The domestic cat is a member of the Felidae, a family that has a common ancestor from about 10 to 15 million years ago.[27] The evolutionary radiation of the Felidae began in Asia during the Miocene around 8.38 to 14.45 million years ago.[28] Analysis of mitochondrial DNA of all Felidae species indicates a radiation at 6.46 to 16.76 million years ago.[29] The genus Felis genetically diverged from other Felidae around 6 to 7 million years ago.[28] Results of phylogenetic research shows that the wild members of this genus evolved through sympatric or parapatric speciation, whereas the domestic cat evolved through artificial selection.[30]

The genome sequence of the domestic cat was first published in 2007[31] and is available at the National Center for Biotechnology Information.[32] The domestic cat and its closest wild ancestor are diploid and both possess 38 chromosomes[33] and roughly 20,000 genes.[31] The cat genome sequence has been used for various purposes, including the study of cat migration patterns[34] and disease.[35][36]