Cats Slot | Free Demo & Review

Cats Slot Overview

IGT's Cats is one of those slots that's been around the block and still draws a crowd. There's a reason for that. It's a feline-themed game that doesn't try to be flashy or over-the-top it just delivers solid gameplay with a split-reel mechanic that you don't see every day. The big cats on the reels think lions, tigers, panthers, cougars look genuinely impressive, and the whole presentation has this rich, almost regal feel to it.

Here's the thing: Cats was one of the first slots to popularize the 5x4 reel layout with 30 paylines, and IGT built in a feature where symbols can appear stacked and split across positions. That alone sets it apart from the cookie-cutter five-reel games out there. The betting range runs from $1 to $50, so it caters to a wide range of players looking to try it out in free demo mode.

If you're into IGT slots, Cats is one of the titles that helped define the brand. It transitioned from land-based casino floors to online play and hasn't lost a step. The demo version gives you the full experience every feature, every animation, every stacked wild moment without spending a cent.

Game Features and Mechanics

Cats runs on a 5-reel, 4-row grid with 30 fixed paylines. That's a pretty standard layout these days, but keep in mind this game helped popularize it. Wins pay left to right starting from the leftmost reel, and you need at least three matching symbols on a payline to trigger a payout.

The symbols are where things get interesting. The game commonly features various big cat species as premium symbols each with different values on the paytable. Lower-paying symbols typically include standard card values. What makes the reel structure special is the split symbol feature. Certain symbol positions can display two symbols stacked into one spot, essentially giving you more symbols on the reels than you'd normally expect. This means more chances to land winning combinations on any given spin.

Look, the split symbols aren't just a visual gimmick. They fundamentally change the math. When you've got positions showing two symbols instead of one, the number of potential winning combinations jumps significantly. It's a clever mechanic that keeps the base game from feeling stale.

The interface is clean and easy to navigate. Your bet controls sit at the bottom, and you can see your balance, current bet, and last win at a glance. IGT doesn't overcomplicate things with this one, and honestly, that's refreshing. You set your bet between $1 and $50, hit spin, and let the big cats do their thing.

Autoplay is typically available in the demo version, so you can sit back and watch the reels go for a while if you want to get a feel for how often features trigger. I'd recommend doing a few dozen manual spins first to understand the paytable, then switching to auto if you want to speed things up.

Bonus Features & Special Symbols

Alright, let's talk about what actually makes Cats exciting beyond the base game.

Wild Symbols

The game features wild symbols that substitute for other symbols to help complete winning combinations. In Cats, wilds can appear stacked on the reels, and when they do that's where the big wins tend to show up. A full reel of stacked wilds combined with the split symbol feature can light up multiple paylines at once. I've seen it happen in demo play and it's genuinely satisfying to watch the win counter climb.

Split Symbols

This is the signature mechanic. Certain positions on the reels can display what are essentially two symbols occupying a single space. It's not a bonus round in the traditional sense, but it dramatically increases the number of active symbols on any spin. Think of it as getting a 5x8 grid worth of symbol coverage on a 5x4 layout. The split symbols apply to both regular and special symbols, which means your wilds and high-value cats can also appear in split form.

Free Spins

Cats typically includes a free spins feature triggered by landing scatter symbols across the reels. The exact trigger conditions and number of free spins awarded can vary, but the free spins round is where the game really opens up. During free spins, the split symbol feature remains active and from my experience playing the demo, wins tend to cluster more frequently in this round compared to the base game.

What stands out is how the stacked wilds and split symbols work together during free spins. You're essentially playing with enhanced reels that can produce significantly more winning combinations than a standard spin. It's not uncommon to see chains of smaller wins build up during the round, and occasionally you'll land a combination that catches you off guard with its size.

For a game that doesn't rely on flashy progressive jackpots or complex multi-level bonus games, Cats keeps it compelling. The features are integrated into the core gameplay rather than bolted on as separate mini-games. If you enjoy checking our high payout slots page, Cats is worth adding to your demo playlist to see how its mechanics compare.

