines have several adaptations for hunting, including sharp retractable claws, keen senses of sight and hearing, and powerful bodies designed for stealth and agility.
Are all domestic cats similar?
While all domestic cats belong to the same species, Felis catus, there is significant variation among breeds in terms of size, coat patterns, and personality traits.
How do domestic cats communicate?
Domestic cats communicate through vocalizations like meowing and purring, as well as body language, including ear and tail positioning, and facial expressions.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
