Can you guess what Maine Coon, Chartreux, Selkirk Rex, Ragdoll, and Manx are? If you answered cat breeds, you’re right!
In the United States, more than 25% of households own cats. According to AVMA or the American Veterinary Medical Association, there are more than 58 million cats in the United States, making them the second most popular pet in American households. Worldwide, estimates vary. Data shows that there are more than 480 million stray cats and 220 million owned cats worldwide as of 2021.
So when were cats first domesticated? It is thought that cats have been companions to men as far back as 8000 years ago. Archeological finds give clues to people and cats coexisting together in Cyprus. Many believe that cats actually domesticated themselves. When people from ancient civilizations gave up their nomadic ways and started to till the land, cats probably scavenged for food and also fed on rats that damaged crops and carried diseases. This relationship benefits both sides, and historians believe this is how cats started to inhabit people’s homes and become beloved pets. If people today have luxury cars or bags as status symbols, for the ancient Egyptians, it was having a cat. Cats in ancient Egypt were revered and sometimes even adorned with gold jewelry by their owners.
This International Cat Day, why not pamper your furry feline friends? Make sure your purr-fect pets get the best food served in this Frost Buddy® Buddy Bowl. Call us to order today!