Mate is the Clan terminology for a partnership between two cats.

Two cats are usually considered mates after spending some time together, and are seen sharing tongues often, and after some confession of love, or asking them if they would like to be mates.

Usually when cats are apprentices or warriors, they would show some sort of affection towards a certain cat.

Clan cats usually take a mate from the same Clan, although there are examples of of pairings from different Clans or groups

However, some cats from different Clans will mate secretly despite it being against the warrior code.

| Examples |

- Bluestar and Oakheart

- Silverstream and Greystripe

- Leafpool and Crowfeather.

It is not unusual for a cat to have more than one mate, especially toms. After a while, if they stop showing affection, or if their mate dies, they will usually take on a new mate.

In the Warriors universe, breaking up is fairly rare, but can happen. Some examples of mates who broke up:

- Bluestar and Oakheart.

- Daisy and Spiderleg.

- Leafpool and Crowfeather.

- Bumblestripe and Dovewing.

- Goldenflower and Tigerstar.

- Rainflower and Shellheart.
• It is noted after Rainflower's death, that Shellheart always loved Rainflower, even after they weren't mates anymore.

- Sasha and Tigerstar.

Mates break up mainly for the following reasons:

- They decide they are not suited for each other anymore or don't truly love each other.

- One cat does not love the other anymore. (Daisy and Spiderleg)

- One cat does not truly love their mate back and has feelings for another. (Dovewing and Bumblestripe)

- Ending a relationship of forbidden love by mutual agreement, recognizing that loyalty to their Clan is more important than their love. (Leafpool and Crowfeather)

- Disagreements, mistrust, or misunderstanding. (Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw in Starlight)

- Disappointment in their mate's actions or behavior. (Shellheart and Rainflower in Crookedstar's Promise)

- One of the cats leave the Clan. (Goldenflower and Tigerstar)

- One of the cats dies. (Graystripe takes Millie as a mate after the death of Silverstream)

Taking a cat from another Clan (or a non-Clan cat) as mate is implicitly forbidden by the first rule of The Warrior Code, as such pairings are considered a sign of disloyalty.

Kits born from such relations are named half-Clan, and are usually not trusted.

Medicine cats, either male or female, are not allowed to take mates, in order to be fully dedicated to their medicine cat duties, though this rule is often broken. (ie. Crowfeather and Leafpool, Yellowfang and Raggedstar.)

Apprentices do not take a mate because they are too young, and that if females were to give birth to kits, it would distract them from their duties, though they do sometimes show affection.

There are a variant relationships with similar aspects to mates, either in mutual affection, mutual displays of affection, and/or breaking the warrior code to meet with another Clan cat at night.

However, these couplings are never considered official mates for varying reasons and never resulted in kits. Keep in mind, none of these cats ever become mates, but it is largely hinted that they might have become mates later.

Main examples of these are:

- Firepaw and Spottedleaf

- Squirrelflight and Ashfur

- Lionpaw and Heatherpaw

- Jayfeather and Half Moon

- Hollyleaf and Fallen Leaves

- Dovewing and Tigerheart

- Bramblestar and Jessy

- Dappletail and Stormtail

- Tallstar and Jake

- Foxleap and Rosepetal

Common reasons why these aren't true mates are the following:

- One or both were apprentices at the time and too young for a mate. (Lionpaw and Heatherpaw, Dovepaw and Tigerheart initially)

- It was forbidden by the warrior code and one or both would refuse to break it. (Spottedleaf and Firestar)

- Were never in an official relationship. (Jayfeather and Half Moon, Squirrelflight and Ashfur, Bramblestar and Jessy)

- Were never clearly described as mates or resulted in kits. (Dovewing and Tigerheart, Dappletail and Stormtail, and Tallstar and Jake)

- Author realised they were related. (Foxleap and Rosepetal)

- Author discrepancies. (Hollyleaf and Fallen Leaves)

| List of Mates |

| ThunderClan |

- Adderfang and Swiftbreeze

- Berrynose and Poppyfrost

- Birchfall and Whitewing

- Brackenfur and Sorreltail

- Bramblestar and Squirrelflight

- Bumblestripe and Dovewing (formerly)

