Table of Content
Egyptian Cat The Ancient Pharaoh Breed
What is the Egyptian cat called?
Bastet also called Bast or the Egyptian Mau or the Egyptian god cat, the Bastet was an ancient Egyptian goddess worshipped in the form of a lioness and later a cat.
Despite its name, the Egyptian cat does not originate from Egypt. Its name comes from culture and mythology, but the truth is that this animal first appeared in Canada, and within its recent history. Some people assure that already in ancient Egypt it was possible to find cats similar to those of this breed, but it is something that cannot be demonstrated due to the lack of documentation about it.
The scientific origin of the Egyptian cat, also known as Sphynx or Egyptian Hairless Cat or Egyptian Sphynx Cat, is in a Canadian litter from the 60s, where one of the kittens was born hairless due to a natural genetic mutation. This hairless kitten was studied to rule out that it was weaker or sicker than other hairless cats, which was verified. The reality about this animal is that it had only undergone the mutation for a recessive gene, but it had no lack or difficulty living its life like any other cat.
Thus, during the following two decades, they began to collect hairless kittens that were born in litters of common cats, either on the street or from home pets. After the pertinent tests to rule out any eventual problem, these animals were introduced into breeding programs that aimed to perpetuate and improve a typology of a hairless cat, in what would be the ancestors of the current feline sphynx breed.
Starting in the 1980s, the Egyptian cat already had defined characteristics, and then the efforts of breeders were aimed at strengthening the health of these animals. Specimens of the Devon Rex breed were introduced into these breeding programs, causing Egyptian cats to improve in strength and further fix their phenotype.
Its recognition as a breed would not come until 2000 when most international organizations would give the Egyptian Sphinx Cat its go-ahead. Thanks to this recognition, more and more people were interested in them as pets, which also helped to increase the popularity of the breed. Currently, it is possible to find specimens of the sphynx cat in all parts of the world, and as a pet in many homes. The truth is that it is not a breed that stands out for being very large or majority, but it is highly valued among cat lovers for its friendliness, strange beauty, and temperament suitable for the whole family.
Egyptian cat Description
Egyptian cats are medium in size and usually weigh between 3.5 and 7 kg.
Head
Its head is long, it has a round snout and marked cheekbones. Its short nose and long neck stand out in proportion to the body. A peculiar fact is that this breed (in most cases) does not have moustaches, although it is not usually a problem for them.
Ears
Another characteristic feature of this cat goddess is its ears: large and open, with slightly rounded tips.
Eyes
Egyptian cats have large, separate, slanted eyes that are often said to be lemon-shaped. As for colour, bright colours such as green, blue, copper or yellow stand out. There are also often Egyptian cats with one eye of each colour.
Body
This pharaoh cat has a wide chest and is characteristic of how the skin of the abdomen hangs. In addition, they are considered strong cats, thanks to their musculature.
Legs
The legs of Egyptian cats are sized according to the rest of the body, although the hind legs are somewhat longer and arched. As for the feet, they are medium in size and their long toes stand out.
Tail
The tail is thin with a slightly wider base and medium length.
Fur
One of the biggest attractions of the breed is the absence of hair due to natural mutation. However, they do have a thin coat of hair that is not fully appreciated. In addition, they stand out for having wrinkled skin that can be of different colors and can even have spots.
Color
Silver, bronze, smoke.
Egyptian cat price
you may wonder how much is the Egyptian Mau price? well, this kind of cat breeds Depending on the colour variety and breeder, an Egyptian Mau can cost anywhere between $800 to $1200.
Characteristics of the Egyptian Cat
The sphynx is a medium-sized cat with easily recognizable characteristics beyond the absence of fur. They are elongated and muscular animals, quite wide in their chest and body. Its pronounced belly stands out, which sometimes seems to hang too much with respect to the rest of the body.
The most remarkable thing in its anatomy is the shape of its head and its especially long neck, in addition to the folds that form on its skin throughout the body. His head is rather elongated and his sharp cheekbones stand out. Also notable in the expression of her face is the size of her eyes and ears, very large in proportion to the rest of the body.
The usual weight of the specimens of this breed is between 3 and 5 kilos, also depending on their length, although they are never as bulky as other long-haired breeds. The breed standard has remained unchanged to date, although current breeders are also seeking to establish the characteristics that are most attractive to them. Therefore, it is possible to think that at some point it will be necessary to update the standard, although the breed is currently more than consolidated throughout the world.
Egyptian Cat Behavior
The word that defines the temperament of the Egyptian cat is tranquillity. They differ quite a bit from other cat breeds in character because they are much calmer than cats in general are. They are sweet, affectionate, curious and intelligent animals, which never tend to show an aggressive character neither among themselves nor with people.
They are animals very dependent on their owners, in terms of affection and other care. They always seek their physical contact, and also cover themselves with clothing or with their owner’s own body to increase their body heat, which is usually very low due to the lack of a cloak.
It is also a sociable breed, which gets along well with both adults and children, although it will not participate in the most energetic games of the little ones. Their intelligence enables them to learn basic and some more complex commands, such as their own names, that they associate and obey very quickly.
Main diseases of the Egyptian Cat
The sphynx cat is one of the most expensive cats in the world it has an average life span of 10-20 years and is generally a healthy animal. However, it is prone to suffer certain problems associated with the consanguineal of the units, and that is translated into metabolic, systemic, and genetic defects. Luckily, today this trend is being corrected and bloodlines are being cleaned up little by little, which means that the born Egyptian cat puppies are stronger and more resistant to common feline diseases.
like any other cat, the Egyptian cat can have scabies.
