How Cats Conquered the World: 10,000 Years of Domestication

Cats were domesticated around 7500 BC in the Near East, attracted to early agricultural settlements by rodent prey. Unlike dogs, cats domesticated themselves — choosing to live near humans rather than being selectively bred. Ancient Egyptians elevated cats to sacred status, punishing cat killers with death.

Romans spread cats throughout Europe as pest controllers. In the Middle Ages, cats were persecuted in Europe as witch familiars, ironically allowing rat populations to explode and spread plague. Sailors always kept ship cats for rodent control.

Today, there are over 600 million domestic cats worldwide..