A Brief History of the Domestic Cat

People are divided into two categories when it comes to cats. They either love them or they hate them. Keeping cats as pets has been around since ancient times. They have even been worshiped and feared. Sometimes people have gone as far as to think that cats are evil and affiliated with the devil. But, anyone who has ever loved cats knows, they can be life savers, or at least a loving companion.

Cats have been around for millions of years. There have been fossils of cats found back to the Pliocene age. This is approximately twelve to 2 and one-half million years ago. These ancient cats show many similarities to our modern day pets. It is thought that people in ancient Africa used cats to help keep pests out of their fields and silos. The farmers were grateful as they could find no easier solution to this problem.

Around 3,000 B.C., tamed cats were still used for pest control in ancient Egypt. There is a good chance this is how they became household companions and beloved pets. It is probably how they also came to be worshiped as gods. The Egyptians associated cats with the goddess Bast and mummified them to be buried in the goddess' temple. Cats were also domesticated in the Far East, but it is thought the date for that area was around 2,000 B.C.

Domesticated cats were taken from Egypt to Italy. Then these wonderful companions slowly gained popularity through Europe. Unfortunately for cats, though, by the Middle Ages, attitudes towards them changed drastically. The connection between cats and pagan religions was frowned upon greatly by the Christian church. They even went so far as to burn cats alive because they believed them to be associated with the devil. But, by the eighteenth century, most people had come to their senses and again realized the value of the wonderful cat. Since then, they have become popular as household pets, again.

Cats can be wonderful pets. They are good companions to people of all ages. They do, however, have a mind of their own. They are not at the beck and call of their humans. Cats are wonderful survivors. They can adapt to almost any environment and adjust quite easily to change. But, they will show you as much, or more, love as you show them. And, they, like most animals, love unconditionally. Only the lucky ones among us lowly humans have gotten to experience this love first hand.

SOURCES

Brunner, David, Dr. and Sam Stall. "Cat Owner's Manual." 2004. Quirk Books. Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Duno, Steve. "The Everything Cat Book." 1997. Adams Media Corporation. Avon, MA, USA.

Taylor, David. "Your & Your Cat." 1986. Alfred A. Knopf Inc. New York, NY. USA.