How to Play Cats for Free

Playing the Cats free demo on Slottomat is about as straightforward as it gets. No hoops to jump through.

• Step 1: Click the play button on the demo above this review. The game loads right in your browser no download, no registration, no email required.
• Step 2: Once loaded, set your bet using the controls at the bottom of the screen. You can adjust between $1 and $50 per spin. Since it's free demo credits, feel free to experiment with different bet levels to see how it affects the gameplay.
• Step 3: Hit the spin button and watch the big cats land. That's it. You're playing.

The demo version uses virtual credits, so you can spin as many times as you want without any cost. It's the exact same game with the exact same features split symbols, stacked wilds, free spins all of it. The only difference is you're playing with fun money instead of anything real.

Honestly, the demo is perfect for getting a feel for how the split symbol mechanic works. It takes a few spins to really appreciate what's happening on the reels, and free play lets you take your time understanding it. If you enjoy Cats, check out our full library of free slots for hundreds of other demos from IGT and other top providers.

Play Cats on Mobile

Good news Cats plays beautifully on mobile. IGT built the game using HTML5 technology, which means it runs directly in your mobile browser on both iOS and Android devices. No app download needed. No storage space wasted. Just open Slottomat on your phone or tablet, find Cats, and start spinning.

The touch controls are intuitive. Tap to spin, swipe or tap to adjust your bet, and everything scales to fit your screen size. On tablets especially, the 5x4 grid looks fantastic you get a wider view of the reels and the big cat artwork really pops on a larger display.

I've tested the Cats demo on several devices, and the performance holds up well. Load times are quick, animations run smoothly, and the split symbol feature displays clearly even on smaller phone screens. You won't miss any gameplay features on mobile compared to desktop. The free spins round, stacked wilds, and split symbols all work identically.

One thing I appreciate is that the game doesn't drain your battery the way some more graphically intensive slots do. It's efficient. You can play through a long session during a commute or lunch break without worrying about your phone dying. Whether you're on an iPhone, a Samsung Galaxy, an iPad, or a budget Android tablet Cats runs without issues.

Is Cats Worth Playing? Our Verdict

Here's my honest take after spending considerable time with the Cats free demo: it's a genuinely well-designed slot that holds up remarkably well.

What it does right:

• The split symbol mechanic is clever and adds real depth to the base game. It's not just a marketing gimmick you can actually feel the difference it makes in how often combinations land.
• Stacked wilds create legitimate excitement. When they fill a reel during the split symbol action, it's electric.
• The theme is executed with class. These aren't cartoon cats they're powerful, striking animals rendered with serious artistic quality.
• It's easy to pick up. No complicated rulebook needed. Spin and the mechanics reveal themselves naturally.

Where it falls short:

• The base game can feel repetitive during dry stretches. Without frequent bonus triggers, you're leaning heavily on the split symbol feature to keep things interesting.
• The soundtrack and audio design are functional but not memorable. You won't find yourself humming the theme.
• If you're used to modern slots with cascading reels, expanding grids, or multi-level bonus games, Cats might feel a bit stripped back by comparison.
• The RTP and volatility aren't publicly confirmed, so you can't easily compare it against other games in our RTP database.

Who is Cats best for? Players who appreciate clean, mechanics-driven gameplay over flashy gimmicks. If you like IGT's classic approach to slot design where the math and the features do the talking you'll enjoy this. It's also a great pick for anyone curious about the split symbol mechanic, since Cats is one of the best examples of it in action.

I'd give Cats a solid 7.5 out of 10. It won't blow your mind with innovation by today's standards, but it's a polished, reliable game that delivers exactly what it promises. The split symbols give it an edge that keeps it from feeling generic, and the big cat theme is timeless.

Don't take my word for it though scroll up and try the Cats free demo yourself. Zero risk, zero commitment. Just hit play and see if the big cats treat you well.