About Catdoku

Catdoku is a cozy logic puzzle that replaces traditional Sudoku numbers with adorable cats and colorful regions. The objective is not to fill every square. Instead, you need to determine the correct positions for the cats while satisfying several restrictions at the same time. Each colored region needs one cat, while every row and column can contain only one. Cats also need their personal space, so they cannot touch each other, even diagonally.

That combination makes Catdoku feel familiar to Sudoku fans while adding a different style of deduction. There is no arithmetic involved. The challenge comes from studying the board, eliminating impossible positions, and recognizing how one placement affects the rest of the puzzle.

Read the Grid and Eliminate Impossible Spots

The easiest way to approach Catdoku is to look for the row, column, or colored region with the fewest available spaces. Once a cat is placed, its entire row and column become unavailable for additional cats. The surrounding cells are also ruled out because cats cannot sit next to one another, even at a corner.

This creates a chain reaction. A single correct placement can eliminate several possibilities and reveal where another cat must go. Instead of guessing, keep narrowing the board until only legal choices remain.

From Cozy Starter Boards to Tougher Logic

Catdoku is designed to be easy to understand while becoming more demanding as the puzzles progress. Some versions offer hundreds or thousands of puzzles, while others use a defined collection of levels with increasingly larger grids.

The relaxed format makes it suitable for short puzzle sessions. There are versions with no timers or pressure, allowing you to stop and examine the board whenever a solution becomes difficult to spot. For stronger results, avoid placing cats simply because a square looks promising. Check the row, column, region, and neighboring cells first. A logical solution should emerge from the restrictions already present on the board.

Controls

Double-click: Place a cat
Click: Set X in a tile

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FAQ

Does Catdoku require math?

No. The puzzles are based on observation, elimination, and logical deduction rather than calculations.

Can cats touch diagonally?

No. Diagonal contact is not allowed, so a cat also blocks the cells immediately around it.

Is Catdoku difficult for beginners?

The basic rules are simple to learn, but later boards can require several deductions before the correct placements become obvious. This creates a gradual challenge without complicating the core concept.