# Domestic cat > Understand cats at home and in your neighbourhood: safe spaces, suitable food, natural behaviour, and a lifelong responsibility for their care. Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/cat/ · Updated 7 October 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/kucing/ _This Markdown mirror is generated at build time from the same data as the HTML page. Cite the HTML page URL and its update date._ **Review status:** Approved by team on 2026-10-07. Approval covers this version’s narrative, facts, quick answers and recorded locations in both languages. ## Quick answer The domestic cat (*Felis catus*) is a companion animal in the family Felidae. Range in Indonesia: Homes and settlements across Indonesia. Diet: obligate carnivore; a carnivore. | Fact | Value | |---|---| | Scientific name | *Felis catus* | | Indonesian name | Kucing domestik | | Group | Companions | | Family | Felidae | | Range in Indonesia | Homes and settlements across Indonesia | | Linked habitats | [Urban Habitats](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/) | | Diet | Obligate carnivore | | Space needs | Places to hide, climb, and scratch | | Context | Owned and community cats | | Diet type | Carnivore (meat-eater) — true (obligate) carnivore: needs nutrients found in meat · [Tufts Cummings School — Petfoodology](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2016/02/23/pet-nutrition-primer/) | | Reproduction | Giving birth to live young (viviparous) · [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/) | | Observance days | [International Cat Day (8 August)](https://panduanhewan.org/en/animal-days-calendar/#international-cat-day) | | Active | Crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk) — Pet cats often adjust their active hours to their owners' routine. · [Parker, M. et al. (2022) Comparison of Locomotor and Feeding Rhythms between Indoor and Outdoor Cats Living in Captivity. Animals 12(18):2440 (MDPI; PMC9494968)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9494968/) | ## One species, different lives House cats, local mixed-breed cats, and cats living around a neighbourhood belong to the same domestic species. These labels describe circumstances, not separate species. Before intervening, establish whether an owner or regular caregiver is present; appearance alone cannot tell you that a cat has been abandoned. Evidence: [Cats Protection — Stray, feral and owned cats](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/lost-found-and-feral-cats/stray-cats) ## A home that offers choices Provide quiet resting places, safe elevated spots, hiding places, and scratching surfaces. Separate food, water, and litter areas. In a household with several cats, distribute resources so one animal does not need to pass another to reach essential things. The layout matters as much as the number of bowls. Evidence: [Cats Protection — Indoor cats and environmental needs](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/caring-for-your-cat/home-and-environment/indoor-cats) · [Cats Protection — Welfare needs](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/getting-a-cat/your-responsibilities) ## Food and water Cats need nutrition appropriate to their species and life stage. Offer complete cat food and accessible fresh water; suitable portions depend on age, activity, and body condition. Milk does not replace water. Discuss changes in appetite or weight with a veterinarian rather than repeatedly changing foods without understanding the cause. Evidence: [RSPCA — What to feed your cat](https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/diet) ## Play is a need Short play sessions with toys to pursue offer an outlet for hunting behaviour without using wildlife. Rotate toys and introduce suitable puzzle feeders for variety. Let the cat end an interaction; chasing it or forcing it to be held can remove its sense of security in its own home. Evidence: [Cats Protection — Indoor cats and environmental needs](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/caring-for-your-cat/home-and-environment/indoor-cats) ## Plan care before a crisis Keep health records and have a sturdy carrier ready before you need one. Plan veterinary checks, vaccination, parasite control, and a discussion of neutering with a local veterinarian. Care must reflect the individual and local conditions; this profile does not prescribe a universal medical schedule or medicine dose. Evidence: [Cats Protection — Preparing for a cat](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/getting-a-cat/preparing-for-a-cat) · [Cats Protection — Indoor cats and environmental needs](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/caring-for-your-cat/home-and-environment/indoor-cats) ## Helping community cats Start by speaking with existing caregivers, recording how many animals are involved, and assessing sustainable care capacity. If arranging feeding, keep the location clean and work with neighbours. For adoption or fostering, consider space, time, costs, and a backup plan before moving an animal into a new situation. Evidence: [Cats Protection — Feral and community cat guide](https://www.cats.org.uk/media/10267/feral-guide-cats-protection.pdf) · [Cats Protection — Stray, feral and owned cats](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/lost-found-and-feral-cats/stray-cats) ## Scientific classification of the Domestic cat | Rank | Name | |---|---| | Kingdom | Animalia | | Phylum | Chordata | | Class | Mammalia | | Order | Carnivora | | Family | Felidae | | Genus | *Felis* | | Species | *Felis catus* | Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c) ## Common questions about the domestic cat ### What is the scientific name of the domestic cat? The scientific name of the domestic cat is *Felis catus*, in the family Felidae. In Indonesian it is called Kucing domestik. ### What kind of animal is the domestic cat? The domestic cat is a companion animal in the family Felidae. By diet it is a carnivore (meat-eater): a true (obligate) carnivore: needs nutrients found in meat. ### Where does the domestic cat live in Indonesia? In Indonesia, this guide records the domestic cat in: Homes and settlements across Indonesia. Source-supported habitats: [Urban Habitats](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/). ### What does the domestic cat eat? Diet of the domestic cat: