History of Cats

House cats, farm cats and feral cats are all members of the species Felis catus. Domestic cats are valued by humans for their companionship and their ability to kill rodents. Cats have been around for thousands of years and have had a close relationship with humans since ancient times.

The Egyptians were some of the first people to appreciate the companionship of cats. They believed that the goddess Bastet protected them and their homes, and that cats were sacred animals. The Egyptians often adorned their cats with jewelry and elaborate costumes, and they even mummified them when they died.

Cats played an important role in Egyptian society and culture. They were used as symbols of good luck and fertility, and people believed that they brought happiness and good fortune to their homes. In fact, the ancient Egyptians considered cats to be so important that they even named a month after them- the month of Thoth, which is typically abbreviated as “Mewt” in Arabic.

The close relationship between cats and humans continued long after the fall of the Egyptian Empire. Cats were brought to other parts of the world by traders and travelers, and they eventually became popular household pets. Today, there are estimated to be more than 600 million cats around the world. Thanks to their long history with humans, cats continue to play an important role in many cultures and societies.