Cats are believed to have entered the U.S. by ship in the early 1600s. At the time, they were known as ship cats and had gained fame for being deadly killers of pesky rats and rodents. Colonists used them to protect their limited food supplies and the ship crew from vermin and diseases. When Christopher Columbus sailed from Europe and discovered America, the cats on his ship went ashore and multiplied.
Cats and Americans are like a match made in heaven. Incredibly, they didn’t exist in the New World before Columbus. Today, they are the second most common pet in the country, and their numbers clocked over 74 million in 2012.1
Are you curious about the history of cats in America? Read on for in-depth details of how cats crossed the ocean blue, became domesticated, and now sit in our homes and on our laps.
The Earliest Record of Cats in America
Cats are a predatory species that was human-introduced into America. Contrary to popular belief, they are not native to North America. Their ancestors were wild species (Felis silvestris) native to Africa and Europe. It was not until the early 1600s that they came into the country by ship.
Legend states that early colonists, including Christopher Columbus, sailed from Europe into the New World with “shipcats”. At the time, shipcats had gained status for being very good at their job of getting rid of rodents.
Early colonists saw the benefit of making the most of their hunting skills. They welcomed them into their ships and used them for pest control and protecting their food supplies during voyages. Sometimes, they also used their fur to make clothing.
The goal of the colonists was to explore new lands and conquer them. As such, voyages were one-way trips. When the ships got to America, the people and cats aboard got off and built small villages and port cities.
Cats in the New World
Cats and humans formed a mutually beneficial relationship right from the onset. Humans gave them special treatment and made them an important part of the ship crew. In return, cats protected their food supply and reduced the risk of diseases spread by rodents. As industrious creatures, it’s no surprise that cats pounced at the opportunity to explore the new world along with humans.
Early colonists were quick to form rural settlements throughout North and South America. Cats tagged along with them, although they were merely rodent hunters. The abundance of food and the better living conditions made them increase in size by up to 16%!
Domestication of the Cat in America
Even though cats played a vital role in getting rid of rodents, it took centuries for them to be domesticated. Early settlers in North and South America still considered them “work animals” as opposed to pets. In fact, the United States Army hired cats long before they employed dogs. Wild cats were used throughout the 19th century to protect the commissaries from vermin and diseases.
The transition from wild cats to domesticated felines happened slowly over a couple of centuries. Cats domesticated themselves around the early 20th century by proving helpful in protecting food rations within homesteads. By 1920, even U.S. president Calvin Coolidge had a cat, although it roamed the white house freely. It was free to come and go, and no one thought of confining it indoors.
Soon, a few creative folks started inviting cats indoors. Word spread about their pleasant companionship, and more people were accommodative of the idea. By the end of World War I, most folks in the U.S. accepted cats as house pets.
Cats Today
Today, cats are some of the most popular indoor pets in America. Their popularity is steadily on the rise as more people opt for “fur babies” instead of actual children.
There are approximately 90 million domestic cats in America, and about 3.4 million are in animal shelters waiting for adoption. Their population and increased popularity have resulted in a thriving cat toy industry that had an estimated value of US$ 951 million in 2022!
FAQs
When Did Indoor Cats Become Popular in America?
The indoor cat is a modern phenomenon, even in America. Even though cats were first brought to America during the 1600s, it was not until the 20th century that folks warmed up to the idea of keeping them as indoor companions. Ed Lowe, an American businessman and entrepreneur, made the transition much easier and kickstarted the indoor cat trend after inventing ‘kitty litter’ in 1940.
What Is the Difference Between “Shipcats” and Domestic Cats?
Genetically, there is a minimal difference between wild shipcats and our domestic cats. They share up to 95.6% of their DNA, and scientists claim that their difference in temperament was mainly caused by changes in their living conditions. Also, studies show that stray cats from more comfortable settings can turn feral if exposed to a more demanding environment for extended periods.
Did Cats in America Go Through a Dark Period During the Salem Witch Trials?
During the Salem Witch Trials of 1692, it was believed witches owned animal familiars that did their evil bidding. They allegedly rode animals like cats, dogs, cows, and pigs to their witch meetings and attacked innocent villagers with strange illnesses and misfortune. Luckily, no cats were killed during the trials, although 25 people and two dogs, unfortunately, lost their lives.
Final Thoughts
Before Christopher Columbus sailed the ocean blue in the 1600s, no cats existed in America. The only wild cats that roamed around were mountain lions and panthers!
Today, it’s hard to imagine life without our feline companions. Census data shows steady growth in the estimated number of cats in rural and urban settings. From about 30 million cats in the 1970s to roughly 60 million in 1990, America today boasts over 90 million felines, without counting free-ranging cats.
A lot has changed throughout history. Still, one thing has remained constant: the mutually beneficial relationship between cats and humans!
Featured Image Credit: Nikiforov Alexander, Shutterstock