obligate carnivore. That makes it a carnivore (meat-eater). Source: [Tufts Cummings School — Petfoodology](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2016/02/23/pet-nutrition-primer/). ### How does the domestic cat reproduce? The domestic cat reproduces by giving birth to live young (viviparous). Source: [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/). ### Is the domestic cat nocturnal? The cited source records the domestic cat as crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk). Pet cats often adjust their active hours to their owners' routine. Source: [Parker, M. et al. (2022) Comparison of Locomotor and Feeding Rhythms between Indoor and Outdoor Cats Living in Captivity. Animals 12(18):2440 (MDPI; PMC9494968)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9494968/). See also [the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/nocturnal-and-diurnal-animals/). ### What is the scientific classification of the domestic cat? Scientific classification of the domestic cat: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Mammalia, order Carnivora, family Felidae, genus *Felis*, species *Felis catus*. Source: [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c), adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology. ## Sources & references 1. [Cats Protection — Stray, feral and owned cats](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/lost-found-and-feral-cats/stray-cats) 2. [Cats Protection — Indoor cats and environmental needs](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/caring-for-your-cat/home-and-environment/indoor-cats) 3. [Cats Protection — Welfare needs](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/getting-a-cat/your-responsibilities) 4. [RSPCA — What to feed your cat](https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/cats/diet) 5. [Cats Protection — Preparing for a cat](https://www.cats.org.uk/help-and-advice/getting-a-cat/preparing-for-a-cat) 6. [Cats Protection — Feral and community cat guide](https://www.cats.org.uk/media/10267/feral-guide-cats-protection.pdf) 7. [Tufts Cummings School — Petfoodology](https://sites.tufts.edu/petfoodology/2016/02/23/pet-nutrition-primer/) 8. [Animal Diversity Web](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Mammalia/) 9. [Parker, M. et al. (2022) Comparison of Locomotor and Feeding Rhythms between Indoor and Outdoor Cats Living in Captivity. Animals 12(18):2440 (MDPI; PMC9494968)](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9494968/) 10. [GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF)](https://www.gbif.org/dataset/d7dddbf4-2cf0-4f39-9b2a-bb099caae36c) ## Further reading [Cat facts](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat/) — World Animal Rescue Network. _Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network._ ## Keep exploring - [Urban Habitats](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/) - [Responsible Cat and Dog Adoption](https://panduanhewan.org/en/guides/adopting-cats-dogs/) - [Fostering Animals](https://panduanhewan.org/en/guides/fostering-animals/) - [Cat and Dog Sterilisation Guide](https://panduanhewan.org/en/guides/cat-dog-sterilisation/) - [Lost or Found Pets](https://panduanhewan.org/en/emergency/lost-found-pets/) - [Flying with a cat or dog in Indonesia: fees and airline rules](https://panduanhewan.org/en/guides/travel-with-cat-dog-indonesia-quarantine/) - [Can I bring my dog or cat to Bali? The rabies ban explained](https://panduanhewan.org/en/guides/can-i-bring-my-dog-to-bali/) - [Cat vaccinations: types, schedule and benefits](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/cat-vaccinations/) - [Rabies in dogs and cats: signs and prevention](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/rabies-in-dogs-and-cats/) - [Neutering cats and dogs: benefits, timing and aftercare](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/neutering-cats-and-dogs/) - [Choosing a vet and vet clinic in Indonesia](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/choosing-a-vet-in-indonesia/) - [Feline panleukopenia: signs, spread and vaccination](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/feline-panleukopenia/) - [Fleas, ticks and mites in cats and dogs](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/fleas-ticks-and-mites/) - [Worms in cats and dogs: types, risks and prevention](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/worms-in-cats-and-dogs/) - [Ringworm in cats: signs, spread and when to see a vet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/ringworm-in-cats/) - [Foods that are dangerous for cats and dogs](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/foods-dangerous-for-cats-and-dogs/) - [Toxoplasmosis and cats: facts, myths and prevention](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/toxoplasmosis-and-cats/) - [Heatstroke in cats and dogs: signs and prevention](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/heatstroke-in-cats-and-dogs/) - [Cat vomiting: causes and when to see a vet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/cat-vomiting-when-to-see-a-vet/) - [Cat not eating: causes, risks and when to see a vet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/cat-not-eating/) - [Feeding your cat well: nutrients, taurine and water](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/feeding-your-cat/) - [Can cats and dogs eat rice, tofu, eggs or milk?](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/can-cats-and-dogs-eat-human-food/) - [Dental care for cats and dogs: signs and prevention](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/dental-care-for-cats-and-dogs/) - [Overweight cats and dogs: checks, risks and safe weight loss](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/overweight-cats-and-dogs/) - [Cat flu: signs, spread and vaccination](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/cat-flu/) - [FIP in cats: causes, signs and diagnosis](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/fip-in-cats/) - [Diarrhoea in cats and dogs: when to see a vet](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/diarrhoea-in-cats-and-dogs/) - [Caring for orphaned kittens: the basics](https://panduanhewan.org/en/pet-health/caring-for-orphaned-kittens/) --- Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Domestic cat. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/cat/