🔗Allie Cat Allies - The History of the Domestic Cat
- This explains how cats first began living alongside humans roughly 10,000-12,000 years ago, when early agriculture created rodent-rich environments that attracted wildcats. It highlights how this mutually beneficial relationship gradually shaped the behavior and traits of today’s domestic cats.
🔗National Geographic - "When did cats become domesticated? New DNA evidence changes the story."
- National Geographic reviews new genetic research showing that the ancestors of modern domestic cats originated in North Africa and reached Europe much more recently than once believed. The article emphasizes how slowly cats changed during domestication, retaining many traits of their wild ancestors.
🔗Smithsonian Magazine - "A Brief History of House Cats"
- This article traces human-cat interactions from ancient agricultural settlements to global households today, noting that archaeological evidence makes it difficult to distinguish early domestic cats from wild ones. It also explores how cats’ roles shifted from rodent control to cherished companions over thousands of years.
🔗Smithsonian Magazine - "How Cats Conquered the World"
- Drawing on nearly 9,000 years of feline DNA, this piece traces the spread of domestic cats from the Middle Eastern wildcat across Europe, Africa, and Asia. The findings show that cats expanded their range by traveling with humans, first as pest managers and later as beloved pets.
🔗University of Missouri - Feline Genetics & Comparative Medicine Lab
- This research lab focuses on mapping the domestic cat genome to better understand inherited traits, coat colors, and genetic diseases. Their work contributes to improved veterinary care and supports comparative research that links cat genetics to broader biomedical discoveries.