Formerly it was generally thought that our house cats were simply the progeny of tamed pairs of the European wildcat; but anatomy denied the probability of this, and historical investigation showed that they came from another source. Historical evidence, including innumerable mummies, shows that the cat was domesticated by the Egyptians and North-Africans before the time of the oldest monuments of their civilization.
Moreover, the characteristic specific markings of the caffrc cat (still wild as well as tame in the Nile Valley) reappear unmistakably in our common house cats. This has happened in spite of the fact that interbreeding with other species and various local races has intervened over time. The Mediterranean cat is a well-marked variety of this cat that was found anciently and even now in Syria and eastward. It has been established that many centuries before the Christian era the Egyptians, Cretans, Phoenicians and other men of the Levant were constantly voyaging all over the Mediterranean Sea and founding trading-posts on both its shores. There finally arose and spread the extensive civilizations of Greece and of Rome on the north and of Carthage on the sout.
When these explorers were spreading their colonies over vast areas, undoubtedly with them went their friendly and useful mousers. That they then were crossed somewhat with the native wildcat seems to be shown by the appearance of the peculiar form we call "tabby" cats. Briefly, this is the history of the common European house cat, whence have come, by emigration, those of America and most of the civilized world.
However, in the remote and isolated East, there exist many races of domesticated cats of more local origin. The late Professor G. Martorelli, of Milan, Italy, had made a special study of this whole subject and he had concluded that the ordinary domestic cat of India has descended from the Indian desert cat (Felis ornata). From it, he said, are derived their common spotted breed, while the fulvous breed seen in India has been produced by a cross with the native jungle cat (Felis chaus). Both these have interbred with the imported western cats in recent years.
The Persian or ''Angora" long-haired breeds may probably have come from Pallas' cat of central Asia; and the curious Siamese cat is regarded as derived from the golden cat. The intermingling accidentally, or by the design of breeders, of these various species and races has produced the bewildering variety of forms now seen.
There are so many varieties of cats that they must have originated from many different races and situations. Even today, professional breeders are developing new breeds of cats.
Keeping Cats as pets
The popularity of the cat, especially of pedigreed breeds, has continued to grow. The cat’s independent personality, grace, cleanliness, and subtle displays of affection have wide appeal. Typically, cats are creatures of habit; they are inquisitive, but not adventurous, and are easily upset by sudden changes of routine. The ideal household cat has been separated from its mother between the ages of two and four months, raised in a clean home, kept away from unhealthy animals, and inoculated against common infectious cat diseases. Although cats often enjoy the company of other cats, especially when raised together from kittenhood, introducing a strange cat to other cats in the home can cause stress, aggression, and other behaviour problems. Cats are generally less sociable than dogs, who more readily accept a new pack member.
A good disposition and good health are important criteria for choosing a cat. Disposition varies only slightly between male and female cats. There are, however, distinct differences in disposition among the various pedigreed varieties; the Siamese, for example, is vocal and demanding, while the Persian is quiet and fastidious. The mixed breed, or “alley” cat, is a heterogeneous breed of unknown lineage; therefore, its disposition is difficult to assess. By chance, the mixed breed may prove a happier and healthier pet than a pedigreed one. On the other hand, the behaviour and vigour of the direct ancestors of pedigreed cats are indicative of the characteristics the offspring will possess as adults. But, as with the propagation of purebred dogs, the proliferation of pedigreed cats has resulted in an increase in inherited diseases, a major reason many people prefer mongrels or mixed breeds.
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