Why cats never became man’s best friend

[ashling]

“Cats, unlike dogs, are really only semi-domesticated,” says Wes Warren, professor of genetics Washington University and co-author of the first complete mapping (paywall) of the house cat genome—specifically, that of an Abyssinian named Cinnamon.

Comparing the DNA differences between house cats and wild cats, Warren and his colleagues found that where the genes of domesticated kitties and wild cats diverge has to do with fur patterns, grace, and docility. The latter are the genes that influence behaviors such as reward-seeking and response to fear.

...

This indicates only a modest influence of domestication on cat genes, compared with dogs, say the researchers. In fact, according to recent research on canine genomes, dogs became man’s best friend back when humans were still hunting and gathering—between 11,000 and 16,000 years ago. Their typically more omnivorous diets evolved as human lifestyle shifted toward agrarian living.
So why have kitties stayed wilder? The genome-mappers theorize it’s because house cat populations have continued to interbreed with wild cats. Also, humans’ “cat fancy”—meaning, our fanaticism about creating weird cat breeds—only began in the last 200 or so years.

They came for the mice, stayed for the food scraps, and whenever it suited, kept cuddly with the cats from the other side of the granary. In other words, not only are cats still mostly wild, but they pretty much tamed themselves. Maybe that means humans are “cats’ best friend

http://qz.com/295457/why-cats-never-became-mans-best-friend/?utm_source=huffingtonpost.com&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=pubexchange

[shenmue]

1. Hoomin bring fud

Is way of wurld.

[Arugula Latte]

2. Okay, then, they're women's best friend -- mine especially!

[Skittles]

3. that's the thing about cats - they're like having a piece of the wild in your home

I think people who don't like cats just don't like animals who won't service them in some way

[love_katz]

4. I read something like your comment many years ago in a book about cats.

Can't remember the title of the book, but I do remember the author's comment.

She said, " In my experience, people who don't like cats are usually little Hitlers."

[LWolf]

8. Yes.

People I've met who don't like cats usually have something to say about them not "learning," not being "trainable," not being, in other words, submissive.

Like some men feel about some women.

[jrandom421]

17. My Favorite Quote on the Subject

" God made the cat in order that humankind might have the pleasure of caressing the tiger."
- Fernand Mery

[Skittles]

18. all I know is that when my cat hisses at me

he is NOT my friend

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

19. That's what happens when you try to kick a cat's ass.

YES INDEED!

[raven mad]

5. Yep.

Mama of 5 rescues here!

[Tom Kitten]

6. I love cats and dogs

I pretty much like all animals (well except fleas and roaches, mosquitoes and their ilk)

My best friend was Felix. He was a cat I had for 18 years and he was happy I rescued him from eating out of dumpsters and getting rid of his fleas and tapeworms. He knew what time I got off work and every evening, when I turned the corner walking home from the bus stop, there he'd be, walking down the sidewalk to greet me.

[narnian60]

10. You sound like my kind of person.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

12. probably the fave of all my many cats was Sputnik;

a middle aged rescue who got a second lease on life with us. He was big, tough, fearless but had a heart of gold and a sort of wisdom that brought order and respect to the other cats, and our 3 big dogs. But along with that, he knew what we did for him, and he was forever grateful. I still miss him.

[blackcrowflies]

14. Tom Kitten

More than once I have said, "I like all animals except cockroaches and most primates."

[raccoon]

7. Cats are difts from Dod. nt

[angstlessk]

9. I lived in a second floor apartmen in VA during a very hot summer

I sat on my sofa watching teevee with a fan directed at me...3 cats lived in my apartment with me...and they would walk close to the wall and cause the plug to the fan to 'disengage' (it was loose)...they did this..maybe 3 times a night for more than one night (maybe a week?)...it seemed 'on purpose'..but of course they were 'just cats'..

For their cooling off,(they were panting and lethargic) I removed the vegetable bins from the fridge and put each cat in the fridge to cool off..after a few seconds they would cool, but instead of acting as I thought they should, lay about and enjoy their coolness, they immediately ran from the fridge, and all around the apartment...till they were panting and lethargic

Oh, I love cats...and have loved at least 4 dogs...2 I loved more than any person I knew

[Bosonic]

11. Dogs have skillz

[smirkymonkey]

13. Dog lover here.

They are so sweet and cuddly when they spoon with you in bed!

[Arugula Latte]

16. The same can be said for my three kitties.

I've had many, many cats and the vast majority have been very affectionate and loving. Plus they purr, they're softer than dogs, and they don't bark.

[lastlib]

15. nah, humans aren't their friends--they're just staff.

[gladium et scutum]

21. An old friends comment

Dogs have masters, cats have staffs.

[alarimer]

20. My cat has to be in the same room as me nearly all the time.

He is very affectionate (when he wants to be and often when it is inconvenient).

Yes, he may be "wilder" but he useless at even catching bugs.

Although he has now figured out how to open the front door if it is not locked securely.