Words commonly used regarding cats and kittens, their health, and different aspects of breeding and showing pedigreed cats.
Whether you’re a feline fancier, a new breeder or are interested in showing your cat, this glossary of frequently used cat terminology will help you better understand the world of cats. If you are involved with cats in any way, it helps to be able to communicate clearly with breeders, researchers, veterinarians, and other cat lovers. The more you know about your kitty, the more you can help make the world a better place for our feline friends!
Feline and Cattery Terminology - If you're trying to find a kitten from a reputable breeder, understanding their terminology will help you find exactly what you're looking for. From Altered to Whole, the terms in this article defines words that are generally used when referring to felines or that a cattery owner might use on her websites, like:
- Breeding rights – If you intend to breed your purebred cat, make sure you inquire about breeding rights before you purchase your kitten!
- Queen – Though all female cats think they are queens, catteries use this word to refer to their breeding females.
- Underfoot – Refers to kittens raised as part of the breeder’s family
Feline Health Terminology - Keeping your cat healthy or dealing with an illness is much easier if you understand all the terms that researchers and veterinarians use regarding your cat's health. From Alopecia to Zoonosis, this article gives the meanings of commonly used feline medical terms, like:
- Asymptomatic – Showing no signs of disease
- Pathogen – Organisms that cause disease
- Renal – Of the kidneys
Cat Breeder’s Terminology - If you are interested in breeding cats or are just starting out as a breeder, these terms and definitions will help you understand words commonly used by cat breeders. From Adult cat to Weaning, this article covers breeder’s terminology like:
- Anestrus – When a cat is not in heat
- Estrus – When a cat IS in heat
- Gestation – The period of pregnancy
Cat Show Terminology - If you're considering showing your pedigreed cat or your household pet, these terms will get you familiar with terminology used in cat shows. From ACFA to Variety, this article covers commonly used cat show terminology, like:
- Benched – Nothing like being benched in baseball! When a kitty is benched, it just means they are waiting to see the judge.
- HHP – Household pet – did you know you could show your pet cat at some cat shows?
- Standard – The ideal characteristics for each breed
Feline Characteristics - Is your cat solid, color point, or tabby? Perhaps your kitty has feathers or a blaze. They might even wear bracelets or mittens. From Agouti to Wry bite, this article covers terms that describe your cat’s physical characteristics, like:
- Blaze – No, your kitty isn’t on fire, they have a stripe up the center of their forehead.
- Britches – Unless your cat is really wearing pants, this term refers to the fur on the upper backs of his legs.
- Bracelets – Are you buying your kitty bling? Or are you describing the rings around a tabby’s legs?
Cat Colors - Kitty color terms you should know and understand if you are breeding or showing cats or are just a knowledgeable feline fancier. From Albino to White (yes, there’s a difference), this article describes words that refer to all the different kitty colors, like:
- Blue – Your purebred kitty might be offended if you just call her gray!
- Calico or Tortoiseshell – Both colors have the same three colors, but calicos have patches of color, where the tortoiseshell looks like someone smeared their finger paints.
As always, if you have any questions at all, please drop by our kitty discussion area!
