The domestic cat (Felis catus) is to be found in every corner of the world. Archeological finds show that cats first became domesticated in the Middle East about 9000–10,000 years ago. However, the real beginning of domestication is likely to have begun thousands of years earlier as humans and ancestral cats became more and more interdependent, as humans adopted more sedentary, agricultural lifestyles. Cats had a useful role in controlling crop-destroying rodents.
Cats then spread to literally all regions of the world, along trade routes between ancient civilizations. It is interesting that cats have remained surprisingly similar to their wild felid ancestors (Felis silvestris). Even though cats eventually became pets, we can say that the modern cat is not fully domesticated in the pure sense of the word. Indeed, Modern cats remain self-sufficient if the need arises, with strong hunting skills and displaying a wide array of behaviours ranging from untamable to highly affectionate pets.
Cats then spread to literally all regions of the world, along trade routes between ancient civilizations. It is interesting that cats have remained surprisingly similar to their wild felid ancestors (Felis silvestris). Even though cats eventually became pets, we can say that the modern cat is not fully domesticated in the pure sense of the word. Indeed, Modern cats remain self-sufficient if the need arises, with strong hunting skills and displaying a wide array of behaviours ranging from untamable to highly affectionate pets.