The evolution of house cats

[Barb]

It is by turns aloof and affectionate, serene and savage, endearing and exasperating. Despite its mercurial nature, however, the house cat is the most popular pet in the world. A third of American households have feline members, and more than 600 million cats live among humans worldwide. Yet as familiar as these creatures are, a complete understanding of their origins has proved elusive. Whereas other once wild animals were domesticated for their milk, meat, wool or servile labor, cats contribute virtually nothing in the way of sustenance or work to human endeavor. How, then, did they become commonplace fixtures in our homes?

Full article here

The evolution of LOLcats is still up for debate.

 

[domesticshorthair]

Well, cats have ended up as the most popular housepet because they are perfection itself. See, cats are not really pets in the sense that they are independent. And they make the best pesticide ever.Wherever's there's a cat there's not likely to be pests. They hunt and each anything. Including crickets, lizards, rats, just about everything. Nature has achieved perfection in the cat. They're mysterious, beautiful, elegant, everything.

And they're so...i can't really find the word, but I mean, any housecat can turn into a little lion, just as any lion or tiger can turn into a housecat. Same gestures, everything. That's why they're great subjects for poetry, and art.

 

[Dewgong Reign]

I seem to like the idea of ancient Egyptians worshipping cats. "All bow down to Garfield..."

 

[Rayne]

I agree with domesticshorthair. I'm not sure why Scientific American makes the bold assertion that cats haven't made a lick of contribution to human industrial society. It's not like we could order the cats to do it, but in their own way, they've provided plenty of benefits to humans over the years. If anything, they helped keep famine and disease in check. They were routinely brought aboard middle age vessels to safeguard the rations and supplies on those long voyages from mice and other critters, a pretty important duty I'd imagine. Transfer that duty to new world farms and you have yourself a pretty awesome creature. (Now if only down the line cats hadn't become associated with witchcraft and terrible superstitions and drove people on tirades killing them or driving them out by the hordes :/ ) At least that's changed for the most part.

Why cats choose to be so close to humans, we may never know, though it's perhaps us wanting to be with them that they've accepted us.

Also as another interesting note, from what I understand domesticated cats weren't so much kept under foot and toe (indoors) until half a century ago. It's interesting to see how quickly that transition was made into turning the working cat into a domestic slouch.

 

[Hyatt]

So does this mean that cats are really better than dogs?

 

[domesticshorthair]

IMO, they are. Much better. I mean, I like dogs, I have a dog and a cat, but see, the cat's much smarter.That's just their beauty, they know how to get what they want.

Besides, cats have made a lot of contributions to society. Or do you prefer to have rats all over the place, eating crops and all that? I think cats chose to be with humans because they provide food.I mean, you feed them, but like back then, there were people who kept crops, and the crops attracted rodents, so therefore, cats decided it was convenient. Lots of prey right there.

 

[Pikapurple]

Actually, Terriers were bred to hunt down small animals, such as rodents. I know my dog still has that gene.

 

[Barb]

Why cats choose to be so close to humans, we may never know, though it's perhaps us wanting to be with them that they've accepted us.

They need somebody to do their bidding.

 

[System Error]

IMO, they are. Much better. I mean, I like dogs, I have a dog and a cat, but see, the cat's much smarter.That's just their beauty, they know how to get what they want.

Smart manipulative assholes are better than loyal yet still intelligence followers? Wha-!?

...the manipulation is much more severe than I thought! Everyone get tin foil! Wear it on your heads! Don't take it off! Armacatton is coming, people! They are plotting to take over the world, OH, THE HUMANITY!

Of course, it's not like they haven't earned it in some regards. Cats have been known to wake their owners from sleep during fires, and some can actually be just as protective as dogs (only instead of deadly bites, the victim gets cat scratch fever).

Or do you prefer to have rats all over the place, eating crops and all that?

Totally. I mean, it's not like snakes, foxes, lizards, bats, dogs, birds, and insects eat them too. Cats are the master of catching mice, just like American cartoons have taught us!

