Domesticated cats have lived with humans for over 10,000 years, originally in the Fertile Crescent region. They have soft fur, retractable claws, and have been kept as both outdoor pets and for catching mice. The most popular breeds of house cats in the US include the Persian, Maine Coon, American Shorthair, Siamese, and Abyssinian. While cats provide companionship, exercise, and can be nurturing, they require supplies like food, water, a litter box and collar, and their behaviors like scratching, shedding, and hunting can sometimes be cons.