What pronoun is used for a cat in English? - briefly
In English, the pronoun "it" is commonly used to refer to a cat, regardless of its gender. This usage is consistent with how we refer to other animals as well.
What pronoun is used for a cat in English? - in detail
In English, the choice of pronoun used for a cat depends on whether you are referring to the cat's gender or not. If you are referring to a specific cat whose gender is known, you would use the appropriate personal pronoun: "he" if the cat is male and "she" if the cat is female. For example, "The black cat is sleeping in the sun; he looks very content." or "The white cat is playing with her favorite toy."
If the gender of the cat is unknown or you are referring to cats in general, it is common to use the pronoun "it" rather than a gendered pronoun. This usage reflects the historical and cultural context where animals were often referred to using neutral pronouns. For instance, "The cat is sleeping on the windowsill; it looks very comfortable."
However, in recent years, there has been an increasing trend among pet owners and animal lovers to use gendered pronouns for their pets regardless of whether the gender is known or not. This reflects a growing recognition of the individuality and personalities of animals. Therefore, you might hear someone say "The cat is playing with its toy; she seems very happy" even if the cat's gender is not specified.
In summary, while traditionally "it" has been used for cats in English, modern usage trends toward using gendered pronouns based on the perceived or known gender of the animal.