While there is some debate about the exact timeline, it is generally accepted that dogs were domesticated around 15,000-20,000 years ago, whereas cats were domesticated around 9,500-10,000 years ago.
Here's a brief overview of the evidence:
* Dogs: Archaeological evidence suggests that dogs were domesticated from wolves in Eastern Europe or Central Asia. Early human settlements show signs of dog remains alongside humans, indicating a close relationship.
* Cats: Cats were domesticated from the African wildcat in the Near East. Evidence points to the early farming settlements in the Fertile Crescent as the origin of cat domestication.
Therefore, dogs have a longer history of domestication than cats.