A pedigree cat is a cat that belongs to a specific breed and has a documented lineage that can be traced back through several generations. This means that the cat's parents, grandparents, and great-grandparents were all purebred cats of the same breed, and their ancestry has been recorded in a pedigree registry. In contrast, a non-pedigree cat, also known as a domestic shorthair or domestic longhair, is a cat that has no known breed ancestry or documented lineage. These cats can have a wide variety of physical characteristics, coat patterns, and temperaments, and they are not recognized as a specific breed by any cat registry. Pedigree cats are often bred for specific physical traits or characteristics that are desirable for their breed standard, such as coat length, color, and pattern, as well as behavioral traits like temperament and intelligence. They are often more expensive than non-pedigree cats, and their breeders may be more selective about their homes and living environments.