When Were Cats Domesticated? Did Cats Domesticate Us?

Do you think your fur baby's ancestors responded this well to early domestication attempts? Images By Tang Ming Tung / Getty Images

These floofs have been living alongside humans for thousands of years. But when were cats domesticated to become our adorable yet aloof companions?

Unlike dogs, which were actively bred for specific traits early on, pet cats may have taken a more leisurely route to domestication. That's right: Cats likely domesticated themselves, strolling into human settlements, keeping the rodent population down and deciding they liked the arrangement well enough to stick around.

Over time, these early felines adapted to human environments while retaining much of their independence. And while domesticated cats now come in a variety of modern breeds recognized by the International Cat Association, they still share a lot of their DNA with their wild ancestors.

The Origins of the Domestic Cat

If you've ever wondered whether your indoor cat sees you as a loving caretaker or just a slightly larger, less coordinated feline, you're not alone. The domestication of cats is unique because it wasn't driven by human intervention in the same way as other house pets.

Instead of being deliberately bred for certain traits, wild cats likely began associating with humans because early agricultural societies provided an all-you-can-eat buffet of mice and other vermin.

The first evidence of domesticated cats appears in archaeological sites in the Near East, with some of the oldest known remains dating back about 9,500 years. Researchers discovered a burial site in Cyprus containing a human and a cat buried side by side — strong evidence that humans and felines had already formed a bond.

Unlike dogs, which were selectively bred for specific behaviors, early pet cats were naturally selected for their tolerance of humans, leading to a gradual shift from wild cats to domesticated cats.

Genetic Analysis and the Wild Cat Connection

Even though most domestic cats today seem perfectly content lounging on couches and chasing laser pointers, they still have a lot in common with their wild ancestors.

Genetic analysis has revealed that the modern domestic cat belongs to a species called Felis catus, which descends from the European wildcat and other closely related wild felines.

Unlike truly domesticated animals, such as cows or sheep, house cats have retained much of their wild behavior and physiology.

One reason for this is that intact cats — those that haven't been neutered or spayed — can easily revert to a feral lifestyle if they find themselves without human caretakers. Unlike dogs (which rely heavily on humans for survival), feral cats can hunt, reproduce and thrive without much assistance.

This genetic closeness to wild cats explains why cat populations can quickly grow out of control in areas where feral cats are left unchecked.

How Cats Spread Around the World

Once cats formed a relationship with early human settlements, they didn't just stay put. They hitched rides on boats, traveled along trade routes and spread across continents.

As traders and sailors carried cats to new lands, their presence helped control rodent populations, making them highly desirable house pets in cultures around the world.

Cats in Ancient Civilizations

Egyptian records from thousands of years ago depict pet cats lounging in homes and even being mummified alongside their owners, showing that these animals had already become valued companions.

By the time of the Roman Empire, domesticated cats had reached Europe, where they mixed with the European wildcat.

Modern Cats

Over centuries, natural selection and human preferences helped shape the modern breeds we recognize today. The International Cat Association now recognizes dozens of breeds, but whether a cat is a fancy pedigree or a common tabby, all modern domestic cats share a common ancestor.

The Blurred Line Between Wild and Domestic Cats

bengal cat in open nightstand drawer — The Bengal breed treads the line between wild and domestic. GK Hart/Vikki Hart / Getty Images

House cats have never completely lost their wild edge. Even the most affectionate indoor cat still retains its hunting instincts, as anyone who has been presented with a "gift" from their feline friend can attest.

This is because the domestication process for cats has been much more gradual than it was for dogs, with little artificial selection compared to other house pets.

Feral cats, in particular, demonstrate how quickly a population of domesticated cats can revert to a self-sufficient lifestyle. When pet cats are abandoned or left to roam, they form colonies, hunt their own food and avoid human contact — traits that show just how little they have changed from their wild ancestors.

The ability of intact cats to breed rapidly means that feral populations can explode in areas where they have no natural predators, creating ecological challenges for wildlife conservationists.

We created this article in conjunction with AI technology, then made sure it was fact-checked and edited by a HowStuffWorks editor.