How to play Cat Sudoku
The short version: put one cat in every row, every column and every colored region. Cats can't touch each other, not even diagonally. That's all the rules there are.
The three rules
| Rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| 1. One per row & column | Each row and each column holds exactly one cat. |
| 2. One per color | Each colored region holds exactly one cat, whatever its shape or size. |
| 3. No touching | No two cats share an edge or a corner. |
Step by step
- Look at the colors. The board is split into colored regions. You will place exactly one cat in each region, so a 6×6 board has 6 regions and needs 6 cats.
- One cat per row and column. Every row and every column must also end up with exactly one cat.
- Cats never touch. No two cats may sit in neighboring cells, including diagonal neighbors. Each cat needs the eight cells around it to be empty.
- Cross out impossible cells. Select Mark, then tap a cell to mark it with ✕ when it can't hold a cat. Crossing out is how you narrow down where each cat must go.
- Place cats where they're forced. When a row, column or region has only one cell left that isn't crossed out, its cat must go there. Select Place cat and tap that cell once.
- Repeat until every region has a cat. Each new cat lets you cross out its row, column, region and the cells touching it. Keep going until all cats are placed.
A solved example
Here is level 1, a 5×5 board, already solved. Check it against the rules: every row, column and color holds one cat, and no two cats touch.
Controls
| Action | Touch / mouse | Keyboard |
|---|---|---|
| Cross out a cell | Select Mark, then tap | X |
| Place a cat | Select Place cat, then tap once | C |
| Clear a cell | Select Erase, then tap | Backspace |
| Cross out many cells | Press and drag | – |
| Move around | – | Arrow keys |
| Undo / hint / restart | Buttons beside or below the board | |
Where Cat Sudoku comes from
Cat Sudoku belongs to the "star battle" family of logic puzzles, where you place a fixed number of objects in every row, column and region without letting them touch. The one-object version became popular as a daily puzzle under names like Queens; Cat Sudoku swaps the crowns for cats. Unlike classic Sudoku, there are no numbers, so it's quick to learn and great for a short break.
Play Cat Sudoku now Next: solving tips
Frequently asked questions
What are the rules of Cat Sudoku?
Place one cat in each row, each column and each colored region of the grid. Two cats may never touch, horizontally, vertically or diagonally. When all regions have a cat and none of them touch, the puzzle is solved.
How do I place a cat?
With Place cat selected, tap or click a square once to place a cat. Tap the cat again to remove it. Select Mark to cross out squares, or Erase to clear them. On a keyboard, use the arrow keys to move, C to place a cat and X to cross out.
Can two cats be diagonal to each other?
No. Cats can't share an edge or a corner. This touching rule is what makes Cat Sudoku different from simply putting one item in every row and column.
What does Auto ✕ do?
With Auto ✕ on, every time you place a cat the game marks the cells it rules out: its row, column, region and the eight touching cells. It's handy on big boards; turn it off if you prefer to do every step yourself.
Do I ever need to guess?
No. Every Puzzdoku Cat Sudoku has a single solution, and our solver confirms each board can be finished with logic alone before it's published.