I'm trying to remember the name of a set of books I read some 40+ years ago. Thought my grandkids might like to read them. From what I remember The female lead was a young woman captured by cat type men for sale as slaves on others worlds. The leader of the cat men takes a fancy to her and through the set they get closer and finally end up as mates. I remember there was a jungle world in one. The first book was mostly on their ship. I think there were other types of aliens involved also. I wish I could remember more. Let me know if you come up with anything. One of them has a birthday in about two weeks and I through this might make a good gift. Debbie

Look up the Chanur novels by CJ Cherryh

These are from the nineties but I think it's what you are looking for... Anne McAffrey's Freedom's Landing, Freedom's Choice, and so on. The alien species were Catteni.