| Cats are unlike any other domesticated animal in that | | | | solitary creatures (with the exception of lions and |
| they have retained an independent streak despite | | | | cheetah), therefore they do not live in a pack or |
| centuries of living with humans. In fact, the history of | | | | herd that has a defined leader. In other words, a wild |
| feline domestication is thought to go back as far as | | | | cat is a law unto itself. Consequently, when it comes |
| the Ancient Egyptians in the third millennia B.C. | | | | to training or domesticating these animals, it is almost |
| It is clear that the Egyptians had a fascination with | | | | impossible, because humans cannot assert |
| cats that can be seen in pictures, art and artifacts. | | | | themselves as surrogate leaders. |
| However, it is almost impossible to tell whether these | | | | Moreover, the domestication of cats did not involve |
| were domesticated or wild animals. Nevertheless, by | | | | any kind of selective breeding until the late part of |
| 1600 B.C. the volume of cats featured in Egyptian art | | | | the 1800s. Subsequently, unlike dogs, horses, goats, |
| has led historian to believe that cats were, at least to | | | | sheep and other domestic animals, the feline breeding |
| some extent, domesticated by this time. | | | | program is centuries behind. Obviously, the aim of |
| Why Did Cats Begin to Live with Humans? | | | | selective breeding is to select the character traits |
| In most cases of domestication, humans instigated | | | | that are most suited to a life lived with humans. Due |
| the relationship with the animal for their own gains. | | | | to religious and superstitious reasons, cats were seen |
| However, with cats, the story is slightly different. It | | | | as handy assets, but not pets. Therefore, human |
| is thought that cats were drawn to humans for | | | | intervention over breeding was not considered |
| warmth, security and food. You may have noticed in | | | | necessary. |
| your own cat that felines tend to take the path of | | | | Recent Changes in Domesticated Cats |
| least resistance and the offer a free meal and a cozy | | | | Now, of course, there are many pedigree breeds of |
| fire seems to have been too much to resist. | | | | cat and it is thought that this can make all the |
| It was then that humans realized that cats came | | | | difference in terms of personality and willingness to |
| with benefits - a reduction in mice and rats. So, | | | | be around humans. The longest standing pedigrees, in |
| understandably, people tried to encourage the cats | | | | other words, those that have been selectively bred |
| to stay. As the relationship was just as beneficial for | | | | for the longest period of time, are thought to |
| them, they did. | | | | behave very differently to non-pedigree felines. It |
| Why Did Cats Retain Their Independence? | | | | should be said that there has been no official |
| Whether you are a cat lover or not, you will be | | | | research to ascertain this, but cat breeders and |
| aware of the huge difference between cats and | | | | fanciers have noted behavioral inconsistencies, which |
| other domesticated animals. Sometimes known as | | | | indicate that cats will become more domesticated as |
| the most domesticated wild animal, the vast majority | | | | time goes on. |
| of cats look upon humans with disinterest and, at | | | | Of course, so little is known about early humans and |
| times, utter disdain. There can be no question, cats | | | | their relationship with animals. It certainly seems as |
| live with us, but, as has always been the case, very | | | | though cats and humans have had a mysterious |
| much on their own terms. | | | | relationship for millennia. Quite why they continue to |
| So, why are cats so different to other domestic | | | | live with us is also a bit of a mystery, but maybe |
| animals? Well, there are two principal reasons. First, is | | | | that is the attraction. |
| the way that a cat would live in the wild. Cats are | | | | |