Study of ancient and modern cat genomes reveals an unusual history

Couldn't be less alike. Only see willow when he wants feeding.

Ash is welded to my leg if I'm home.

Love them both.

My two cats actually "talk" a lot to each other, inviting to play, checking each other statuses or indicating their discontent if other is disturbing. Older cat was always making some sounds even when he's alone - he vocalizes just about everything - even jumping down from a chair. Another cat was silent when we've adopted him, but learned to "talk" in a few months, from the older one. That's not exactly meowing - but they're making all sort of sounds. While there's usually a human around, they "talk" to each other even when they're alone.

And I heard two wildcats actually meowing loudly, in deep voices at each other, as they were about to fight. Don't think they were forewarning humans to step aside. ;)

The meowing is learned behavior. We humans tend to like the meowing and not notice much of the body language, so grown cats, who are raised around humans, meow for us. Feral housecats - like the ones living in barns or otherwise have little to no contact with humans - don't tend to meow into adulthood. These are genetically identical to our housecats.

That said, the wife breeds Berger blanc suisse dogs and I've had a front row seat to lots of things. it's sad how bad some breeders are.

And you can think of many ways to improve cats: adaption to dry carb-rich kibble which is the cheapest and most convenient food, to reduce obesity; reducing scratching and urination impulses, the former of which is responsible for the perceived need for 'declawing'; better social skills for understanding humans, trainability, and getting along with other cats and pets; resistance to common domestic cat diseases like FIV, feline lukemia etc.; maintenance of juvenile curiosity/adaptability over loner parts of the lifespan (old cats getting fixed in their ways is a serious behavioral problem)... A breeder's job is never done.