Cats

Whether you prefer cute little puppy dogs or furry baby kittens, new pet owners should always consider longevity when selecting a new companion. Even with proper nutrition, consistent activity and top-notch veterinarian care, few pets will survive more than a decade or two.

By Mitch Ryan

What's special about smaller cats? Well, in addition to being extra cute, the smallest cat breeds can often be stealthier than bigger cats.

By Ada Tseng

In 1986, Himmy the cat set a record no cat will ever be able to beat — at least not in the eyes of the Guinness World Records. The organization named Himmy the fattest cat in the world. About a decade later, in 1998, Guinness decided it would no longer award this record as it didn't want to encourage pet owners to overfeed their cats in hopes of dethroning Himmy.

By Yara Simón

Cats have gotten a reputation for not being friendly, especially when compared to those extroverted, tail-wagging dogs. But cats, especially many of the friendliest cat breeds, might just be misunderstood.

By Ada Tseng

Do you love cats, dream about having cats, but know that these adorable felines often trigger your allergies?

By Ada Tseng

When choosing a new cat, you might find yourself wondering if you should adopt a male or female cat.

By Ada Tseng

Pinpointing Bombay cat vs. black cat characteristics can be tricky if you don't know exactly what to look for. How closely are you looking at a cat's whiskers, nose and paw pads?

By Ada Tseng

Let's talk about a delightful and often overlooked member of the feline family: the Scottish Straight cat. These charming, medium-sized cats are closely related to the Scottish Fold breed but come with their own unique twist: Their ears remain straight instead of folding forward.

By Talon Homer

Let's talk about a feline that's small in stature but big on charm: the Minuet cat. Also known as the Napoleon cat, this domestic hybrid breed is a delightful mix of two existing domestic breeds: the Munchkin and Persian cat groups.

By Talon Homer

Maine coons are the official state cat of the northernmost U.S. state and are known for their easygoing temperaments. It's no wonder why many a Maine coon owner will profess their love for their affectionate feline friend.

By Ada Tseng

The Toyger was bred to resemble a miniature tiger, combining the elegance of a domestic cat with the bold, wild look of big cats.

By Desiree Bowie

The biggest cat breeds, like Maine Coons and Savannah cats, remind us of their (considerably larger) wild ancestors.

By Sascha Bos

What could be better than the sound of a cat purring in perfect contentment, but have you ever wondered why cats purr?

By Jesslyn Shields

This quirky behavior known as 'making biscuits' is common in domestic cats. But why do cats knead and what are they saying when they're mixing dough?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

One day, Larry was a humble stray cat. The next, he was 'Chief Mouser' at the British Prime Minister's residence. Unlike the revolving door of PMs lately, Larry has staying power. But is he any good at catching mice?

By Laurie L. Dove

If you've owned cats for a while, you may think you know exactly where they like to be touched. But a study found that cat lovers are the folks most likely to pet felines in places they dislike.

By Dave Roos

It's after midnight. Do you know where your cat is?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

When that sandpaper tongue gets going on your face, does it mean your cat loves you, or simply likes the way you taste?

By Jesslyn Shields

Tigers love to swim in the wild. So why do most housecats act like coming in contact with water will use up a several of their nine lives?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Not much could be better than coming back in your next life as a house cat (OK, maybe a dog, but we won't go there). But if you had the chance, you'd better think hard about where you'd live first.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

Cats howl for a lot of reasons: They want you to buy them things; they want more food (better food). But as they age, they howl a lot more. Are they trying to tell us something else?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

A study using citizen science tries to help explain why cats love sitting in boxes - even ones that aren't there. What did they find out?

By Kristen Hall-Geisler

With a very friendly personality, the Egyptian Mau can be trained to do almost anything a dog can do, from walking on a leash to fetching a ball.

By Patty Rasmussen

The most obvious feature of Manx cats is their lack of a tail, but there is a lot more to them than that, including the fact that they have dog-like personalities and make great pets.

By Patty Rasmussen

British researchers have found that cats really respond when their owners slow blink at them. It's a great way to improve communication with your cat.

By Valerie Stimac