We’ve all heard about how ancient Egyptians once worshipped cats. Felines had a special place in Egyptian culture, and you can see the importance of them being written and carved into numerous temples. Some were even mummified to help them pass on to the next life. With how much the Egyptian people loved cats, it’s great to know that there are several Egyptian breeds still around today.
There are dozens of cat breeds currently in the United States—so many that it can be a challenge to sort through them all. Those who are interested in breeds from Egypt might have a hard time finding one that is suitable for their home. In this article, we’ve put together a list of the most popular Egyptian cat breeds that people keep as pets.
The 7 Egyptian Cat Breeds
1. Chausie
Image Credit: Tania__Wild, Shutterstock
Lifespan
10–15 years
Temperament
Attentive, active, social
Colors
Black, tabby, grizzled tabby
The Chausie cat breed is one of the newer Egyptian breeds. They first made an appearance around 1995 and have had a slow growth in popularity. They only come in three different colors: black, tabby, and grizzled tabby. They are a very social breed and friendly towards both strangers and other pets.
2. Shirazi
Image Credit: Alena Stalmashonak, Shutterstock
Lifespan
12–16 years
Temperament
Social, affectionate, energetic
Colors
Blue, black, white, red
The Shirazi is an extremely cuddly feline and looks similar to a Persian cat. They have fluffy tails, furry bodies, and big round eyes. A lot of Shirazi owners claim to have one of the friendliest cat breeds in the world. You can expect a Shirazi to walk right up to a stranger and sit on their lap! These cats enjoy being warm and cozy, although they’re also happy to spend hours alone at times.
3. African Wildcat
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Lifespan
11–19 years
Temperament
Peaceful, independent, solitary
Colors
Grey, sandy brown
The African Wildcat might not be a domesticated animal, but it felt right to include them. These cats were used by Egyptians to create the domestic cats that we know and love today and they have been roaming Earth for nearly 10,000 years. They live solitary lives but are still peaceful animals. Most of these cats are sandy brown to resemble their surroundings.
4. Nile Valley Egyptian Cat
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Lifespan
10–20 years
Temperament
Variety
Colors
Standard, agouti, lybica
A more modern version of an ancient cat breed is the Nile Valley Egyptian cat. These cats are mostly feral in Egypt, and some people believe that they are thousands of years old. There are numerous colors and patterns available in the standard, agouti, and lybica categories.
The Savannah cat was created by mixing a domesticated cat with a Serval, another type of wildcat native to Africa. The breeders of these cats commonly use Persians, Bengals, and Chausies to create their unique markings. The temperament of these large cats can vary, but most are very loyal and affectionate with their owners. You do have to be careful with them because if they aren’t socialized from an early age, they can become fearful and aggressive towards strangers and other pets.
6. Abyssinian
Image Credit: Irina Grib, Shutterstock
Lifespan
10–15 years
Temperament
Affectionate, loving
Colors
Blue, fawn, sorrel, ruddy
Abyssinian cats are one of the oldest cat breeds in the world. These cats have short coats with a ticked pattern that makes them easy to recognize. They are wonderful family members with silly personalities. Even though they are the clowns in the family, they are also incredibly intelligent, and it is easy to teach them tricks or to come when you call their name.
7. Egyptian Mau
Image Credit: MDavidova, Shutterstock
Lifespan
12–15 years
Temperament
Intelligent, active, affectionate
Colors
Black, smoke, bronze, silver
One of the smaller cat breeds on our list is the Egyptian Mau. This breed is very popular throughout the world because of its unique spotted pattern. They like to stay active and spend a lot of their time chasing after toys and hunting anything they can. These cats are friendly and loyal, though they may be a handful for someone who was expecting a lazier breed!
Of all of the Egyptian cat breeds on this list, we’re sure that you can find one that is a good match for you. The Egyptian Mau and Abyssinian are the easiest to find, although it isn’t impossible to find the others. Any of these cats, aside from the African Wildcat, would make amazing pets with the right care and socialization.
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