100+ Words Related to Cats

August 1, 2023

There’s an old expression about cats: “People have dogs. Cats have staff.” And this is 100% true – just ask anyone with a cat! So, what words related to cats can you use?

Table of Contents

Kitten

As with the younger versions of many adult animals, kittens are babies until they’re a year old. Kittens are naturally curious and playful – it’s how they learn about the world around them.

Weaned kittens have special nutritional needs; They lack certain enzymes that adult cats produce, so they can’t eat or drink many things that people think they can, like cow’s milk.

Litter Box

When it comes to words related to cats, “litter box” is probably one of the most popular, especially when you have an indoor cat. Litter boxes are your feline friend’s toilet. It is a plastic container filled with cat litter (which can be made from tofu, crystallized silica, clay, and other minerals). When an indoor cat needs to urinate or poop, he or she will go to the litter box and bury or cover the urine or feces.

Whiskers

A cat is not a cat without whiskers! Whiskers actually have a purpose – it provides additional sensory input for your feline friends. From measuring distances to sensing vibrations in the air, whiskers are essential, so never cut a cat’s whiskers or pull them out.

Fur

Not all cats have fur, while others have interesting fur. For instance, Sphynx cats have no fur, so they must wear sunscreen even if they sit on your sun porch! Rex cats have curly hair. The American Wirehair has fur that feels like its name. Remember to brush the cat’s hair daily if you have a long-haired breed.

Hiss

Hissing can be a warning. For instance, a mama cat can hiss to protect her kittens. Other cats hiss to indicate fear or annoyance. Other times, it can be a sign of illness or great pain. So, pay attention if your cat hisses.

Meow

Each cat has a different meow. Owners who have had their cats long enough can pick out their cat in a room of cats simply by their furbaby’s meow. A few breeds meow very little, but the Siamese, a popular breed of cat, is incredibly chatty. Any cat, though, will voice its feelings through a combination of its meow and body language.

Catnip

Catnip has the same kind of effect on cats as cannabis has on human beings. However, too much catnip is not good for your cat. There is also a similar plant called cat mint. You can grow them both in your garden rather than buying them. Catnip has white flowers, while cat mint has bright purple flowers. Cat mint isn’t as potent to your cat as catnip.

Nap

Cats sleep a lot. Typically, your cat will sleep between 14 and 16 hours per day. Cats are crepuscular, which means that they’re active most during the dawn or the dusk of the day, similar to rabbits. That’s why your home CEO is nattering at you in the early morning for food!

Cat Tower

Is your feline friend ruining your furniture or hanging around on top of the bookshelf? You need a cat tower so they have their own personal space to climb, sleep, and sharpen their claws (most cat towers have a dedicated scratching area). Remember, cats love to climb and be up high, so having a cat tower is a must! Although if you have more than one cat, they might have a scrap over who gets to sit on the highest portion of the cat tower.

Head Butt

A “head butt” is one of the most endearing words related to cats. A cat’s head butt is a sign of affection. You’re their person, so they’re “marking” you with pheromones. It’s the cat version: “Will you wear my pin?”

Family Felidae

Have you ever heard of “Felix the Cat?” Well, “felix” is from the Latin “Felidae,” which means cat. Biologists use these Latin names to classify living things. The family includes everything from the tiniest kitten up to 900-pound tigers with 6-inch claws.

Even the big cats are just cats. There are several videos on the internet of these big cats playing in and destroying boxes the same way your little CEO does.

Gib

Gib is an old word for a male cat. In fact, Chaucer used it in his Middle English translation of “The Romaunt of the Rose,” which was a French allegorical play from the early 13th century. Chaucer worked on his version about 140 years later, well before beginning the “Canterbury Tales.” Its usage is primarily British, and the French version is “Tibbs.” The United States equivalent is “old Tom.”