Cats are one of the most popular and beloved pets in the world, with over 600 million of them living with humans globally. But how did these furry creatures become our companions and friends? Where did they come from and how did they evolve? In this blog post, we will explore the fascinating History of cats, from their wild ancestors to their domesticated descendants.

For a long time, it was a widely held belief that cats originated in Egypt some 4,000 years ago. However, there’s now DNA evidence showing that cats and humans have been living together for 12,000 years¹. Talk about a long cat domestication history.

An analysis of the genetic composition of 79 house cats and their ancestors from all over the world concluded that all domestic cats actually have a common descendant, the African wildcat called Felis silvestris lybica, or “cat of the woods.”¹ As the name suggests, the ancestors of your precious furball probably made the transition from the forest to people’s homes, from there to their hearts.

There’s even more proof to dispute the Egyptian theory. In 2004, a cat was discovered deliberately buried with a human in a 9,500-year-old neolithic grave in Cyprus². As there are no native wildcats on this Mediterranean island, it’s safe to assume that cats must have been brought to the island. Thus, cats’ evolutionary history and domestication started much earlier than was initially thought.

Today, it’s believed that wildcats started living with humans in the Middle East’s Fertile Crescent¹. This is an area of fertile land along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers. The people who lived there settled into a life of agriculture—transitioning from being hunters and nomads to becoming farmers. Farms and crops attracted rodents and vermin, which in turn attracted cats. Thus a beautiful relationship was born between felines and humans.

Everyone knows that the Egyptians worshipped felines as gods, but did you know that cats were so revered there that killing one was punishable by death³? Like in the Middle East, Egyptian cat history shows they were “employed” by the ancient Egyptians as mouse-catchers. They were in charge of protecting crops and stopping diseases from spreading among the people. They did a great job and raised the quality of life of Egyptians to a whole new level. Thus marking a turning point in the history of cats so much so that felines soon started to be seen as more than just useful animals, but as sacred creatures that represented life and prosperity¹.

The Egyptians associated cats with several deities, such as Bastet, Sekhmet and Mafdet. Bastet was the goddess of love, joy and fertility, often depicted as a woman with a cat’s head or as a cat herself. Sekhmet was the goddess of war and healing, sometimes shown as a lioness or a woman with a lion’s head. Mafdet was the goddess of justice and execution, who took the form of a cat or a mongoose³.

The Egyptians showed their devotion to cats by mummifying them along with their deceased owners or as offerings to the gods. They also made statues, jewelry and other artifacts depicting cats or cat-headed gods. Cats were so important to the Egyptians that they even went to war with other nations that threatened their feline friends³.

Cats spread from Egypt to other parts of Europe and Asia through trade routes and migration. They were valued for their pest control abilities and their companionship by various cultures. However, not everyone loved cats as much as the Egyptians did.

In medieval Europe, cats suffered a dark period in their history. They were associated with witchcraft, evil and the devil by the Christian church. They were persecuted, tortured and killed by superstitious people who feared their mysterious powers³. Some historians believe that this mass killing of cats contributed to the spread of the bubonic plague, as there were fewer cats to keep rats at bay³.

Fortunately, not all Europeans hated cats. Some admired them for their courage, intelligence and beauty. For example, Vikings kept cats on their ships as good luck charms and as pets. They also worshipped a goddess named Freyja, who rode a chariot pulled by two cats³. In Celtic mythology, there was a cat-like creature called the cait sidhe, who could shape-shift into a human and had supernatural abilities³.

In Asia, cats were also respected and adored by many cultures. In China, cats were seen as symbols of luck, wealth and longevity. They were also believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and protect the home³. In Japan, cats were revered for their grace, elegance and charm. They were also associated with the goddess of mercy, Kannon, who sometimes appeared as a cat to help people in need³. One of the most famous cat icons in Japan is the maneki-neko, or the beckoning cat, who is believed to bring good fortune to its owner³.

In the past few centuries, humans have bred some cats to display certain traits, like hairlessness, establishing dozens of cat breeds. The first cat show was held in London in 1871, where different breeds of cats were exhibited and judged³. Since then, cat shows have become popular events around the world, where cat lovers can admire and compete with their feline friends.

Some of the most common cat breeds today are:

• Persian: A long-haired breed with a round face and a flat nose. They are known for their sweet and gentle personality.
• Siamese: A short-haired breed with a pointed coat and blue eyes. They are known for their vocal and curious personality.
• Maine Coon: A large breed with a thick coat and tufted ears. They are known for their friendly and playful personality.
• Ragdoll: A semi-long-haired breed with a pointed coat and blue eyes. They are known for their relaxed and affectionate personality.
• British Shorthair: A medium-sized breed with a dense coat and round eyes. They are known for their calm and loyal personality.
• Bengal: A hybrid breed between a domestic cat and an Asian leopard cat. They have a spotted or marbled coat and a wild appearance. They are known for their energetic and adventurous personality.

Cats have also become popular subjects of art, literature and media in modern times. Some of the most famous fictional cats are:

• Garfield: A lazy and sarcastic orange tabby who loves lasagna and hates Mondays.
• The Cheshire Cat: A mischievous and mysterious cat who can disappear and reappear at will in Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
• Hello Kitty: A cute and cheerful white cat with a red bow who is a global icon of Japanese culture.
• The Cat in the Hat: A witty and whimsical cat who wears a red-and-white striped hat and causes chaos in Dr. Seuss's children's books.
• Grumpy Cat: A real-life cat named Tardar Sauce who became an internet sensation for her grumpy facial expression.

Cats have a long and rich history that spans across continents and cultures. They have been our allies, our enemies, our gods and our friends. They have inspired us, amused us, fascinated us and loved us. They have evolved from wild predators to domestic companions, but they have never lost their charm and charisma. Cats are truly remarkable animals that deserve our respect and admiration.

(1) A Brief History of Cats: From the Wildcat to the House Cat. https://petpedia.co/history-of-cats/.

(2) Cats: The strange and fascinating history of our feline friends. https://www.livescience.com/facts-about-cats.

(3) Cat History | The History of Prehistoric & Domestic Cats - Animal Corner. https://animalcorner.org/cat-history/.

Image Attribution: Chatennoir, Hauskatze langhaar, CC0 1.0