Cats have been domesticated by humans since the 8th millennium BC. Neolithic farmers started domesticating them to control rodent infestation. Evidence shows that Egyptian wildcat has contributed to the gene pool of domestic cats.
The domestic cats spread across Europe when traders and merchants introduced them at the beginning of the 1st millennium BC. And later on, they spread to all corners of the earth.
Since the beginning of the 19th century, cat breeds were being developed by selective breeding. On the other hand, cats have become an invasive species in some places.
Domestic cats have been an important part of human lives. Their anatomy and behavioral traits have helped them achieve this status.
Cat Behavior
The behavior of domesticated cats has played an important role in their relationship with humans. Cats were initially used to control rodent populations and since then they have become an integral part of civilization.
Despite being domesticated they can still survive in the wild. They have small anatomy which makes it easier to house them. They have evolved into socially active animals. They are playful and active. They are also quite intelligent which makes them a common choice for a pet.
They are also trainable. They can be trained to use litter boxes plus they can be trained to do other tasks as well.
A cat can be a “purfect” companion for you. You can choose from a variety of breeds available in the market.
Cat Breeds
There are around 71 standardized breeds. The development of these breeds started in the mid 19th century. These cats have a genome that is different from the ancestral wildcat genome. The breeds vary in behavioral traits. They also have different physical characteristics. For example, there are orange cats, tabby cats, and even Siamese cats. The list of cat breeds is truly endless!
The breeds have evolved from random-bred domestic cats. Hybrids of domestic and wildcats also exist. The purebred breeds are not genetically diverse and they have genetic disorders.
It is important to remember that some cats such as dilute calico cats are not a breed of cat but a combination of colors and patterns. These kinds of physical characteristics are rare.
Cats As Pets
Humans are intelligent beings and this is the reason they are at the top of the food chain. This also makes humans the only species that can tame other animals. The keeping of animals as pets has provided humans with companionship and animals that show high trainability are more acceptable as pets.
Cats have an attractive appearance, they are intelligent and they can be trained to do basic tasks. They are a sport in themselves and can be a great entertaining companion.
Cats have a life expectancy of 13-17 years and they are great for people who want to commit for a long duration. Keeping a cat is a responsibility because they require proper care and maintenance.
Most pet cats are adopted cats. They are mostly found by their adopters in vulnerable conditions.
The survey shows that cat owners experienced a positive outlook on life and their mental health was also better than people who did not have any pets.