The domestic cat originated from Near-Eastern and Egyptian populations of the African wildcat, Felis silvestris lybica. The family Felidae, to which all living feline species belong, is theorized to have arisen about 12 to 13 million years ago and is divided into eight major phylogenetic lineages. The Felis lineage in particular is the lineage ...

Mar 29, 2025 · The oldest known burial of a domesticated cat comes from Cyprus, where a human and a cat were buried together 9,500 years ago. Cat bones also have been found buried in 5,300-year-old refuse pits ...

Nov 19, 2019 · By studying ancient cat DNA from all over the world, the researchers found that cat domestication began in the Fertile Crescent (in the Neolithic period) and accelerated later in ancient Egypt (in the Classical period) (Ottoni et al., 2017).

Jun 19, 2017 · In a new comprehensive study of the spread of domesticated cats, DNA analysis suggests that cats lived for thousands of years alongside humans before they were domesticated.

Jun 1, 2009 · Whereas other once wild animals were domesticated for their milk, meat, wool or servile labor, cats contribute virtually nothing in the way of sustenance or work to human endeavor. How, then,...

Mar 20, 2025 · Feral cats, in particular, demonstrate how quickly a population of domesticated cats can revert to a self-sufficient lifestyle. When pet cats are abandoned or left to roam, they form colonies, hunt their own food and avoid human contact — traits that show just how little they have changed from their wild ancestors.

Aug 14, 2023 · Cat domestication began after the domestication of dogs in northern Eurasia between 14,000 and 29,000 years ago. Kitties and other wild animals became domesticated once humans settled into one location.

Some believe that cats were actively domesticated by early humans, who selectively bred them for certain traits such as docility and friendliness. Others argue that cats domesticated themselves, choosing to live alongside humans because of the benefits they provided in terms of food and shelter.

Apr 2, 2024 · Explore the fascinating journey of cat domestication, from ancient partnerships with humans to modern-day companionship. Discover how cats transitioned from wild hunters to beloved pets in this comprehensive history by TICA.

Sep 21, 2023 · Human settlements in an area of the Old World known as the Fertile Crescent are where cat domestication originally began – around 10,000 to 12,000 years ago! This was confirmed by scientists and geneticists who performed an extensive genetic analysis of wildcats and domestic cats.