Who did humans tame first: cats or dogs? - briefly
The process of domestication for both cats and dogs began around 15,000 years ago. However, dogs were likely tamed first, with evidence suggesting they were domesticated from wolves approximately 15,000 to 40,000 years ago, while cats were domesticated from wildcats about 10,000 years ago.
Who did humans tame first: cats or dogs? - in detail
Humans first domesticated dogs, not cats. The process of dog domestication began approximately 15,000 years ago during the last Ice Age. Archaeological evidence suggests that early humans likely adopted wolf pups, which gradually evolved into the domestic dogs we know today through selective breeding and genetic changes over time.
In contrast, cats were domesticated much later, around 10,000 years ago in the Fertile Crescent region of the Middle East. The process involved farmers who sought to control pests, particularly rodents that threatened their grain stores. Wildcats, which were attracted to these areas for food, began to associate with humans and eventually became domesticated through a similar process of selective breeding.
The difference in timing and the initial reasons for domestication are significant. Dogs were initially domesticated as companions and working animals, assisting early humans in hunting and protecting their communities. Cats, on the other hand, were domesticated primarily to control pests, with a secondary benefit of companionship developing over time.
Moreover, the genetic evidence supports this chronology. Studies of mitochondrial DNA have shown that dogs have a more diverse genetic background than cats, indicating an earlier and more complex domestication process. This diversity is likely due to the broader geographical range and varied roles dogs played in early human societies.
In conclusion, while both dogs and cats hold significant places in human history and culture, it is clear that humans first domesticated dogs. The reasons for this initial domestication differed between the two species, with dogs serving as companions and working animals, and cats primarily as pest controllers.