Who Domesticated Whom? The Untold Story of the Cat

When we think of man's best friend, the dog is usually the first animal that comes to mind. And for good reason: the relationship between humans and canids is one of the oldest and deepest in the animal kingdom.

It’s estimated that wolves first approached early hunter-gatherers around 30,000 years ago, and their domestication became firmly established about 15,000 years ago. This was an active process, where humans selectively bred the most docile wolves to help us with hunting and protection. The dog became a true working partner and a member of the family.

The story of the cat, however, is a very different one. The cat wasn't domesticated by us—it domesticated itself. We didn't need them to help us hunt large prey, that's what dogs were for, but when we stopped being nomads and started cultivating and storing grains, we had a new challenge: plagues control, and that's when their relationship with humankind started.

A Solitary Hunter Joins the Agricultural Revolution

Our relationship with cats started about 10,000 years ago, at the Fertile Crescent. Felis silvestris lybica, the African wildcat, is the ancestor of all our domestic cats.

Bold and opportunistic, the wild cats were drawn to this new and abundant food source: the rodents living near human settlements. Humans, in turn, quickly realized how useful these little hunters were for protecting our valuable harvests. It was a mutually beneficial relationship: the cat got easy food, and humans got natural, effortless pest control.

Coevolution: A Partnership of Equals

Unlike the dog, the cat was never bred to fulfill a specific function for humans, at least not in the beginning. They weren’t taught to herd, track, or guard property. Their only “job” was to be a cat—an expert hunter. The cats that were more tolerant of human presence and didn't run away, were the ones that thrived.

This is a classic example of coevolution: two species evolving together, influencing each other. Cats adapted to life near humans, becoming more social and developing vocalizations (like the meow) specifically to communicate with us. On our sice, humans got used to their presence and behavior, even their aesthetics and charm, eventually coming to revere them, as was the case in ancient Egypt.

The bond solidified in a more subtle way than with the dog. While dogs were molded by the human hand, cats shaped their own relationship with us. Their independence, agility, and hunting nature remained almost untouched, but their sociability adapted to ours.

The Modern Cat: More Than a Mouser

Today, the cat has conquered our homes and our hearts. It's estimated that there are over 600 million domestic cats in the world. They are no longer just valued for pest control, but as lifelong companions.

Their company reduces stress, and their purr has become one of the most comforting sounds.

So, next time you see a cat lounging around your home, remember its fascinating history. It isn't a domesticated slave, but an equal partner in one of nature’s most successful evolutionary partnerships. A solitary hunter who found its place in the human world without losing its essence.