 

[Zephy]

I do adore my cats. Jazz and Vanilla are their names. It seems poke cats don't care who you are, if you love them they'll live you more. And they listen well. I like that.

 

[Pastellorama]

Cats... I love them, and I also have two dogs of my own. What is better then an animal that when you offend them, they decide to leave, but then turn around and smack you and give a lovely speech on their own behalf about unfairness before running away?

Also, my dogs bark when they hear doorbells- so, yes, they bark at the Domino's pizza commercial T_T. My cats do not do that, they perch themselves on the back of the couch, on the piano, in the window sill, and in any other 'high seat' place then wait for the door to open before fixing their eyes upon the visitor/intruder.

And, when they aren't being 'royalty' they turn into these hyperactive rocket furballs that shoot through the hallways, their claws digging into the doorway wood as they haul themselves upward before springing backwards from the wood and dropping to the floor, following the masterful land with a perfect roll onto their back- exposing a soft tummy that seems safe to pet, but is a trap for the uneducated hand that decides to attempt a soft belly rub.

When the day is done, they slowly stalk through the hallways, jumping onto beds, tables, dressers, or slinking under beds, couches, and into cupboards before adjusting themselves cozily on whatever feels comfortable- be it old binders, a discarded coat, stacked towels, or the pillow of their own pet human.

Moving on to the evolution of house cats- Well, whoever came up with the idea of bringing a soft, smart, animal with a personality included inside their home, I worship the ground they walk on, for without them I wouldn't have my baby Junior Mint.

 

[Torgetsu Kon]

I remember reading a book called "Animals in Translation" and it said that "though dogs have the need to please their owners, along with themselves, the cat has the desire to only please themselves". So I'm assuming that means that cats probably decided to join up with humans to accomplish pleasures only a human could give (like a shelter that safe from harm). But I guess it isn't to be scratched or rubbed down, since cats haven't evolved to the extent of dogs to take that as a sign of praise or accomplishment (you must give a cat a snack to praise it).

As for the intelligence of cats, I say both dogs and cats are smart, but in their own way. Dogs have been taught to help humans with jobs, but cats can be taught, if it listens, in ways to make their leisure life with us easier, like being able to be toilet-trained.

 

[Perxio]

Speaking of that book: anyone who likes animals should read "Animals in Translation", by Temple Grandin. Anyone who works with animals or lives with them should DEFINITELY read it. I can't say enough for it, can't say enough to emphasize how good and informative a book it is. Go freaking read it if you haven't.


Anyway, the link in the original post is dead.


Carry on...

 

[domesticshorthair]

Of course they need someone to do their bidding.XD

My cat always knows when I'm about to have a seizure, and as for waking you up, well, they want to make sure you're not late!XDAnd of course they're royalty.

Well, cats are on a mission most of the time, when they're concentrating on their prey.

lolI just love when they get 'psychotic', it's so funny. They turn like into a rocket and VROOOOM, just run everywhere, and then stop for no reason, and just roll around on the floor. I've always admired the way they move. It's so majestic.

And they're hard to treat. Mine only took a tablet once, as soon as she felt the effect, she won't take anything from me anymore. So suspicious of me now.

That's just why Catwoman should have joined the cult in the Cat and the Cult. I know I would. Cats were worshipped in Ancient Egypt, they have never forgotten this, at least I think that's how the quote goes. And they really haven't.

 

[Perxio]

I'm a bad cat lover I guess. I don't have such a romantic view of cats. Only one of my cats is the "normal" "if you feed me, and I allow you to pet me" type. The others are different. One loves to eat, but loves to cuddle more. People don't believe me about it, either. Cats have that bad rap. Then there's the other who is a complete spazz. He'll break out running around the house for no apparent reason.

It's not surprising to me that there's such a variety of personalities with cats. It's like that with most animals. Not all dogs are like this, not all cats are like that, so on.