Cats

Find out everything there is to know about cats and stay updated on the latest feline news with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and cat pictures at LiveScience.com. Learn more about these fascinating creatures as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about cats.

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Green-eyed cat relaxing on a cream carpet

Cats: The strange and fascinating history of our feline friends

By Stephanie Pappas published

Reference Cats have associated with humans for up to 10,000 years.

An American cheetah (Miracinonyx trumani) and her cubs crouch over the remains a Harrington's mountain goat (Oreamnos harringtoni) inside a cave in the Grand Canyon, while a Shasta ground sloth (Nothrotheriops shastensis) lumbers past and a California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) soars in the distance. Inside the cave, two Stock's vampire bats (Desmodus stocki) hang from the ceiling, and a woodrat (Neotoma) hides by the wall on the right. Ovoid structures on the cave floor are droppings left by ground sloths, based on finds in locations such as Rampart Cave.

20,000 years ago, two American cheetahs fought to the death in a Grand Canyon cave

By Stephanie Pappas published

A new study of bones from the Grand Canyon reveals that this steep, rocky landscape was once a hunting ground for the extinct American cheetah.

Cats can remember their buddies' names.

Cats can memorize their friends' names, new study suggests

By Brandon Specktor published

Cats may be able to remember the names of cohabitating cats — but it depends where they live, new research suggests.

photo of baby cheetahs cuddled around an adult cheetah in a field

Cheetahs: Earth's fastest land animals

By Tiffany Means published

Cheetahs are unique members of the big cat family, with bodies built for acceleration and short bursts of incredible speed.

Even when they leave, they still are there.

You can't hide from your cat, so don't even try

By Mindy Weisberger published

Cats create "mental maps" using audio cues, scientists have discovered. This enables cats to spatially orient unseen companions, an ability that was previously unknown in felines.

Ash the cat walks into a Kanizsa square.

Cats love boxes so much they'll even sit in fake ones

By Charles Q. Choi published

Cats like boxes so much, they will even climb into the illusion of a box, scientists find.

Cat sitting next an empty food dish, looking up at the camera.

Cats are too socially inept to be loyal

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

A new study finds that cats, unlike dogs, will gladly accept food from people who are not nice to their owners.

A gray persian cat clings to a bannister

Cats with smooshed faces can't express emotions, and it's all our fault

By Cameron Duke published

Flat feline faces are stuck in perpetual frowns.

Cat photos can be cat-astrophic for your love life.

Hey guys: Stop snuggling with your cats (at least in photos) if you want a date

By Mindy Weisberger published

Can posing with a pet help men find dating success? Not if it's a cat, scientists say.

A cougar kitten photographed in Wyoming.

Yellowstone study finds plague (yes, that plague) in nearly half of tested cougars

By Laura Geggel published

One of the plague victims was a 3-month-old cougar kitten.

3D-printed titanium limbs helped a frostbitten feline get back on her feet.

Cat with 4 frostbitten paws gets new feet made of titanium

By Mindy Weisberger published

Dymka the cat suffered severe frostbite in all four paws, but after they were amputated she received new titanium limbs.

Woman petting her domestic cat.

Here's the Best Way to Pet a Cat, According to Science

By Lauren Finka published

The key to success is to focus on providing the cat with as much choice and control during interactions as possible.

Cats in Australia Kill Over 2 Billion Wild Animals Each Year

By Mindy Weisberger published

Humans love cats, but the furry felines are stone-cold killers

A French Forest and Hunting Office employee holds up a "cat-fox" thought to be a new feline species.

Meet the Cat-Fox, an Oddball Feline Roaming Around a French Island

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

They're big and have fox-like tails.

Grumpy Cat died at age 7.

Internet's Famous Grumpy Cat Dies at Age 7

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Her permanent "frowning" face became an internet sensation.

kitty from the back

Cats 'Farm' Bacteria in Their Butts. Here's Why.

By Grant Currin published

Cat butts are home to communities of microbes that produce cats' distinctive, stinky pheromone spray.

Feral Cats in Australia Sentenced to Death by Sausage

By Mindy Weisberger published

Feral cats are driving many Australian species to the brink of extinction, and the government is stepping in.

A kitten lying on a blanket.

Why Did the USDA Perform 'Cat Cannibalism' Experiments?

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

These gruesome experiments were conducted to research a common parasite.

Kittens were intentionally infected with a parasite at a USDA lab. The kitten shown here was NOT used in these experiments.

USDA Fed Cats and Dogs to Kittens, Alarming Watchdog Report Claims

By Jeanna Bryner published

The title of the report says it all, "USDA Kitten Cannibalism."

Cat

Why Do Cats Wiggle Their Butts Before They Pounce?

By Serena Sonoma published

As many pet owners will attest, when their cat prepares to pounce, it does a little butt wiggle first.