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Cats May Have Been Domesticated Twice (sciencemag.org)
sciencehabit writes: Cats may have been domesticated twice, once in Turkey around 10,000 years ago, and again in Egypt, thousands of years later. That's the conclusion of a new genetic analysis of more than 200 ancient cats, including DNA extracted from Egyptian mummies. The scientists found evidence for an exodus of cats into the wider world from both ancient Turkey and ancient Egypt, but that these two waves of cats sported different genetic signatures. Whether or not the ancient Egyptians independently domesticated cats, their massive breeding programs appear to have further tamed the feline, turning cats from territorial and antisocial creatures into the lovable furballs we know today.
Then we should compare the love for cats in Muslim/Jewish communities with that in other, pork eating communities. If that parasite has any real influence, there should be a significant difference.
Just like humans they are very adaptive and able to change with their environment.
That's not my experience. Cats are bound to territories, while dogs are bound to the pack. The act of moving can push a cat into depression and behavioral problems, while a dog thrives on environmental changes, as long as the pack stays together.
I love cat "presents", because what they are saying with it is "you can't hunt for shit, but I like you, so here is some food so you don't starve".