Egyptian cat breeds trace their origins back thousands of years, sharing a close bond with ancient Egyptians throughout their history.
Cats are featured prominently across ancient Egyptian culture, depicted in hieroglyphics and artworks, while there is also evidence of mummified cat remains.
In ancient Egypt, cats were revered pets, known for bringing luck and protection to their owners. People would dress them in fine jewels and generally treat them to a life of luxury – just cat owners of today!
There are various theories about the origins of domesticated Egyptian cats. Most believe they come from crossbreeding wild cats with early domesticated cats. Years of breeding and domestication have resulted in various breeds that we know and love today.
Some of the oldest cat breeds originate from Egypt, many of which are found in homes across the United States. However, with so many species of cat native to the US, identifying Egyptian cat breeds isn’t always easy!
Are Egyptian Cat Breeds Easy to Find?
Here in the US, it’s not always easy to find an Egyptian cat breed. This is because we have so many native breeds here that it’s unlikely to find an exotic Egyptian cat.
However, like any exotic pet species, it is certainly possible to find an Egyptian cat outside of Egypt. Just bear in mind that they are likely to cost more than your average US cat breed, so they don’t come cheap.
Thankfully, Egyptian cats are fantastic pets, offering the same love, affection, and quirkiness as most other breeds. Most of the breeds featured in the list share similar characteristics to most other domesticated cats. They are kind, caring, affectionate, and often quite aloof.
Because Egyptian cat breeds tend to have a more exotic appearance, many people around the world want to own one. There’s a sense of royalty to these beautiful cats – it is no surprise ancient Egyptians viewed them so highly!
So, if you’re interested in an Egyptian cat, here are some notable breeds to look out for:
Chausie
While Egyptian cat breeds are generally much older than other breeds, the Chausie is a relatively newer breed. They originated from breeding domesticated cats with a wild jungle cat from the Nile Delta.
Felis chaus is the Latin term for jungle cat, which is where this domesticated crossbreed gets the name Chausie from. The Felis chaus jungle cats featured prominently in ancient Egyptian culture, appearing on artworks, while their preserved remains were discovered in various temples.
First identified in 1995, the Chausie comes in three distinct colors – black, brown tabby, and grizzled tabby. There are additional colors available outside these three main colors, although they are not considered breed standard.
The Chausie is a very social cat, showing plenty of love and affection to its owners. They are an active breed that enjoys lots of attention, making them a good choice for families.
African Wildcat
We are technically cheating by including the African wildcat in this list, as it’s not a domesticated breed from Egypt. However, it’s worth including the African wildcat because of the important role it played in the domestication of cats.
Ancient Egyptians bred African wildcats over 10,000 years ago, starting the domestication process that resulted in our lovable pet cats. The breed is native across all of Africa, found in mountainous and desert landscapes, living a mostly solitary life.
Because it’s a wild animal, this cat doesn’t make for a great house pet!
They do closely resemble their domesticated cousins in size and color, featuring brown-grey coats to help blend into the environment.
Shirazi
The Shirazi is an Egyptian cat breed with various similarities to the Persian cat, including long hair and a round face. It’s thought that the Shirazi was bred in a time when Egypt belonged to the Persian empire.
Their faces are very expressive thanks to their beautiful big eyes, helping them to show plenty of affection.
The breed is widespread throughout Egypt. You don’t need to travel far to find a Shirazi exploring the streets or lounging in the sun!
If you want a cat breed that loves attention, then look no further than the Shirazi. This breed adores being around people – it’s one of the friendliest cat breeds around.
They love nothing more than to sit on your lap and get lots of love and affection. However, it also means you shouldn’t leave them alone for too long!
Shirazi comes in various colors, including blacks, whites, and dark reds. Their long hair requires some minor grooming to keep nice and clean, with shampooing recommended every few weeks.
Nile Valley Egyptian Cats
The Nile Valley Egyptian Cat is considered one of the oldest breeds from Egypt. However, there is some controversy surrounding the breed, with many considering them nothing more than domesticated feral cats.
Conversely, many consider them the same breed as the Egyptian Maus, one of the more beloved domesticated cats. However, they aren’t officially identified as the same breed as the Egyptian Maus. Instead, they’re identified as an experimental breed.
They do have a diverse range of colors and temperaments, so there isn’t much standardization for the breed. Some notable colorations include agouti (a grayish brown) and lybica (sandy brown/yellow).
Sadly, their status as an unofficial breed and general presence as feral cats mean they aren’t the most beloved cat. As a result, there are various attempts within Egypt to destroy the breed. Thankfully, there are many people fighting to save the beautiful Nile Valley Egyptian Cat
Savannah Cat
The Savannah cat is bred from both the domesticated cat and the wild Serval cat, the latter native to Egypt. Various domesticated breeds are used to create the Savannah cat, such as the Chausie, an Egyptian cat breed featured above. It may also be bred from the Persian cat or the Bengal cat.
Because there are various breeds used to create the Savannah cat, it comes with unique colors and patterns depending on its origins. Also, the use of the Serval wildcat means it retains a wild appearance, giving it an alluring appearance.
Furthermore, because so many breeds are used to create this cat, their temperament varies depending on their parents. Some are friendly and outgoing, while others are more reserved. In any case, a Savannah cat is always known for its loyalty and close connection with its owner.
Socialization is also important for a Savannah cat. Socializing them from an early age ensures they don’t become scared or aggressive towards strangers.
Savannah cats are one of the largest of domesticated cat breeds, weighing up to 25lbs.
Egyptian Mau
Known for its beautiful spotted fur, the Egyptian Mau is one of the most popular Egyptian cat breeds in the world. Their origins date back thousands of years to ancient Egypt, with evidence of similar cats in ancient texts and artworks.
This breed is on the smaller side, with their natural spotted fur making them resemble a miniature version of a large wild cat. They are far from wild though, being incredibly affectionate and active around their home.
They love playing for hours on end, running around at high speeds when excited. In fact, the Egyptian Mau reaches speeds of up to 30mph – so make sure they don’t escape!
Also, the Egyptian Mau has a reputation as one of the most talkative cat breeds around. They make all kinds of cute and adorable noises, often sounding like they are singing a little song.
Abyssinian
The Abyssinian is a domesticated cat that likely originate from ancient Egypt, due to its resemblance to the African wildcat.
It’s one of the oldest breeds of domesticated cats, originally brought to the UK from Africa. It was in the UK that the modern breed we know today was created.
This beautiful cat breed is known for its striking appearance, featuring pointed ears and a vibrant ticked coat. Their fur comes in various colors and tones including reds, blues, and yellows.
Despite appearing like a wildcat, the Abyssinian has all the traits of a domesticated cat. For instance, it loves to play around, receive plenty of affection, and generally be cute and quirky.
Also, this cat is high intelligence, being great at solving puzzles. This also means they may get up to some mischief, like opening doors or accessing places where they shouldn’t be!
Conclusion
As the list above shows, there are many beautiful Egyptian cat breeds that make great pets. They have an exotic appearance that makes them stand out from other domesticated cats while being just as loveable.
Some breeds, such as the Abyssinian and Egyptian Mau are easier to find than others. However, it’s possible to find every domesticated cat mentioned in the above list right here in the US. Plus, their care requirements are the exact same as other domestic cats,
So, if you’re looking for a furry feline companion with an exotic touch, look no further than seven of these Egyptian cats! They’re not just great pets but also guaranteed to impress anyone visiting your house.