Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world, and they have been living with humans for thousands of years. However, unlike dogs, who were domesticated through a long process of selective breeding, cats seem to have domesticated themselves.
We’ll discuss how cats became domesticated and why it seems they may have contributed to the domestication process.
Earliest Domesticated Cats in Egypt
The earliest evidence of cats living with humans, dates to ancient Egypt. They were revered as sacred animals and often depicted in art and mythology. It is believed that cats were initially attracted to human settlements because of the abundance of rodents and other small prey that lived around people’s homes.
They may have come for the food but how did they end up in our homes?
6 Reasons Cats Domesticated Themselves
- Pest control: Wild cats were likely attracted to human settlements because of the abundance of rodents and other small prey that lived around people’s homes. As cats began to prey on these animals, they may have inadvertently helped humans by controlling the pest population.
- Protection: Cats may have also been attracted to human settlements because they provided a safe refuge from predators. In turn, humans may have allowed cats to stay around their homes to help protect them from rodents and other pests.
- Tolerance of humans: Over time, cats may have become more tolerant of human presence as they interacted with people and received food and shelter. This allowed them to form a closer relationship with humans.
- Independent nature: Unlike dogs, which require extensive training and socialization, cats are highly independent and do not require as much attention or training. This made them well-suited to living alongside humans without the need for extensive training or breeding.
- Natural selection: Cats were able to choose their own mates and were not subjected to the same level of artificial selection as dogs. This allowed them to retain many of their wild traits, including their physical appearance and behavior.
- Mutual benefits: Over time, cats and humans developed a mutually beneficial relationship, with cats providing pest control and humans providing food and shelter. This may have helped solidify the bond between cats and humans.
Here’s another kitty article you’ll like: Will Cats Protect Their Owners: 6 Ways They Protect
These factors likely contributed to cats domesticating themselves over thousands of years. While humans may have played a role in shaping their behavior and relationship with us, cats were able to develop a close relationship with humans largely on their own terms.
Now isn’t’ that a typical cat? Nothing has changed.