How treats and tummy rubs tamed the wildcat: Researchers discover the genetic changes in pet cats – but admit they are …

Researchers found genetic changes behind domestication Say reward seeking areas were the most changed from wildcats Say changesoccurredfar more quickly than in dogs Cats particularly good at picking up pheromone scents to find mates Team sequenced a domestic female Abyssinian cat named Cinnamon

By Mark Prigg for MailOnline

Published: 19:39 EST, 10 November 2014 | Updated: 19:50 EST, 10 November 2014

Researchers have uncovered the genetic changes that turned the wildcat into a pet.

Cats and humans have shared the same households for at least 9,000 years, but researchers say they knew very little about how they became domesticated.

The researchers compared the genomes of domestic cats and wild cats, finding specific regions of the domestic cat genome that differed significantly.

Cats have a relatively recent history of domestication compared with dogs; canines arose from wolves over 30,000 years ago, while cats have only been domesticated for 9,000 years.

The researchers compared the genomes of domestic cats and wild cats, finding specific regions of the domestic cat genome that differed significantly.

The scientists found changes in the domestic cat's genes that other studies have shown are involved in behaviors such as memory, fear and reward-seeking.

These types of behaviors particularly those when an animal seeks a reward generally are thought to be important in the domestication process.

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How treats and tummy rubs tamed the wildcat: Researchers discover the genetic changes in pet cats - but admit they are ...