The Fascinating Story of Cats and Humans.

Whether they’re snuggling up on our laps, playfully pouncing on a toy, or just lounging around nearby, cats have a way of bringing comfort, joy, and a little extra sweetness into our lives. I mean, it’s not hard to see why they rule the internet, right?

Latest studies reveal a third of all Australian households’ house at least one feline friend. But unlike other animals that were domesticated for food or work, history shows feline fur babies weren’t exactly invited into our homes—they kind of just showed up! 

Ever wondered how cats went from wild creatures to wonderful companions? Let’s take a closer look!

The Purr-fect Start

Back in the day, (around 10,000 years ago to be more precise) in areas of the Middle East (now known as Turkey, Israel, and Egypt), humans started farming and storing grain. The best thing about this for humans was that staple food commodities were created to be traded and to feed widespread populations. The best thing about this for hungry wild kitties was that humans unintentionally created the ultimate 'rodent buffet'.

Enter the African wildcat (Felis lybica), a kitty-cat species that closely resembles the domestic cat. It seems these wildcats were naturally drawn to this steady food source of mice and rats. And for their part, it’s likely that early farmers didn’t mind the presence of these accidental pest patrollers**,** because they protected their valuable grain supplies.

Over time, the kitties that were more tolerant of living in these human-dominated environments survived and thrived.And it seems the more sociable and less fearful cats naturally laid the foundation for the domestication of tabbies.

Paws & Effect

While cats may have first started living alongside humans in the Near East, it seems that around 4,000 years ago, in Ancient Egypt, the relationship between kitties and humans became much more formalised. Egyptians admired cats not only for their hunting and pest control skills but also for their grace and mysterious demeanour. Our favourite furballs became symbols of protection, independence, and femininity, and were even considered sacred creatures.

The goddess Bastet, depicted as a lioness or a woman with the head of a cat, was one of the most important deities in Egyptian culture. Bastet was worshipped as the goddess of home, fertility, and cats, and she symbolised the fierce yet nurturing nature of puddies.

Pet-Keeping 101

Because cats were highly revered in Ancient Egypt, it appears that many Egyptian families also kept them as pets. In many ancient cultures, wild animals were kept as companions because of emotional connections rather than practicality. In early Neolithic Cyprus, it has even been found that cats were buried with their owners, showing just how strong these emotional ties were.

Sadly, some modern-day pet owners believe that "smaller" wildcats, make the perfect exotic house pet. However, even after being bred or raised in captivity, wild animals keep their natural predatory instincts and can pose significant safety issues to their keepers and the public. Scientists, studying differences between wildcats and housecats are uncovering genetic changes that made domestication possible.

So, Are Today’s Kitties Truly Domesticated?

Yes, thanks to nearly 10,000 years of domestication, housecats are now tame and adaptable enough to be one of the world’s most popular pets. These modern-day cuddle monsters still form strong, affectionate bonds with their human families. And while they may not fetch the remote or guard the house, there’s no doubt that the coolest, quirkiest, most confident members of our families have earned a special place in our homes—and our hearts—and deserve the very best we can give.