Felis catus is a common pet. Most people know cats as cuddly creatures with four legs, a tail, and four legs. What makes a cat a cat? Cats come in many colors and shapes. This adorable animal has a long history that dates back to 7500 BCE. So, how did this lead to domesticated cats?
Cats can be domesticated carnivores, weighing anywhere from five to twenty-five pounds. Cats can measure in at around 28 inches in height, and they are all of the same species. National Geographic describes cats as natural hunters. They can track prey and attack with sharp claws. A well-known trait of cats’ is their ability to communicate with each other by marking objects like trees or couches. You can mark a territory when your cat scratches or urinates on it. The Fertile Cresent is the place where domesticated cats first appeared. This region is mostly known to be Western Asia. These areas were home to many rodent-friendly farms. They would keep some of their harvest in sheds. Because of the large number of rodents in these areas, cats would often live close to farms and eat the trash and rodents. As cats grew up, they became more comfortable with humans and became domesticated. Due to their hunting skills, cats were allowed to travel on ships and eat rats. Ancient Egypt was the first place to find evidence of cat-human cohabitation. Cats were considered to be Godly creatures. A cat killed would result in death. Additionally, it was illegal to export cats from Egypt. A separate government branch was established to handle this matter. Agents of the government were dispatched to other places to return the cats that had been smuggled in” (Ancient History Encyclopedia). Bastet, the goddess of fertility and protection from evil and disease, was responsible for women’s secrets, home, childbirth and cats. Her most common representation was of a cat with a feline head. The goddess was seen as having taken cats to her and they were worshiped. Safety for cats was prioritized over safety for humans. For a cat’s safety, someone would risk their own life to save it. The cat’s owner would mourn the loss and often shave their eyebrows in respect. The corpses were then taken to Bubastis, Egypt, or another Egyptian capital, where they would be embalmed. The cats would usually be mummified together with their owners, in holy locations such as. You can also find pyramids and tombs. After Egypt was made a Roman Empire providence, cats were also intergraded in the Roman culture. After being introduced to Romans, cats spread across Europe. The first ships that brought cats to the Americas arrived in America thousands of year later. According to some reports, Christopher Columbus was also accompanied by cats on the Mayflower. Cats of the middle ages were treated differently than the Egyptians. They were associated with witchcraft and devil. To disparage the Pagans the medieval church promoted the idea of cats being born from devils. Pagans, however, saw cats in a way that is holy and must be protected. The Pagans would often torture and kill a cat if they were found. Villages would then slaughter the cat. The Age of Enlightenment was the only time cats were restored to their former status. It was fashionable to paint cats and hang them in your home during the Age of Enlightenment. Cats used to live outside until the 19th century and were known for killing rodents in urban areas and farms. The 20th century was a time when cats were introduced to indoor-outdoor living. One of the ways that cats lived a different life was by being kept indoors and outdoors more frequently, particularly after World War One. Cats were kept to be companions and to show their talents. Cats were also employed as postal workers. The cats were responsible for keeping mice away from the postal building. Each week, the cats received one shilling. After much debate, one shilling was allowed per cat per week. Cats were only kept indoors until the inventions and use of cat litter, spay/neuter, and the refrigerator. Cats are omnivores, so most households wouldn’t be able afford fresh meat for their pets. For thousands of years, cats have been living outdoors. Since the 1970s, indoor cats have been very common.
The DNA of cats has not changed despite the lifestyle and treatment they received. The same biological needs and behaviors are still present in cats, no matter how old they were three thousand years ago.
Work Cite
“Cat: National Geographic.” Cat | National Geographic, National Geographic, 21 Sept. 2018, www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/d/domestic-cat/.
“The History of the Domestic Cat.” Alley Cat Allies, www.alleycat.org/resources/the-natural-history-of-the-cat/.
Mark, Joshua J. “Cats in the Ancient World.” Ancient History Encyclopedia, Ancient History Encyclopedia, 23 Oct. 2020, www.ancient.eu/article/466/cats-in-the-ancient-world/.
