6 of the best free cat apps

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Great for discovering cat breeds: Cat Scanner
Spotted a gorgeous feline? Upload a photo to Cat Scanner and it will identify the breed with impressive accuracy. The app can recognise 60 different types of cat, including some literal wild cards (think: lions and cheetahs)! And not to worry if there are no felines around – you can try it out on humans instead...
Great for keeping your cat entertained: Cat Fishing 2
If you don’t mind your moggie getting their paws on your tablet or phone, there are plenty of app games for cats to test her reflexes. Not every cat takes to online gaming, but bigger screens tend to work best, and you may need to show her what to do! The Cat Fishing games from Purina Go-Cat lets her practise her hunting skills by tapping to catch fast-moving fishies.
Great for pretending to speak cat: Human-to-Cat Translator
Record a short audio message, and this app will translate it into a sequence of miaows sampled from real cats. As the disclaimer notes, it ‘does not provide true Human-to-Cat Translating functionality’, but it’s certainly entertaining.
Great for translating what your cat is saying: MeowTalk Cat Translator
It’s not always obvious what our pets are trying to tell us. But this app, developed by a former Amazon Alexa engineer, promises to help decode your cat’s miaows. MeowTalk uses machine learning to get to know her individual vocalisations, with your help. Just don’t expect an in-depth chat – the app recognises 13 key cat phrases, such as ‘Hello’ and ‘Feed me’.
Great for pretending to be a kitten: Cat Simulator
This is one of several cat simulation games that allow players to channel their feline side. Once you’ve chosen your cat’s appearance and got the hang of navigating around, you’re free to start exploring the game’s various locations – and causing havoc! Tackle time challenges, find food and bonus items, take naps and scratch or break everyday items to earn rewards.
Great for super-simple gaming: Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector
Gameplay is minimal in this hit cat game from Japan: keep your backyard stocked with cat food and accessories, and you’ll soon notice a host of stray moggies appearing next to them. It really is as simple as that! The app is intended to be easy for children to play (just keep them away from in-app purchases). But the cute animation and surprise visits from rare cat characters have charmed many an older kitty collector, too.
Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector for iOS; Neko Atsume: Kitty Collector for Android
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