In true feline form, cats aren't in a hurry to jump onto our laps.
According to one comprehensive study that looked at the spread of domesticated cats, DNA analysis suggests that these animals lived for thousands of years alongside humans before they were domesticated. During that time, their genes have changed little from those of wildcats, apart from picking up one recent "update": the distinctive stripes and dots of the tabby cat.
Since the moment they decided to join our households, felines have completely taken over our lives. In ancient Egypt, for example, people built cemeteries for them—Egyptians mummified their kitties and made statues for them that are exhibited in museum collections across the world to this day.
Of course, our life has changed dramatically during the last couple of millennia, but our love for cats has remained the same. Continue scrolling to check out this original Bored Panda list to learn why. When you go through the funny cat pictures we collected, fire up our similar publications dedicated to them here, here, and here.
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My Crush Just Told Me Over Text That It Was "Unmanly" For Men To Have A Cat. I Sent Her This
It is believed that cats started hanging around farming communities in the Fertile Crescent about 8,000 years ago, where they formed a mutually beneficial relationship with humans as their rodent patrol.
"Since domestic cats are remarkably similar to their wildcat ancestors, they retained a side to them that is fierce and elusive," Lucy Hoile, a Certified Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CCAB) who specializes in these animals told Bored Panda.
"However, they are surprisingly adaptable, living comfortable lifestyles in the most urban of areas and forming strong, affectionate relationships with the people they live with. These two features of the pet cat make them an enigma that is difficult to find with any other pet species."
This Could’ve Been An Email
Larry Good Cat
Some dog lovers might argue that cats are selfish and arrogant, but Hoile reassured us that felines are still living with us because they know we can provide them with significant benefits, and not just food and shelter.
"Cats will often form strong emotional attachments to their owners, identifying them as part of their social group through facial and body marking. Cat owners are now more than just bringers of tasty food and a warm bed!"
Caught This Absolute Angel Begging For Treats
Look At The Markings On This Cat
My black cat cricket just had 6 kits last week. One is black with and orangy head with a perfect black square on the right half of his face. I want to call him q-bert. (CUBE-bert)
If you've got a black and orange kitten, it's probably a "she"...
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I have never seen that before! How neat! I thought the pic was a cat outside while it was snowing lol.
Please tell me they named her Stars, or Connie - short for constellation.
I expect the kitty was completely black to start with - this looks like vitiligo. Shame though, I love the thought of the little cat being called freckles!
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I've only heard about 1 other cat with that color problem. WOW ❤️ Such an amazing color.
Not sure that is a cat, I'm thinkin' a new species? Reverse Leopard. . .? Black Fawn. . .?
Sad story: I had a black labrador with spots like that - because he was splattered with boiling oil as a puppy. Took a long time for the skin to recover. Most of the burned skin never grew hair back, but on some spots, he grew white dots. Looked like a "negative" Dalmatian. Still sad, because he suffered hell and blinded.
I hope this is just a beautiful pattern he happens to have ! We could me seeing spots that were either bleached or far worse it could be scarring sometimes if they have something happen that causes damage but the fur is able to grow back it comes back without pigment.
This is extremely rare cat. Once forbidden to write about in holy scriptures or somewhere. It's known in Slovaria as a spotted black scat. Know for there sweetness.
This cat's name should be: Orion, Galaxy, Midnight (I know), Galileo, or Hubs (short for Hubble)
Feline vitiligo. My black cat has it. He was born solid black and stayed that way until he was about 2. He started getting white dots of fur after that and was diagnosed with feline vitiligo. He's now 13 and handsome as ever
This cat looks like everything around the bleach bottle after my husband sets it down without the lid put back on.
The muzzle looks like Vitiligo, but the spots seems an unusual presentation.
Looks like there is always a disco ball somewhere near the cat and the spots are the reflection :D
I would be forever going to brush the dust off the cat before realising and stopping myself
The pattern of a spotted fawn, and the coloring of a reverse Dalmatian. This cat is cool.
That's incredible, I've never seen markings like those--snow cat indeed.
Omg, he looks like he roams a construction site. What a gorgeous cat!
Poor thing... those look like chemical burns from something splattering, probably years prior. Good that it didn't get into the eyes though at least
That's what I was going to say. Scars have white hair.
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I don’t think the cat has been sprayed with paint. It looks like s/he has vitiligo, which causes fur to turn white over time.
Load More Replies...And just because the average kitty sleeps around 16 hours a day, that doesn't mean they're lazy. They simply need to stay sharp!
"Being opportunistic hunters, they are built for short bursts of activity when prey presents itself," Lucy Hoile explained. "Periods of rest in-between are essential to conserve energy at other times of the day."
In fact, some of these furry critters (just like dogs) have no trouble earning their living through honest work. Just take a look at these bodega cats who keep convenience stores and corner shops pest-free!
