| Like the dog, the modern domesticated cat is the | | | | solitary animals. In their natural environment, cats live |
| result of generations of selective breeding. However, | | | | and hunt alone, subsequently, they do not recognize |
| the roots of feline domestication are thought to go | | | | the hierarchy of a group, herd or pack. Obviously, |
| back millennia. Relatively little is known about the initial | | | | with animals, such as wolves, it is very easy for a |
| relationship between humans and cats. Nevertheless, | | | | human to take the role of pack leader and exert |
| we do know that the Ancient Egyptians were | | | | dominance. However, cat's do what they want to do |
| obsessed with them. | | | | and answer to no one. |
| Cats in Ancient Egypt | | | | Additionally, for centuries, cats were seen as a handy |
| In fact, it is thought that the beginnings of | | | | asset in killing vermin, but it did not appear necessary |
| domestication began in Ancient Egypt. There are | | | | to selectively breed them. In fact, humans did not |
| numerous paintings of cats dating back as far as the | | | | interfere with cat breeding until the latter part of the |
| third millennium B.C. Of course, it is difficult to | | | | 19th century. Partly, this was due to various |
| ascertain whether these are wild or domesticated | | | | superstitious and religious views surrounding cats. |
| cats. However, it is commonly believed that by | | | | Consequently, unlike horses, dogs and every other |
| approximately 1600 B.C. cats were at least | | | | domesticated animal, cats are thousands of years |
| somewhat domesticated, due to the frequency of | | | | behind in the breeding program. |
| their appearance in Egyptian art. | | | | Selective Breeding in Cats |
| The Start of Modern Domestication | | | | Subsequently, it could be argued that the true |
| In almost all cases of animal domestication, humans | | | | domestication of cats did not begin until the late |
| selected and bred animals that could be of use to | | | | 1800s. Obviously, a large part of selective breeding is |
| them. However, it is thought that this may not | | | | concerned with personality as much as it is on |
| necessarily be true of cats. Of course, cats became | | | | appearance. |
| very useful to humans in the hunting and eradication | | | | Therefore, it is thought that older pedigreed breeds |
| of vermin, such as rats and mice. | | | | of cat, those that have been selectively bred for the |
| Interestingly though, it is believed that humans did | | | | longest, tend to be more docile and interested in |
| not seek cats out for this purpose. Instead, cats | | | | human interaction than the non-pedigree cats. |
| were attracted to humans, due to the abundance of | | | | Although there have been no official studies of cat |
| food and the warmth of fire. As humans realized that | | | | temperament and the differences between pedigree |
| cats could be of benefit to them, they offered them | | | | and non-pedigree felines, breeders and cat fanciers, |
| food in the hope that they would stay. | | | | who have experience of dealing with both types of |
| Cats: The Most Domesticated Wild Animal | | | | cat, state that there is a marked difference in |
| For a long time, the cat was not considered to be | | | | behavior and character. |
| fully domesticated even though they were living with | | | | That said, there is still so much that we simply do not |
| humans. For many cat owners, the animal's | | | | know about feline domestication. The attraction |
| independence and willful nature are the attraction. But | | | | between cats and humans will perhaps always remain |
| it begs the question "why are cats unlike all other | | | | a bit of a mystery. The fascination that the Ancient |
| domesticated animals?" | | | | Egyptians had for felines and the cat's inclination to |
| Well, the answer is a combination of things. First, | | | | abandon solitary existence to live with us humans will |
| cats, with only two exceptions: lions and cheetah, are | | | | probably never be fully explained. |