Is A Cat A Feline Or Canine Companion?

Are cats considered part of the canine family? While cats and dogs share a common ancestry within the Carnivora order, their evolutionary paths diverged approximately 42 million years ago. This divergence led to two distinct groups: feliforms, which encompass cats, hyenas, and mongooses, and caniforms, a more diverse category including not only dogs but also raccoons and walruses. This separation in their evolutionary history has resulted in the remarkable diversity we see within the animal kingdom today, where cats and dogs have evolved into separate branches with unique characteristics and behaviors.

The question of whether humans share more genetic similarities with felines or canines is an intriguing one. Humans are classified as vertebrates within the Hominidae family, but when comparing our genetic makeup, it’s interesting to note that we are more closely related to felines than canines. A study has revealed that humans share approximately 90% of their genes with cats, showcasing a remarkable genetic affinity. In contrast, the genetic similarity between humans and dogs is slightly lower, at 84%. It’s important to note that when considering our closest relatives within the animal kingdom, chimpanzees take that honor as they share the most recent common ancestor with humans. This information sheds light on the complex web of genetic relationships that bind humans with various species in the animal kingdom.