Based on a world felid species genetic analysis there is generally strong support for the classification of the Andean cat into the genus Leopardus. Previously the Andean cat was classified as Oreailurus. This former classification was based on few specimens and in part on the relative size difference in the skull's auditory chambers, a trait which is also found in other felid species. The available information suggests that the Andean cat is closely related to the Pampas cat (Leopardus colocola). The Andean cat is recognised as a monotypic species.

The Andean cat is almost twice the size of a domestic cat. Andean cats do not seem to be sexually dimorphic in fur colour but comparison of cat skulls and data from a few live-trapped animals, suggest that there is a dimorphism in morphology and size. Its coat is very long and thick, about 40 mm on the back and 35 mm on the tail. Its coat is pale silvery grey and marked with brown-yellowish to dark grey or black blotches. Conspicuous thick dark stripes extend down the sides from the back. Prominent dark grey bars run also across its chest and the legs have narrower dark stripes or blotches which do not form complete rings. The under parts are white and marked with dark spots. Juveniles have lighter colouring and smaller blotches than adults. With its very long and thick fur the Andean cat is very well adapted to the harsh climate of its main habitat, the Andean mountains and Northern Patagonia. The tail is characteristic being very long and bushy, measuring around 66–75 % of the cat’s head to body length and is marked with 6–9 wide dark brown or black rings. This long tail is probably an aid to balance when the cat is hunting. The Andean cat has relatively large ears and a black nose. The Pampas cat also inhabits this region and the two species appear quite similar. They can be distinguished by the colour of the nose which is light coloured for the Pampas cat and the tail length which is longer for the Andean cat. Moreover, Andean cats are slightly larger and heavier than Pampas cats, with the smaller Andean cat females being about the same size as the larger Pampas cat males. The two species also differ craniometrically. However, detecting these differences remains difficult – especially in the field – and therefore some diagnostic keys were developed. Similar to its main prey, the mountain vizcachas (Lagidium spp.), and its presumed former prey, the mountain chinchillas (Chinchilla chinchilla), the Andean cat has a large auditory bulla. This is typical for animals inhabiting arid environments with little cover for protection.

The Andean cat is the most threatened cat species in the Americas and occurs at low densities. It is classified as Endangered in the IUCN Red List. The Andean cat is classified as Critically Endangered in Bolivia, Endangered in Chile and Peru and Vulnerable in Argentina. In comparison to the Pampas cat, the Andean cat is rare and genetic analysis suggests that it had a historic and a currently small population size. Two density estimations have been done, in northern Argentina and centre west of Bolivia, resulting in 7–12 and 1.8 individuals/100 km² respectively. Its status and population sizes are not well known. Its total population was estimated at 2,755 animals with 1,378 mature individuals.  

The habitat of the Andean cat is naturally fragmented and because of the uneven distribution of its prey it is quite patchily distributed. Therefore, its distribution is restricted and not connected. A population genetics study of the Andean Cat indicated a very low genetic diversity and identified two distinct Andean Cat populations: the Andean cats in the Patagonian steppe and the cats in the highlands. Based on genetic analysis and the Andean cat's distribution 10 subpopulations were identified. However, more studies are needed to confirm these subpopulations. There are no known Andean Cats in captivity.

The Andean cat occurs mainly in the high Andes of Peru and Bolivia, north of Chile and northern Argentina up to 5,000 m but recently has been found in Argentina and Chile outside the Andes, in the Patagonian steppe and scrub habitats at much lower altitudes (as low as 650 m).

The Andean cat is apparently very specialized in its habitat requirements. It has been found in the arid and semi-arid sparsely vegetated areas of the high Andes above the timberline at an average elevation of 4,236 m in Argentina, above 3,800 in Bolivia and between 3,714 and 4,414 m in Chile. These environments have heterogeneous geomorphology, extreme weather conditions and consist primarily of very rocky and steep terrain with patchily distributed sparse vegetation; all these characteristics are also present in northern Patagonia. Valleys with patchily distributed rock walls are the preferred habitat. Rock piles and boulders are the only type of cover available at such altitudes and are also important for its main prey, the mountain vizcachas. The occurrence of these prey species probably as well as competition from the Pampas cat in some areas influences the Andean cat’s distribution and its population densities. Beside the occurrence of prey, the availability of rocky slopes and watercourses appear to be important habitat features for the Andean cat. It is believed that the Andean cat’s habitat is naturally fragmented and highly fragile. The Andean cat is also found within the Andean foothills of Central Argentina and the Patagonian steppe as low as 650 m. It seems also to use the scrublands found in almost flat terrain. In the southern Andes of Argentina it was detected at 1,800 m and at 2,200 m in the Atacama Region in Chile. However, the most important factor influencing its occurrence is the presence of its main prey species. Its distribution range is similar to the current range of the mountain vizcacha and the historic range of the short-tailed chinchilla. Thus the ruggedness of the landscape is an important predictor of possible Andean cat presence.

Its range covers four eco-regions: the high Andes, the Puna region, the southern Andean steppe and the northern portion of the Patagonian steppe.

