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Why were early cats attracted to human settlements in the Middle East?
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cats as pets
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Early cats were attracted to human settlements in the Middle East primarily due to the origins of agriculture approximately 15,000 to 10,000 years ago.1
As humans transitioned from hunter-gatherer lifestyles to farming, they began storing grain, which attracted rodents. These rodents provided a consistent and accessible food source for wildcats, drawing them into human environments. This interaction created a mutually beneficial relationship: humans required protection for their crops and stored food, while cats sought out the abundant prey found near human settlements. Over time, this association evolved from simple pest control into a partnership, eventually leading to the domestication and companionship of cats as they spread globally.12