Apex Predator
Close Enough
I Have A Question
Black Cat Kinda Sus
The Committee Against Vacuum Cleaners
Hi!
I Found This Little Boy In The Countryside, Alone. Initially He Was Scared, Now He Seems To Be Pretty Comfortable
Onwards, My Noble Steed!
Catflix And Chill
It's Joke?
She Didn't Like Her New Ears
"Describe Your Cat In One Picture"
A Motion Sensor Sign
Important Q
The one on the right is Alfred Hitchcock. The left could be Donald Trump. Which would drive him over the edge. If you play with the fur you could turn Don into Cary Grant.
What The Hex??!!
Halloween Costume Sorted
The Cat Burglar Has Struck Again!
Getting Head Is Best
Where Is The Syrup, Stanley?
The Way My Cat Sleeps
Behold The Glorious Whiskers Of Shoulder Cat
If You Can't Hide A Crime Scene, Just Pretend You Are A Victim
He Thinks He's Being Sneaky
These Rolls Are Homemade
How Could You Be Mad At Her With Eyes Like Those
"I Do Not See The Humor In This"
Upper cat is clearly contemplating the demise of lower cat aka googly cat.
Today I Was Extremely Sad And I Thought "I Can't Wait To Go Home And See My Cat, He Will Make Me Happy". Ok Well I Found Out He Was More Depressed Than Me
Proud Daddy With His New Litter
I’m Remodeling My Basement And All The Ceiling Tiles Were Just Removed. I Found My Cat Like This
If You Bite Me In The Face, You Get The Bowl!
The New Spiderman Movie Got Me Confused
I Found Our New Church
Wait...
Being Sexy For Ya
Yes, draw her like one of your French girls, she said pre-emptively
Delightful Cat Photos To Brighten Your Day
My Cat Is Sleeping Very Strangely...
When Your Cats Creates Gradient While They Eat
Jailed For Smol Crimes
College Life
Blursed_meeow
"Be There Or Be Square" Me:
I. I Don’t Even Know
Mieow Antoinette
Let Me In. Let Me In!
Bring your cat in at night simple. Step 1. . Call cats name to come in . Especially in cold weather ✋🙄
My Cat
I'm Beginning To Think We Might Have A Mouse
We Got Bored And Our Cat Is A Heavy Sleeper, So We Helped Him Live Up To His Nickname
It Takes 2 To Tango
Mexican Fighter Cat
Discovered Strange Marks On My Butter. My Suspect Is Not A Good Liar
Delightful Cat Photos To Brighten Your Day
I Can See U
Our Cat Isn't Happy About Our Door-Opening Response Time...
Sitting On Its Owner's Shoulders And Head During A Bus Journey In Lithuania
Noodle
Just Opened Up A Fresh Jar Of Cat
Toothy Blanket
My Cat Stanley Decided To Sit On My New Cat Harriet. I Have Only Had Her For Two Weeks And They Already Entertain Me Daily
Our Wedding Plans Changed And We Had A Small Covid Wedding At Home
"Sometimes It's Only Madness That Makes Us What We Are"
They’re All Making The Same Face
Mittens Is Refusing To Make Eye Contact With His Vet, Or The Room, Or Anything But My Armpit
That’s how I feel about life too, so don’t worry . It comes to us all eventually 🤷🏼♀️😂
Tent Cat
Croissant Cat
The Selfie King
That Face When You Start A New Job And Can’t Remember Anyone’s Name
Cat Refuses To Play With Anything... Until I Get A Bit Of String Out
"Hooman, You Go First"
They are part of the conspiracy. Waiting for you to start movin downstairs, and the moment you want to put your foot down they start walking right under it, causing you to want to move your foot to another place but alas, there's a cat there too, and by then you're on your way down reaaaallly fast...
We Keep One Cube Empty For Her
How Is She Real??
Sheer Coincidence
My Mom Received A Kitten From My Cats Litter. She Updates Me On His Shenanigans Often
Who's Your Worm Guy?
My Sisters Car
No More Math, Give Me Attention
He Falls Asleep Like This All The Time
Cat Flower
It Can Be Seen That He Is Very Tiring
How Many Meowgabytes Does It Hold?
You Seeing This
Tell Me Why This Is What I See When I Walk Into The Bathroom? Lol
Just My Neighbors Cat Taking Her Afternoon Nap
I have to admit I am friends with more dogs than cats, but dogs are more social. So the few cat friendships are special. These are not my cats btw, I can't imagine not being friends with your own cats.
Dogs are not more (or less) social, they are different in their social behavior.
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I have to admit I am friends with more dogs than cats, but dogs are more social. So the few cat friendships are special. These are not my cats btw, I can't imagine not being friends with your own cats.
Dogs are not more (or less) social, they are different in their social behavior.
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