Cat Summary

Why has humanity gone from persecuting cats as creatures of witchcraft to embracing them as cherished companions? Let's unravel their fascinating journey.

1. The Evolutionary Journey of Cats

Cats have a lineage that stretches back 30 million years, beginning with Proailurus, a tree-dwelling feline weighing about 20 pounds. This ancestor had more teeth than today’s cats and a simpler brain. Over ten million years of evolution gave rise to Pseudaelurus, which had a sleeker body and teeth resembling modern cats.

Following Pseudaelurus, two paths emerged: the sabre-toothed cats, which unfortunately went extinct around 10,000 years ago, and Felinae, the true ancestors of today’s domestic cats. Close relatives of domestic cats, like the wildcat, have been around for two million years. However, humans didn’t start bonding with cats in a meaningful way until much later.

The concept of widespread domestication started relatively recently, around the eighteenth century. However, cats began cohabiting with humans as far back as ancient Egypt, evident in tomb wall paintings from 1450 BC. These images show cats as part of family life, sometimes depicted on leashes, highlighting an early pet-like relationship.

Examples

• Proailurus, the first known cat, lived millions of years ago, spending its time in trees.
• The wildcat, a close relative, has roamed the earth for approximately two million years.
• Ancient Egyptian tombs reveal cats depicted sitting with families or even leashed.

2. Cats Possess Remarkable Predator Traits

Cats are built to hunt, and their biology reflects this. Their eyes are highly adaptable, with pupils that adjust to all lighting conditions. Cats can hunt effectively in just one-sixth of the light humans need to see, allowing them to remain active at night.

Beyond sight, their ears act as highly sensitive radars. Cats can swivel their outer ears in various directions, pinpointing subtle sounds, such as the movements of a mouse in complete darkness. Hearing plays a massive role in their hunting success.

Finally, cats’ teeth are sharp and designed for trapping prey. Their canine teeth can paralyze smaller animals by clamping down between the vertebrae. Combined with their heightened senses, cats are truly extraordinary hunters.

Examples

• Cats can hunt in significantly lower light levels compared to humans.
• Their swiveling ears allow them to amplify faint sounds to locate prey.
• Razor-sharp canine teeth nullify even the smallest movement from their catch.

3. Cats Were Once Feared as Mystical Beings

In the past, societies often attached negative or superstitious beliefs to cats. Unlike other domesticated animals, cats’ aloof and independent nature made them seem strange and untrustworthy to people. This perceived mystery often led to fear.

In the sixteenth century, cats became associated with witchcraft in Europe. Their ability to appear and disappear unexpectedly fed into these fears. People believed that cats were companions to witches or even shapeshifting witches themselves. Owning a cat, especially if you interacted closely with it, could lead to accusations of witchcraft.

Horrific acts of cruelty followed this stigma. In France and other parts of Europe, cats were burned or hung in rituals believed to ward off evil spirits. Such practices continued through the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, highlighting the dark period in human-cat relationships.

Examples

• Cats’ self-reliance made them suspect in societies that valued obedience in animals.
• Elizabeth Morse was tried for allegedly transforming into a cat to harm her neighbor.
• Rituals in France involved burning cats to secure bountiful harvests.

4. Cats and Their Feminine Symbolism

Since the days of ancient Egypt, cats have been symbols of femininity. The goddess Bastet, who had the body of a woman and the head of a cat, embodied fertility, maternity, and beauty. Over time, these feline associations with women endured and expanded.

Artists have frequently used cats to represent femininity. For example, Francesco Bacchiacca’s sixteenth-century painting shows a young woman holding a cat, symbolizing emerging sexuality. The animal’s grace and independence mirror qualities culturally tied to femininity.

Separately, cats have carried associations with prostitution dating back to the 1400s. Known as “cats,” sex workers were linked to the animal’s cleanliness, self-grooming habits, and portrayal as both alluring and independent. This often derogatory comparison persisted due to cultural texts and portrayals.

Examples

• The Egyptian goddess Bastet, associated with sexuality and maternity, had feline features.
• Bacchiacca’s painting utilized the image of a cat as a metaphor for budding sexuality.
• Writers like Alphonse Toussenel continued comparing cats negatively to prostitutes.

5. The Independent Character of Cats is Now Admired

Cats have shed their historical baggage to become symbols of independence and self-sufficiency in modern times. Unlike dogs, which rely more heavily on human commands, cats are celebrated for their autonomy.

In the United States, efforts have even been made to replace “pet owner” with “guardian,” reflecting the belief that cats are sentient individuals, not property. This respect for feline independence reflects broader societal changes in how we relate to animals.

Writers have also captured this side of cats in literature, portraying them as intelligent and self-reliant creatures. For instance, Rudyard Kipling’s children’s tale, The Cat That Walked By Himself, highlights a cat’s cleverness and charm in securing a place in a human home.

Examples

• Changing “pet owner” to “guardian” shows growing respect for cats as autonomous beings.
• Cats’ independence has shifted from a source of suspicion to admiration.
• Kipling’s story portrays a cat using wit and charm to influence humans.

Takeaways

1. Appreciate your cat’s hunting instincts by providing enrichment toys that simulate prey-like movements—it’s in their DNA to stalk and pounce.
2. Celebrate a cat’s independence rather than expecting obedience—embrace their reclusive nature as part of their charm.
3. Read historical art or literature featuring cats to better understand their evolving roles in human culture, from divinity to companionship.