The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word LEOPARD
L
E
O
P
A
R
D
More clues leading to the result LEOPARD
- Writer turned into fat cat
- Prowler spotted heading for despair after parole reviewed
- Writer about to visit fat cat
- US writer back to poke fat cat
- Beast pope only half forgave
- Old man entertained by frisky older 17
- Its quarters are not spotless
- Writer turning up to probe fat cat
- Spotted cat with snapping canines
- One’s spotted sign recorded initially in notebook
Buddy explains!

The straight part
We know that "cat" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case cat = leopard.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LEOPARD mean?
LEOPARD noun- Panthera pardus, a large wild cat with a spotted coat native to Africa and Asia, especially the male of the species (in contrast to leopardess).
- (inexact) A similar-looking, large wild cat named after the leopard.
- A lion passant guardant.
- Any of various nymphalid butterflies of the genus Phalanta, having black markings on an orange base.