What has a head like a cat, feet like a cat and a tail like a cat, but is not a cat?

How to think about it

1. Every part listed, head, feet and tail, looks like a cat’s, so the answer must look almost exactly like a cat.
2. Ask what looks exactly like a cat but is called something else.
3. The answer is a cat that is not yet grown. Young animals get their own names.
4. A kitten has a cat’s head, feet and tail, yet we call it a kitten, not a cat.

Why “a kitten” is the answer

A kitten is a young cat, and its head, paws and tail already look like a cat’s in miniature. The riddle plays with naming: we say “kitten” rather than “cat” for the first year or so, which lets the question claim it is not a cat. The logic is the same as a puppy not being called a dog.

Common wrong answers

• A tiger. A tiger has a cat-like head and tail, but its feet are enormous and it is still a cat in the broad sense.
• A cat costume. A costume looks like a cat, but the riddle is about a living animal with its own name.