Were cats domesticated in Egypt?

Cats may be the most popular pet in the world; they are valued by humans for their companionship and their ability to hunt; the domestic cat hunts and eats over a thousand species. Cats may express affection towards their masters, especially if the pets were treated with consistent affection at a very young age. It was believed that cats had been domesticated in ancient Egypt. The first domesticated cats may have saved early Egyptians from many rodent infestations and likewise and it was the reason to make the cat a cult animal. Several ancient religions even believed that cats are exalted souls. But recent study tells that African Wildcats self-domesticated in the Near East much earlier.

The general anatomy of a cat

Cats can be of different sizes, their weight is typically between 2,5 and 7kg, though overfed cats can weigh twice or three times bigger.

Their specialized teeth can shear meat like a pair of scissors and the tongue with sharp spines easily rip flesh from a carcass.

A cat can move each ear independently of the other and it allows the cat to catch any slight sound coming from anywhere. Highly advanced hearing helps the cat to hunt.

allows the silent stalking of prey.

Their rather loose skin allows them to turn easily and to fight with other cats.

A domestic cat's sense of smell is about fourteen times as strong as a human's because of dozens of movable whiskers over their body, especially their face.

They have some feelings which help them to predict earthquake.

Cats conserve energy by sleeping more than most animals, especially as they grow older.

What can they learn?

Lots of times you saw little kittens playing alone or with each other, as cats are hunters this love of play helps them to learn how to stalk, capture and kill prey. They like to play with balls, pieces of rope or any other things which are moving. Hunting instincts direct their motions. They can be trained some simple commands and some cats even can lean to manipulate simple mechanisms; to open the door hanging on the door handle. Cats are considered to be the cleanest pets and it is one of the reasons why they are so popular. They groom themselves by licking their fur and can be taught to use a special place for a cat toilet. To keep such an animal home you have to teach the cat how to hook its front claws into a specially made surface in order to clean the claws and stretch their muscles. Otherwise it can find the surface for scratching by itself and it may be your favorite armchair. Cats often damage furniture if they are not taught in time. Remember that even declawed cats will go through scratching routines because scratching is effectively a part of marking territory.

Though cats are very independent animals but once you decided to have a cat pet you always have to keep in mind that you are responsible for this little lovely fur creature.