From the mighty lion to the elusive leopard, the world's big cats might seem a world away from the cat curled up on your sofa. But as headline partner of Big Cat Fest, we're celebrating just how much these incredible animals have in common. Whether they're stalking toys, climbing to the highest shelf or communicating through body language, our pet cats still share many instincts with their larger relatives.
Are domestic cats related to lions, tigers and leopards?
Yes. Domestic cats may be much smaller than lions, tigers and leopards, but they all belong to the same animal family, Felidae. Although they evolved into different species millions of years ago, they still share many physical features, behaviours and hunting instincts.
The oldest cat lineage is the Panthera, which split from its common ancestor around 10.8 million years ago. This is the line our modern day big cats have evolved from, including:
- tigers (Panthera tigris)
- panthers (Panthera pardus)
- lions (Panthera leo)
Tigers were among the earliest members of the Panthera lineage to evolve. Today they can be found in a remarkable range of habitats, from the freezing forests of Siberia to the hot, humid swamps of the Sundarbans.
The Felidae family continued to evolve and branch off into different common ancestors until approximately 3.4 million years ago. This is when the Felis genus appeared. This group includes:
- the European wildcat (Felis silvestris)
- the jungle cat (Felis chaus)
- our own domestic cats (Felis catus)
Our domestic cats are most closely related to the African wildcat (Felis lybica), from which they're believed to have been domesticated around 10,000 years ago. Because the two species share such a recent common ancestry, they have many of the same behaviours, including hunting instincts and a preference for solitude. Domestic cats are also closely related to the European wildcat (Felis silvestris), which is why the two species can interbreed and produce offspring.
Domestic cats and tigers shared a common ancestor around more than 10 million years ago. They also share more than 95% of their DNA! But that is not where the similarities end.
8 similarities between cats and tigers
1. They have a similar body shape
There are vast differences in size within the Felidae family. Tigers can weigh up to 300kg (661lb), while the average domestic cat weighs around 4-5kg (9-11lb). Even one of the largest domestic cat breeds, the Maine Coon, typically weighs up to 8kg (18lb). Despite these differences in size, cats throughout the Felidae family share many physical characteristics, including:
- strong, supple bodies
- a long tail for balance
- sharp teeth and retractable claws perfectly adapted for hunting prey
2. They are obligate carnivores
As they are adapted to hunt it is no surprise that, like the tiger, our domestic cats are obligate carnivores. This means they need to have meat in their diet. This is because without meat they can become deficient in certain nutrients, such as taurine, arginine, arachidonic acid and vitamin A. This can cause a range of health issues.
While tigers have to hunt for their food, our cats have the luxury of commercial, well-balanced, complete cat foods to meet all their needs. Despite this our moggies still have a strong hunting instinct. Find out more about feeding your cat.
3. They scent mark their territory
Territory and personal space is very important to both tigers and domestic cats. They will mark their territory by:
- spraying urine
- rubbing their facial scent markers on objects
- scratching around the area to warn off other cats
Here's some advice on how to stop your cat scratching in the home.
4. They prefer to live on their own
Lions are the only members of the Felidae family that regularly live in social groups, known as prides. Most other wild cat species are largely solitary, although some may occasionally tolerate or cooperate with other cats.
Domestic cats have inherited many of these solitary instincts. While some cats form close bonds with other cats, many prefer to have their own space and territory.
5. They like boxes
With many zoos becoming more focused on improving animal welfare, the use of enrichment has become a normal part of the animals’ daily routine. This has shown us how, like our domestic cats, tigers love a good cardboard box too!
It’s important to provide your cat with plenty of places to hide at home, to help them feel safe. Find out more about cats and hiding.
6. They use their whiskers to understand the world
Whiskers are one of a cat's most important sensory tools. Whether it's a domestic cat exploring your living room or a tiger moving silently through dense vegetation, whiskers help cats understand the world around them.
Whiskers are highly sensitive and can detect tiny changes in air currents, helping cats judge whether they can fit through narrow spaces, avoid obstacles and even locate prey in low light. This gives all cats an advantage when hunting, especially at dawn, dusk or during the night.
Although lions, tigers and leopards live in very different environments from our pet cats, they rely on their whiskers in much the same way to navigate and hunt successfully. Find out more about why cats have whiskers.
7. They stalk and pounce before catching prey
Have you ever noticed your cat crouching low, wiggling their back end and creeping slowly towards a toy before suddenly springing into action? It's a behaviour shared with their wild relatives.
Lions, tigers and leopards all stalk their prey by moving quietly and keeping low to the ground before launching a powerful pounce. Domestic cats use the same instinctive hunting sequence, even if their target is a feather wand, a toy mouse or a fallen leaf blowing across the garden.
