The Natural Cat
Kingdom: Animalae
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: Catus
The first Felidae appeared 26 to 7 million years ago, and by about 10 million years ago modern cats had evolved. Felidae include the puma, ocelot, serval, lynx, bobcat, leopard, panther, jaguar, tiger, and lion, as well as the domestic cat. Cats are indigenous to every continent except Australia and Anarctica.
Felis catus, the domestic cat, is a recent addition to Felidae, evolving about 7,000 years ago, probably from the African wild cat. Domestication coincided with the shift from nomadic life to permanent settlement around 5000 B.C. The development of agriculture and subsequent storage of grain attracted rodents which in turn attracted cats. Cats are known to have been domesticated in Egypt by 2000 B.C., where they were highly regarded.
It is important to remember that, while our cats are domesticated, they are still animals and still have their natural instincts from the wild. When we make choices for their care, it is best to follow a path as close to Nature as possible.
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