published

The Cat API

The Cat API offers developers free access to a vast collection of cat images, breed metadata, and user preferences, suitable for pet-related applications and digital experiences.

Developed by TheCatAPI

View Source
99.90%Uptime
250msLatency
540Stars
API KeyAuth
NoCredit Card
RESTStyle
v1Version
API Endpoints

Reference for available routes, request structures, and live examples.

Find cat images with filtering options

Full Endpoint URL
https://api.thecatapi.com/images/search
Implementation Example
curl -X GET 'https://api.thecatapi.com/images/search' \
  -H 'Authorization: Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'
Request Payload
{
  "limit": 1,
  "order": "RANDOM",
  "mime_types": "jpg,png"
}
Expected Response
[
  {
    "id": "MTYwODk3Mg",
    "url": "https://cdn2.thecatapi.com/images/MTYwODk3Mg.jpg",
    "width": 640,
    "breeds": [
      {
        "name": "Siamese"
      }
    ],
    "height": 426
  }
]
Version:v1
Limit:10,000 requests/day
Real-World Applications
  • Building pet-related mobile or web applications with dynamic cat imagesOptimized Capability
  • Creating interactive games or chatbots with cat triviaOptimized Capability
  • Developing educational content focusing on cat breeds and careOptimized Capability
  • Integrating cat images and breed info into social media or messaging platformsOptimized Capability
Advantages
  • ✓ Extensive collection of high-quality cat images
  • ✓ Detailed metadata on multiple cat breeds
  • ✓ User engagement endpoints like votes and favorites
  • ✓ Simple API key-based authentication
  • ✓ Well-documented with example requests and clear JSON responses
Limitations
  • ✗ Rate limits may restrict high-volume applications
  • ✗ No explicit support for videos or multi-media content
  • ✗ Lack of OAuth2 for more advanced authentication scenarios
  • ✗ Limited regional availability of some cat breed data
  • ✗ Free tier limits may not cover all enterprise needs

API Specifications

v1
Pricing Model
Freemium with paid tiers based on usage
Credit Card
Not Required
Response Formats
JSON
Supported Languages
7 Languages
SDK Support
JavaScript
Time to Hello World

Less than 15 minutes

Rate Limit

50 requests per minute

Free Tier Usage

Free tier includes up to 1000 API calls per month with standard rate limits.

Use Case: Best For

Developers building pet-related content, mobile apps, websites, and chatbots needing cat images and data.

Not Recommended For

Applications requiring video content or heavy API usage without paid plan.

Resources

Documentation Official Website Source Code Pricing Details Postman Collection
#images#animals#cats

Explore Related APIs

Discover similar APIs to The Cat API

View All APIs
PUBLIC

SpaceX API

The SpaceX API offers developers free access to detailed information about SpaceX's launches, rockets, missions, and launchpads, suitable for various applications.

Science & NatureView Details
PUBLIC WITH API KEY

Movebank

The Movebank API provides developers free access to detailed animal tracking data collected via GPS and sensors, suitable for ecological research and monitoring.

Science & NatureView Details
PUBLIC

NASA APIs

NASA APIs provide free access to mission data, imagery, satellite observations, and Earth science datasets, suitable for educational and scientific projects.

Science & NatureView Details