- Cloudtail and Brightheart

- Dustpelt and Ferncloud

- Firestar and Sandstorm

- Berrynose and Honeyfern

- Fuzzypelt and Robinwing

- Greystripe and Millie

- Halftail and One-eye

- Lionblaze and Cinderheart

- Lionheart and Frostfur

- Morningstar and Songbird

- Patchpelt and Willowpelt

- Pinestar and Leopardfoot

- Robinwing and Patchpelt

- Redtail and Brindleface

- Rooktail and Daisytoe

- Smallear and Speckletail

- Larksong and Flamenose

- Snowbush and Lilyheart

- Stormtail and Moonflower

- Spiderleg and Daisy

- Tawnyspots and Willowpelt

- Thistleclaw and Snowfur

- Tigerstar and Goldenflower

- Unnamed tom and Ivypool

- Whitestorm and Willowpelt

- Windflight and Poppydawn

| WindClan |

- Breezepelt and Heathertail

- Crowfeather and Nightcloud

- Deadfoot and Ashfoot

- Gorsestar and Windstar

- Hareflight and Mistmouse

- Jagged Peak and Holly

- Meadowslip and Hickorynose

- Onestar and Whitetail

- Redclaw and Brackenwing

- Sandgorse and Palebird

- Sedgewhisker and Emberfoot

- Shrewclaw and Ryestalk

- Woollytail and Palebird

| RiverClan |

- Appledusk and Reedshine

- Beetlenose and Sunfish

- Cedarpelt and Lakeshine

- Crookedstar and Willowbreeze

- Hailstar and Echomist

- Mallownose and Petalfur

- Mintfur and Icewing

- Mudfur and Brightsky

- Owlfur and Softwing

- Piketooth and Shimmerpelt

- Rippleclaw and Greypool

- Shellheart and Lilystem (In Bluestar's Prophecy)

- Shellheart and Rainflower

- Tanglewhisker and Birdsong

- Timberfur and Ottersplash

- Unnamed tom and Mistystar

| ShadowClan |

- Blizzardwing and Featherstorm

- Brackenfoot and Brightflower

- Clawface and Rowanberry

- Crowfrost and Dawnpelt

- Mudclaw and Lizardstripe

- Raggedstar and Yellowfang

- Rowanstar and Tawnypelt

- Scorchfur and Snowbird

- Sparrowtail and Berryheart

- Spikefur and Pinenose

- Toadskip and Poolcloud

- Toadskip and Nettlespot

- Wolfstep and Fernshade

| SkyClan |

- Billystorm and Leafstar

- Braveheart and Shiningheart

- Buzzardstar and Fernpelt

- Cloudstar and Birdflight

- Patchfoot and Clovertail

- Rainfur and Petalnose

- Sharpclaw and Cherrytail

- Waspwhisker and Fallowfern

| Half-Clan |

- Appledusk and Mapleshade

- Crowfeather and Leafpool

- Greystripe and Silverstream

- Hal and Featherstorm

- Oakheart and Bluestar

- Reedfeather and Fallowtail

- Gorsetail and Beechfur

- Ryewhisker and Cloudberry

- Tigerstar and Sasha

- Windflight's parents

| Clanless Cats |

- Algernon and Bess

- Husker and Moss

- Jake and Quince

- Jake and Nutmeg

- Red and Harley

- Smoky and Coriander

- Smoky and Daisy

- Smoky and Floss

- Willie and Minty

| Tribe/Ancient Lake Cats |

- Stone Song and Broken Shadow

- Chasing Clouds and Rising Moon

- Jagged Lightning and Owl Feather

- Clear Sky and Bright Stream

- Clear Sky and Storm

- Clear Sky and Star Flower

- Falling Rain and Falcon Swoop

- Grey Wing and Turtle Tail

- Grey Wing and Slate

- Jackdaw's Cry and Hawk Swoop

- Moon Shadow and Dewy Leaf

- Stone Song and Hollow Tree

- Sharp Hail and Dewy Leaf

- Sheer and Night

- Stormfur and Brook