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→Domestication and Early History
==Domestication and Early History==
Anatomically, it is difficult to distinguish wild and domestic cats. In fact, in early Neolithic societies even before 8000-7000 BC, it is possible or even likely wild cats or early domesticated cats would have lived in villages. They may have simply stayed near villages rather than been actively domesticated initially, which may explain why their anatomy has not changed. In effect, cats could have been one of these rare species that could have domesticated itself as it adapted to humans through its own choice.
One recent study has suggested that farming in China, by around 30000 BC, could have also led to the rise of domesticated cats. This could have been a second wave of domestication. Similar to the Middle East, cats may have simply hung nearby villages as they developed, where cats adapted themselves to villages. The presence of mice and rats, which would have been attracted to agricultural products produced in early villages, could have attracted cats to villages. In effect, a type of ecosystem of predators and prey developed around agricultural being brought in from fields.
==Rise of Cat Pets==
