Science · Grades 3–6
History of Cats
Reading comprehension lesson about the history of cats — from wild desert hunters to sacred animals in ancient Egypt to modern household pets.
Subject
Science
Grade Level
Grades 3–6
Resource Type
Worksheet
Access
Free lesson · PDF: Full Member
Reading Passage
History of Cats
The domestic cat has been living alongside humans for approximately 10,000 years — making it one of the oldest domesticated animals. The earliest evidence of cat domestication comes from the island of Cyprus, where a cat was found buried alongside a human in a grave dating to around 7500 BCE. Scientists believe cats first began associating with humans in the Fertile Crescent of the Middle East, where early farming settlements stored grain that attracted mice and rats, which in turn attracted wild cats.
In ancient Egypt, cats became sacred animals closely associated with the goddess Bastet, who was depicted with the head of a cat. Egyptians kept cats as household companions, valued them for protecting granaries from rodents, and treated them with great reverence. Killing a cat, even accidentally, could be punishable by death. When a household cat died, family members shaved their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. Thousands of cats were mummified as offerings to the gods.
As trade and exploration expanded, cats spread from Egypt and the Middle East throughout Europe, Asia, and eventually the Americas. Sailors kept cats aboard ships for rodent control, and cats traveled with explorers and colonists to nearly every corner of the world. During the Middle Ages in Europe, cats became associated with witchcraft and were sometimes persecuted — an attitude that contributed to rodent population explosions that helped spread the bubonic plague.
The deliberate selective breeding of cats for specific traits is a relatively recent development. Most of the cat breeds recognized today — including Persians, Siamese, and Maine Coons — were established in the 19th century. Today there are over 70 recognized cat breeds, though the vast majority of the world’s estimated 600 million domestic cats are mixed-breed or “alley cats.” Despite thousands of years of selective breeding, domestic cats have changed far less from their wild ancestors than dogs have from wolves.
Printable Worksheet
Printable PDF · 4 pages
History of Cats Reading Comprehension Worksheet
Nonfiction passage about the history of cat domestication, comprehension questions, and answer key. Printable PDF for classroom or home use.