Taxonomy, the science of classifying living organisms, places every creature into a hierarchy based on shared biological traits and evolutionary history. Understanding where the common house cat fits into this structure reveals its deep connections to its larger, wild relatives. The domestic cat, one of the world’s most popular companion animals, shares defining characteristics with formidable predators.
Identifying the Domestic Cat’s Scientific Name
The formal classification of the domestic cat begins at the Order Carnivora, a group encompassing all meat-eating mammals. Within this Order, the cat belongs to the family Felidae, which includes all 41 known species of cats, from the smallest wild species to the largest.
Moving down the hierarchy, the domestic cat is assigned to the genus Felis, which it shares with several small wild cats, such as the European wildcat and the jungle cat. The final, most specific name is the species, catus, which designates the domesticated form. Therefore, the complete scientific name for the domestic cat is Felis catus, a two-part naming system called binomial nomenclature.
Characteristics Shared by All Felids
All members of the cat family, Felidae, are defined by traits optimized for a predatory existence. They are obligate carnivores, meaning their diet must consist almost entirely of animal tissue to meet specific nutritional requirements. This strict dietary need is supported by a specialized dental structure, most notably the carnassial pair of teeth.
These modified teeth, formed by the last upper premolar and the first lower molar, work together like shears to slice through flesh and tendon efficiently. Felids also possess exceptional sensory capabilities, including highly acute hearing that can detect the ultrasonic calls of small prey. Their large, forward-facing eyes contain a reflective layer called the tapetum lucidum, which enhances their vision in low light conditions.
A universally recognized characteristic is their ability to retract their sharp claws into protective skin sheaths when not in use. This mechanism keeps the claws sharp for hunting and climbing by preventing them from becoming dulled through contact with the ground. Their lithe, muscular bodies and digitigrade stance—walking on their toes—further contribute to their stealth and agility as hunters.
The rough texture of a cat’s tongue, covered in tiny, backward-facing spines called papillae, is also a family trait. This feature is used for grooming and scraping meat from bone.
Subfamilies: Big Cats Versus Small Cats
The family Felidae is divided into two subfamilies based on evolutionary lineage and differences in their vocal apparatus. The first subfamily, Pantherinae, contains the “big cats,” including the lion, tiger, leopard, and jaguar, all belonging to the genus Panthera. The other subfamily, Felinae, is home to the “small cats,” which includes the domestic cat, the cheetah, and the cougar.
The separation between these two groups relates to the ability to roar versus the ability to purr continuously. Pantherinae cats have an incompletely ossified, or hardened, hyoid bone in the throat, allowing their larynx to be flexible enough to produce a deep roar. Conversely, the smaller cats in the Felinae subfamily, including Felis catus, have a fully ossified hyoid apparatus.
This rigid structure limits the flexibility of the voice box, preventing a true roar. However, it permits the continuous vibration necessary for a constant purr, achieved on both the inhale and the exhale. The domestic cat is situated in the Felinae subfamily, sharing this anatomical trait with other medium and small-sized cats.