Gets side-tracked, needing time for introduction for Cats (9)

I believe the answer is:

tigresses

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'for cats' is the definition.
(tigress is a kind of cat)

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Another definition for tigresses that I've seen is " are ferocious".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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