Cats may have been domesticated much later than we thought, with earlier members of the cat family being eaten or used as clothing.

Two new studies suggest that the domestication of cats occurred much more recently than previously thought. (Photo credit: Sherif A. Wagih/Getty Images)

The origins of domestic cats and their interactions with ancient humans are as mysterious as the creatures themselves. But scientists have now found new evidence to support the theory that these enigmatic felines were likely first domesticated in ancient Egypt, where they were revered as part of a cult — or elsewhere in North Africa.

Researchers already knew that modern domestic cats (Felis catus) descended from African wildcats (Felis lybica). But when and where these wild cats first began living alongside people remains a subject of intense debate.

Now, two studies published on the preprint server bioRxiv in March 2025 (meaning they have not yet been peer-reviewed) provide exciting new insights into how the world's second-most popular pet could have coexisted with humans and spread across the planet.

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