Although our pet cats no longer need to hunt for every meal, these natural behaviours remain an important part of how they play, exercise and express themselves. Providing opportunities to stalk, chase and pounce through interactive play helps satisfy these instincts in a safe and enriching way. Find out more about a cat's hunting behaviour.
8. They use their tails for balance and communication
A cat's tail does much more than express how they're feeling. It also plays an important role in balance, particularly when climbing, jumping or making quick changes of direction.
Domestic cats and big cats alike use their tails as a counterbalance when moving through their environment. Whether it's a leopard climbing a tree or your cat leaping onto the top of a bookshelf, their tail helps them stay agile and coordinated.
A cat's tail can also give us valuable clues about how they're feeling. A swishing tail may indicate frustration or excitement, while gentle movements can suggest curiosity or concentration. Observing your cat's tail alongside their ears, eyes and body posture can help you better understand their mood. A swishing tail can signal excitement or frustration, while gentle movements may show curiosity or concentration.
Interestingly, domestic cats are the only cats that regularly walk with their tails held upright as a friendly greeting to people and other cats. Big cats usually carry their tails horizontally or lower when walking. Find out more about why cats have tails.
Do all cats purr and roar?
One of the biggest differences between domestic cats and some of their larger relatives is the sounds they make. While all cats belong to the Felidae family, not every species can both purr and roar. Instead, different cats have evolved different ways of communicating, depending on their anatomy and lifestyle.
Do lions, tigers and leopards purr like domestic cats?
Domestic cats are famous for their soothing purrs, often using them when they're relaxed and content, but also sometimes when they're frightened, injured or in pain.
Big cats are a little different. Lions and tigers can produce a purr-like sound, but only when breathing out, and it isn't the continuous purr that domestic cats are known for. Instead, they're much better known for their powerful roars, which can travel several miles and help them communicate across large territories.
Leopards can make a range of vocalisations, including chuffs, growls and purr-like sounds, but unlike domestic cats they don't produce a true continuous purr. Smaller wild cats, such as cheetahs, bobcats and lynxes, are unable to roar but can produce a true purr, much like our pet cats.
Why can big cats roar but domestic cats can't?
The ability to roar comes down to the structure of a cat's voice box, or larynx. Lions, tigers, leopards and jaguars have specialised vocal anatomy that allows them to produce the deep, powerful roar they're famous for.
Domestic cats have a different larynx that's adapted for purring instead. While they can make a wide range of sounds, including meows, chirps, hisses and growls, they don't have the specialised structures needed to roar.
Although your cat's purr may not be as loud as a lion's roar, both forms of communication help cats express themselves and interact with the world around them.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
What is the closest relative to a domestic cat?
Domestic cats belong to the Felidae family, which includes all wild cats, from the tiny black-footed cat to the mighty tiger. Their closest living relatives are other members of the genus Felis, such as the African wildcat, from which domestic cats are descended. More distantly, they're related to larger cats including lions, tigers and leopards, all of which share a common ancestor.
Are cats 95% tiger?
You've probably heard that domestic cats share around 95% of their DNA with tigers. While the exact figure varies between studies, scientists agree that domestic cats and tigers are genetically very similar. This shared ancestry helps explain why they have many of the same instincts and behaviours, including stalking, pouncing, scent marking and grooming.
Are cats genetically related to lions?
Yes. Domestic cats and lions are both members of the Felidae family, meaning they're genetically related and share a common ancestor. Although lions evolved into a very different species millions of years ago, many of the behaviours and physical adaptations they rely on are still seen in our pet cats today.
What cat breed is closest to a lion?
No domestic cat breed is more closely related to lions than another, but some breeds have a lion-like appearance. For example, the Maine Coon's large size and shaggy coat, or the Norwegian Forest Cat's thick ruff, can give them a mane-like look. Despite their appearance, all domestic cat breeds belong to the same species: Felis catus.
What big cat behaves most like a domestic cat?
Many people say leopards are among the most cat-like of the big cats because they're agile climbers, spend time alone and often hide or stalk before catching prey. However, lions, tigers and other wild cats all share behaviours with domestic cats, from grooming and scent marking to playing and communicating through body language.
Is a cat more intelligent than a lion?
It's difficult to compare intelligence between different cat species because they've evolved to solve different challenges. Domestic cats are highly skilled at living alongside people and adapting to home life, while lions are experts at working together in prides to hunt and defend their territory. Each species is perfectly adapted to its own way of life.
If you'd like to discover more about the world's magnificent big cats, join us at Big Cat Fest and celebrate the incredible family that all cats belong to.
