Domestic Cat History

Brief History of the Modern Domestic Cat

People throughout the ages have always been fascinated by cats. In our society today, cats are one of the most popular pets we have in our homes. Cats are relatively easy to care for and make great companions. The domestic cat has been around for over 4000 years. It is believed that the Egyptians were the first to keep cats. They were used to control vermin and other pests. Cats were revered by Ancient Egyptians for being hunters and worshipped as gods and goddesses. The death penalty was imposed on anyone who killed a cat.

Tame felines were taken to Italy and after a while the domesticated cat could be found throughout Europe. The cats arrived in the New World with the Pilgrims. The shorthaired cats originate from Egypt and the longhaired cats came from Turkey and Iran. By the eighteenth century cats had become popular household pets throughout the world. The domestic cat is believed to have evolved from the African wild cat.

Domesticated cats today still have some of the characteristics of their ancestors. They have the same body shape, eyes, feeding and grooming habits. Some of the most popular non pedigree domestic cats today include the Moggie, which is black and white, and the - lucky or unlucky depending on your point of view - black cat. The Tabby cat is also another popular breed. There are 36 pedigree cats that are recognised around the world, and many people enjoy showing purebred cats in contests.

Cats make wonderful pets, no matter where you live. They make great companions for the elderly or people who live in flats or apartments. Children can form close bonds with their cats, and owning a pet from a young age is a great way to teach them how to respect and care for other living beings.

You can find many different types and breeds of cats in your local rescue centre or animal shelter. Larger national charities such as The Blue Cross , Cats Protection and the RSPCA all have rehoming schemes as well as lots of essential advice on adopting a cat. There are many older cats that need loving homes. Older cats are usually well adjusted and are calmer than kittens or young cats. If you are interested in having a pet that has a history that goes back over 4000 years you should definately begin by checking out the rescue shelters in your area, as sadly many thousands of cats are neglected or abandoned every year - something that would not have been tolerated in Ancient Egyptian times. And we call ourselves a civilised society.