History About Cats

It seems weird that over centuries ago, cats were never considered as part of our lives. No one bothered to take notice or even blink an eye as to their history. With or without help, they could still survive on their own.

That was until agriculture came about and changed everything.

Agriculture resulted in numerous farms growing vegetables, grains and fruits. When unattended by careless farmers, they attracted rodents, rats and mice. When the situation got out of hand, cats were bought to help solve this problem by getting rid of those pests.

Prior to that, it was discovered that cats have a knack of dealing with those pests as among their favourite meals and their skill was secondary to none.

According to Wikipedia, agriculture originated in Middle East and gradually spread to Turkey and Egypt.

It is from those areas where the African wild cats Felis Libyca live. Compared to normal cats, they are much bigger and yellow in colour with muted strips. They have a docile and laid back nature. If anyone looked at them from distance, they would assume them to be cheetahs or leopards.

It is interesting to know that cats still survive and hunt near human dwellings. As a result, the hunters soon became hunted as civilians there began catching and rearing them as their pets. When they grow older, they behave very much like normal cats.

But Felis Libyca remains the principal foundation for current cats in the way they acted and behaved. Especially their hunting instincts for mice which served the purpose of their owners so well in protecting their farms and land.

By 6000 BC, cats had clearly gained popularity in their affection with humans since agriculture was the only thing that connected them both by chance.
The Romans spread the news of cats into central Europe and United Kingdom after the rise of their empire. Cats were given a higher status as palace guards due to their excellent hunting instincts and skill.

They were also used as both rodent hunters and pets by Vikings. And even more so when their goddess Freyja had an infatuation with cats due to their cute and furry appearance.

But the same could not be said during the Middle Ages. By some superstitution and unfounded beliefs, they were perceived as witches in collaboration with the Devil and killed during the ritual festivals. Their execution was quite brutal as they were either burnt alive or hurled off from tall buildings.

As a result, the Europeans paid heavily for their cruel and senseless acts. Without cats, the rodents soon gained control in numbers and killed many of the Europeans through sheer infections.

In Asia, cats continued to serve their purpose as hunters and pets. Loved and cherished by the Buddhists, Christians and Muslims.

The history about cat remains a fascinating tale worth sharing with both adults and children due to its extraordinary personality and potential.