Domestic Cat

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Subfamily: Felinae
Genus: Felis
Species: Felis catus

 

Origin of the Domestic Cat

The Wildcat is a small wildcat species complex found around the world. The Domesticated Cat evolved from one of these Wildcat subspecies.

The Wildcat is a species complex comprising 5 different Wildcat subspecies. A species complex is a group of organisms that are so similar in appearance/other features that the boundaries between them are often unclear. These animals are so closely related that they can interbreed. Below are pictures of some of the different Wildcats found around the world.

A 2007 study of feline mitochondrial DNA of approximately 1,000 cats from many different regions (including Africa, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, and the Middle East) showed 5 genetic lineages of the wildcat population.These lineages are:

-African Wildcat (Felis lybica) [Africa]

-Southern African Wildcat (Felis cafra) [Southern Africa]

-Chinese Mountain Cat (Felis silvestris bieti) [China]

-Asiatic Wildcat (Felis ornata) [Central Asia)]

-European Wildcat (Felis silvestris) [Europe]

 

Out of these five, genetic mapping shows the Domestic Cat originated from the African Wildcat (Felis lybica). Genetic analysis shows that the Domestic Cat did not evolve from the European species of Wildcat, but rather exclusively from the African Wildcat (Felis lybica).

During the rise of agriculture in the Fertile Crescent approximately 10,000 years ago, African Wildcats were attracted to the rodents living in the grain stores of the farms developing in that region.  The cats stuck around for the food and eventually the human companionship. The humans let them stick around because they killed pests and because cats are awesome. These newly domesticated cats became one of the most revered animals in Ancient Egypt.

With the advent of widespread agriculture, came trade via land and sea travel- and these newly created Domestic cats (descended from the African Wildcat) went along for the ride.

“Cat skeleton analyses, together with the mammal iconography, allow researchers to make an assumption that cats reached Europe migrating from the Near East, through Anatolia, Cyprus, Crete, Greece, to Ancient Rome, ….. and to the Celts and Germans.”

source: https://phys.org/news/2020-07-years-history-domestic-cats-central.html

 

Difference between the Wildcat, the Domesticated Cat, and feral cats:

Wildcats are actual wild cat species- not to be confused with a feral cat (which is a Domesticated Cat that has returned to living in a wild state.) However, one could argue that the Domestic Cat is barely domesticated itself.

A note about the Domesticated Cat: they aren’t totally domesticated animals even though they are capable of behaving tamely around humans and many do enjoy living with them. Some small genetic changes have occurred within the Domestic Cat’s genome, but regardless, most Domesticated Cats retain a certain wildness and are quite capable of living like their wild ancestors. Here is a study about the minute genetic changes Domesticated cats have undergone: https://www.livescience.com/48696-origins-of-cat-domestication.html

 

 

 

Domestic Cat Behavior

Domestic cats can be solitary and live like lone panthers or they can behave like lions in a pride and enjoy a warm social life with humans as well as other animals like other cats, dogs, horses, etc. They often treat their humans like members of their pride.

A note about the Domesticated cat: they aren’t really domesticated animals so much as ones that ones that are capable of behaving tamely around humans and enjoying living with them. Some genetic changes have occurred within the Domestic cat’s genome, but regardless, most Domesticated cats retain a certain wildness; and are quite capable of living like their wild ancestors. Here is a study about the small genetic changes Domesticated cats have undergone: https://www.livescience.com/48696-origins-of-cat-domestication.html

 

 

 

Environmental Issues

Domestic cats are capable of decimating the local populations of songbirds in their neighborhood, and should be kept inside if they end up displaying a hardcore predilection for little birdies- or local mammalian wildlife (chipmunks etc should not be hunted either).

It is also dangerous for cats to be outside without supervision. They can get hit by vehicles, or eaten by coyotes, or harmed by people. There are too many risks; please keep your cats indoors or supervise them in a safe outdoor space.

 

 

 

Other Issues

 

Adopt Rescues:

There’s lots of stray cats in need of loving homes- please adopt rescue kitties. Mixed breed cats are also healthier and longer lived than purebred cats.

 

Outlaw Declawing:

Declawing cats is barbarous and abusive. It is like cutting off the fingers above the end joint on a human hand (the end of the cat’s bones are removed along with the claws) and it results in arthritis and pain for the rest of the cat’s life, not to mention the psychological trauma of knowing it cannot hunt or defend itself.

 

Outlaw Stump-legged, Flat-faced, And Hairless Cat Breeding:

Recently unethical breeders have been breeding cats with shortened deformed legs, known as Munchkin cats. This should be against the law- these animals can’t move like they were meant to and experience psychological and physical issues as a result of this congenital deformity.

Also, hairless cats suffer all kinds of health issues as well; it is a cruel breeding practice. Many Kittens get Respiratory illnesses from exposure. These cats can suffer from Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and hereditary myopathy. These guys evolved to have coats- don’t make them go cold and naked!

It is also wrong to breed cats with flat faces (they can’t breathe well) or misshapen ears (Scottish fold cats are prone to hearing issues, ear infections, and body deformities.)  Just let cats be how Mother Nature intended: gorgeous, healthy, sound in body, and happy.

 

Outlaw Designer Cat Breeding:

I also want to point out some facts about designer cat hybrids such as Bengal cats. Creating Bengals is unethical because they come from crossing captive Asian Leopard Cats (a wild species) with domestic cats. Asian leopard cats are wild animals that shouldn’t be kept in captivity so that people can own expensive designer cat breeds. It’s inhumane. Bengal cats also have health problems due to inbreeding. https://www.pets4homes.co.uk/pet-advice/inherited-health-problems-in-bengal-cats.html

More info https://bigcatrescue.org/savannah-cats-and-bengal-cats-make-bad-pets/

 

 

Info on wild cats here