The domestic cat is one of the smallest members of the Felidae family, which also includes lions, tigers, jaguars, and cougars. It is the only domesticated representative of this family. For thousands of years, cats have lived alongside us. Initially, they likely gathered around human grain stores, drawn by the presence of rodents. After sailors began taking cats on their voyages, these animals spread across the globe. Today, they continue to help humans combat pests while also serving as beloved companions.
Over the past few centuries, people have bred dozens of cat breeds with specific traits, such as hairlessness, to suit their preferences. But how did it all begin? Modern domestic cats descend from Felis silvestris lybica, a wild subspecies native to Africa and the Middle East. DNA from ancient cats found during archaeological digs indicates that around 10,000 years ago, in what is now Turkey, cats began to interact with humans and separated from their wild relatives. For centuries, cats traveled on ships with traders who valued their ability to protect goods by keeping rats at bay. This way, cats conquered vast distances.
One archaeological expedition uncovered DNA from Egyptian cats in northern Germany, near Viking settlements dating back to between 700 and 1000 AD. The oldest known burial of a domestic cat (alongside a human) is about 9,500 years old and was discovered in Cyprus. Cats were highly revered in Ancient Egypt. Some scholars believe that Egyptians domesticated cats separately from the Near Eastern lineage, while others suggest that domestication spread from modern-day Turkey to Egypt. Regardless, the Egyptians appreciated the independence of cats and even saw traits of their gods in them. Numerous depictions of Bastet, the cat-headed goddess who was the protector of pregnancy and childbirth, have survived to this day. These animals were even mummified and buried with their deceased owners. However, there is a darker side to this story of love: cats were often sacrificed during religious rituals.
Did cats really domesticate themselves? This idea has been proposed by scientists. The fact is that ancient wild cats actively sought to be near human agricultural settlements. This marked the beginning of a mutually beneficial relationship between cats and humans. In return, the inhabitants of these settlements provided the animals with ample food and shelter from the elements. Since cats helped drive away pests, people not only tolerated but welcomed their presence. Eventually, these animals evolved to become friendlier towards humans, as reported by Live Science.
Were cats domesticated in the same way as dogs? Genetic data suggests that humans domesticated dogs much earlier than cats, specifically between 30,000 and 14,000 years ago. The debate continues over how some wild wolves transformed into friendly dogs. However, it is clear that people invested significantly more time and effort into shaping the genetics of domestic dogs. Unlike cats, the temperament of dogs is more predictable and aligns more closely with human needs. Meanwhile, some scientists believe that cats are still not fully domesticated. This perspective arises from the fact that many domestic cats remain quite wild. They can live outside human captivity and fend for themselves. Moreover, wild and domestic cats often interbreed, resulting in domestic cats retaining many of their wild instincts.