Were Cats Originally Desert Animals? 

Mysterious Lineage of the Desert Animal, the Cat 

The question of how and when wild cats evolved into our current household pets was something science couldn’t detail until recently. There had been clues – like the mummified cats found in Ancient Egypt. 

Various Subspecies of the Wildcat 

However, the various regional subspecies of the wildcat are so similar to one another that tracing the exact lineage of our feline friends proved challenging. 

There are, for example, the Falbkatze (Felis silvestris lybica), the Steppe cat (Felis silvestris ornata), and the South African wildcat (Felis silvestris cafra). And so, there remained a longstanding mystery about where our furry companions came from. Were cats originally desert animals? 

Desert Cat: At Home in the Middle East 

A 2007 study provided crucial evidence regarding the origins of house cats. An international team of scientists carried out a comprehensive genetic comparison to unravel the puzzle of cat evolution. 

The result: The wild ancestors of all house cats lived in the deserts of the Middle East. Here, over 9,000 years ago, they began to associate with humans. Likely because these little hunters could catch plenty of mice in the humans’ grain storage areas. 

The Genetic Proof 

The researchers’ genetic analysis showed that the genetic material of our modern house cats bears the closest resemblance to that of the wild cats from the northern Arabian Peninsula. 

The wildcats still roaming the deserts of Israel, Saudi Arabia, and other neighbouring countries are thus the closest relatives of house cats. Evidently, cats were originally desert animals. 

Adapted to Life in the Desert 

The fact that their ancestors had to cope in a sparse environment is still evident in modern house cats. Most cats are averse to water: Only a few exceptions, like the Turkish Van breed, can appreciate a refreshing dip. 

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Natural Trick of the Desert Animal, the Cat 

Moreover, cats typically drink very little water. This is thanks to a trick nature equipped the desert animal, the cat, with. 

Using their intestines and kidneys, these four-legged creatures can reclaim a lot of water, meaning they rarely need to drink fluids. Consequently, their urine is highly concentrated, and their stools hard and dry. 

The Desert Cat’s Drinking Habit 

A healthy adult cat consumes only about 50 millilitres of fluid per kilogram of body weight daily. Some wild cats even meet their hydration needs entirely through their food, such as the blood of their prey. And many house cats prefer to lap up wet food rich in sauce rather than turning to their water bowl. 

Dehydration Can Lead to Kidney Problems 

Even if cats, as former desert dwellers, don’t need much water to survive, they should always have a full water bowl. Dehydration must be prevented even in an ex-desert inhabitant. 

If a cat drinks too little, it can overburden the kidneys. These organs must then compensate for the lack of fluids by reclaiming more water. This can lead to chronic kidney failure, which, if untreated, can be fatal. Not without reason are the kidneys considered a cat’s physical weak spot. 

Tips to Encourage Cats to Drink 

There are some tricks to encourage reluctant drinkers to hydrate. Some cats enjoy licking dripping taps, while others prefer stagnant water from puddles and ponds. 

Wet food with plenty of sauce or jelly, which can be further diluted with water, is also recommended. Many cat lovers have had positive experiences with drinking fountains. 

Early Detection of Diabetes 

Lastly, a small reminder: Monitoring your cat’s drinking habits can be beneficial for several reasons. This way you’ll notice not only if it’s drinking too little – but also if it suddenly drinks a lot more. 

This could also be a sign of (developing) kidney problems. And cats with diabetes also tend to visit their water bowl unusually often. Some diabetic cats may even drink from vases and watering cans to quench their thirst.