There is little known about the ecology and behaviour of the Andean cat. For a long time, knowledge about this species was derived exclusively from furs and few specimens in museums and it was hardly observed in the wild. Since the establishment of the group "Alianza Gato Andino AGA" in 1999, the information about the species is improving and the number of recent distribution records has greatly increased.

Most sightings of Andean cats have been made during daytime. However, recent camera trap and radio telemetry studies indicate that it is possibly crepuscular and active at night which is likely to be related to the feeding habits of its main prey. The diurnal activity could be restricted to certain periods of the year. A radio-collared animal in Bolivia was mainly nocturnal and the activity pattern was similar to the ones of the mountain vizcachas. The Andean cat is probably a solitary species. It has been seen in pairs during the mating season and with cubs after giving birth. It is thought that the mating season is between July and December and that births occur between October and April.

There is no data available on territoriality. It is possible, as with most felids, that the males have larger territories than the females and that territories overlap to a certain degree between sexes. Due to the naturally fragmented habitat, territories and home ranges may be very large. The home range was 65.5 km² (95% MCP) for a radio-tracked female in Bolivia and 58.5 km² for a male in Argentina. In the Jujuy province, Argentina, the mean home range size of two females and one male using radio-telemetry was estimated at 79.9 km² (100% MCP) and 46.9 km² (Kernel 95%), respectively.

In Bolivia, the mating season is reported to be between July and August but could also be longer as cubs have been observed from April to September and in October. 

The Andean cat feeds on small mammals, small birds, waterfowl, lizards and insects. Its primary prey is the mountain vizcacha. A recent study in NW Argentina found that small mammals were the most frequent prey items (93% of the samples). Previously mountain chinchillas (Chinchilla spp.) were probably the most important prey but those went locally extinct and have been extirpated from most of their distribution range due to overhunting.

The Andean cat is included in Appendix I of CITES and it is fully protected across its range. Hunting and trade are prohibited in Argentina, Bolivia, Chile and Peru. However, law enforcement is difficult in most of its distribution range and in some parts non-existent.

Since 1999, the Alianza Gato Andino is working on the Andean cat in all range countries. This alliance includes an Andean Cat Global Genetic Project aiming to complete the distribution gaps of the species and to identify different populations and conservation management units, and a long-term monitoring network for the species in Chile. Beside further national conservation, education projects for the protection of the Andean cat and its habitat, some multi-national projects exist. Due to these efforts, the information about this rare and unknown species is increasing. In 2004 the Andean Cat Conservation Action Plan was developed. This plan compiled and organized the existing information on the Andean cat, included the perceptions of local people from different geographic areas and listed protected areas where Andean Cat presence is confirmed or suspected. Based on the compiled information, main threats were identified and three lines of action were established: 1) Research, 2) Education and Community Participation, and 3) Conservation Management.

This Action Plan was revised as expected, after 5 years of its application, and several of those objectives were achieved or needed to be updated. Andean Cat Alliance members produced the Andean Cat Conservation Strategic Plan, in which the information on the species and its presence in protected areas was revised and geographic priorities were chosen for carrying out research and conservation actions. This Strategic Plan, maintained the three lines of action but updated the general objectives and specific goals, as follows:  

General objectives

a. To ensure long-term conservation of the Andean cat and its natural environment, including the restoration or rehabilitation of the environments that have suffered degradation.

b. To integrate the conservation of the Andean cat and its natural environment within local policies in the four countries where the species is present, working locally but with a global approach.

c. To strengthen activities of conservation and research in protected areas with Andean cat populations, and to promote the creation or extension of existing protected areas to provide connectivity and/or protection of habitats and Andean cat populations.

d. To promote research on the conservation threats, ecological requirements of the species, its principal prey, and other sympatric carnivores.

e. To standardize the activities of working groups under common and more effective goals.

f. To train protected areas staff and local communities in activities in research, education and conservation tasks; within and outside said areas.  

Specific goals by action line

1. Research

a) Distribution and Genetics: Complete the distribution map, identify the genetic structure, and establish the Andean cat conservation’s status within its expected range, to guide population conservation actions against habitat loss and degradation.

b) Ecology: Increase knowledge of biology, ecology and conservation threats of the Andean cat.

2. Education

To continue with environmental education activities and community participation, focusing on creating a favourable environment for the development of conservation actions, promoting critical thinking and generating participative opportunities linked to the biodiversity of mountain ecosystems and their main conservation problems, with the goal of increasing knowledge of the Andean cat, preserving its environment in order to help address the identified threats.

3. Conservation

Promote environmental management actions aimed to protect critical populations of Andean cats, their genetic variability, and their role in the ecological processes within their natural habitat. The status of the Andean cat and the size of its populations are still poorly understood and further research is urgently needed.

Local community engagement in conservation is currently the primary line of action of AGA. Traditional cultural reverence for the Andean cat could be the foundation of a conservation education program to reduce hunting pressure. The maintenance and restoration of mountain vizcachas, the Andean cat’s main prey, is also an important factor for its conservation.