The exhaust gas-purifying catalyst of the invention includes a noble metal, and crystallites that form CZ composite metal particles which serve as a carrier supporting the noble metal and contain at least zirconium (Zr) and cerium (Ce). The CZ composite oxide particles (crystallites) further contain crystal growth-suppressing fine particles which are fine metal particles comprising primarily a metallic element M that melts at 1,500° C. or above and which suppress crystal growth by the CZ composite oxide particles. The content of the metallic element M included in the CZ composite oxide particles, expressed in terms of the oxide thereof, is 0.5 mol % or less of the total oxide.