Basic care of the Egyptian cat
The care of the sphinx cat is more complex than that of other feline breeds. To start, you need to go to the vet frequently to do a general check-up and to keep your vaccination and deworming chart up-to-date. Apart from this, there are many other cares to be given to your Egyptian cat so that it is always healthy.
Just because you don’t have hair doesn’t mean you don’t need body hygiene care. Brushing is ruled out, but its skin is very sensitive and requires special treatment, so it is recommended to bathe it once a week with a specific soap for them, and frequently clean your eyes and ears. In case you do not want to bathe it so often, you can always maintain good hygiene with wet wipes, to properly clean the folds of your skin, but always using sensitive animal products.
The metabolism of the sphinx cat is more accelerated than that of other feline breeds, which aims to increase its body temperature to supply the absence of fur. This implies that the feeding of this breed must be specific, different from that of the rest of cat breeds. In the market, there are specific foods for specimens of this breed, composed of more proteins and fats than other foods. You also need more food per day than other cats of the same size, but you must also control that it is not an excessive amount, since it could gain too much weight, something very dangerous for animals.
To properly care for the sphynx cat, you must ensure that the temperature of the house is always adequate. In both summer and winter, the home’s thermostat should be kept between 22 and 25 degrees, an adequate temperature to protect it. These animals are very sensitive to changes in temperature, and could easily catch a cold and become ill if these guidelines are not followed. It will also be necessary to ensure that the kitten plays and exercises every day, something very necessary for it to stay in shape despite the fact that it is not one of the races that demand the most exercise.
As for their education, it is something really easy to control with a little effort from a puppy, since they are animals that learn very fast, obedient and very sociable. Another of its advantages is that they adapt perfectly to coexist with other animals, making it possible to have it together with other cats, dogs, or even rodents in a total state of peace and tranquillity.
Egyptian Cat skin care
Just as the hair of our pets requires a series of care, it is logical to think that a cat that does not have fur and that its fur is more exposed to the entire environment also needs care.
The coat is usually essential to protect the cat from inclement weather, as well as other external agents. Therefore, one of the main care of the Egyptian cat’s skin has to do with maintaining its ideal body temperature. In winter it should be around 20 degrees, and in summer try to have a maximum of 25 degrees.
The sun is the main enemy of this breed, so care must be taken to protect it from it. Your skin can burn in the same way that it happens to people.
If you go for a walk with your cat, always go to the shady areas. If you have it on a terrace or garden, be sure to provide it with a place to retreat, and if you can’t do it, maybe it’s a good time to spend some time at home.
Another care for the Egyptian cat’s skin should be hygiene. Lacking hair, your body works harder to maintain your body temperature and therefore produces more sweat than any other breed. This will make the cat smell bad and you can even produce allergies or skin irritations, so baths should be more frequent.
Other tips for caring for Egyptian cat fur
The hygiene of the house, as well as its bed and other objects, is essential to take care of the skin of the Egyptian cat, which, because it does not have hair, will be more exposed to bacteria, parasites, or infections caused by dirt.
The food can influence directly on the skin of this animal, so it is best to buy a type of specialized think of Egyptian cats. These will supply all your nutritional demands.
Water and wet food will help the Egyptian cat to be well hydrated, something necessary for the fur to stay healthy, shiny and in good condition.
A very delicate area of your skin, and to which we must pay the maximum attention, is the one that is close to your eyes. As they do not have hair, they do not have eyelashes either, so this area is unprotected against all kinds of external agents. Keep an eye on it and clean it with gauze whenever you see it necessary.
If you decide to have an Egyptian cat, you will be adopting an ideal pet for the whole family, although you already see that there will be a series of extra care.
Egyptian Cat Diet
They love to eat! In addition, they need a diet that provides them with more calories, so they tend to eat more food than other breeds with fur. This happens because they lose heat more easily and require more energy. The basic diet should be based on feed and wet food. Food must contain high levels of protein and a low percentage of carbohydrates.
and better be careful about what u feed your cat because there is a lot of dangerous food for cats that can make them sick or even die
Egyptian Cat Life Span
Egyptian cats tend to be in good health and have a life expectancy of up to 20 years. However, on many occasions crossings between siblings are carried out, which leads to genetic deficiencies that lead to health problems.
It is very important to take the feline to the vet at the beginning of the symptoms of any disease so that he can give him the necessary medicines for his cure.
Egyptian cat breeds
there are few Egyptian cat breeds now we will talk about 4 breeds in this article:
1-The Egyptian Mau
The Egyptian Mau is a long cat although she tends to be medium in size, with the males larger than the females. The Mau is heavily muscled and strong.
2-The Chausie Breed
The Chausie’s history dates back to the ancient Egyptians, who prized these cats for their laidback demeanor and natural hunting ability. In fact, Chausie’s name was derived from the Latin name “Felis chaus,” which translates to “jungle cat.” The Chausie typically resides from the Nile Valley to the Caspian Sea, as well as in South Asia as far as Vietnam.
3-Egyptian Sphynx The Egyptian hairless cat
some people think this Egyptian hairless cat is not an Egyptian cat breeds. The Sphynx cat is a breed of cat known for its lack of coat (fur) its one of the most expensive cats in the world. Hairlessness in cats is a naturally occurring genetic mutation; however, the Sphynx cat, as a breed, was developed through selective breeding, starting in the 1960s
The Egyptian Sphynx Cat breed has an average life span of between 10 and 20 years, its general health is good but it requires certain fundamental care such as:
- Annual visit to the vet
- Teeth cleaning from 2 years
- Vaccines
- A healthy diet, with products free of chemicals and additives (as for all pets)
- At least one weekly bath is recommended
- Careful and regular cleaning of ears.
Egyptian Cat Facts
- That one of its names is that of an Egyptian cat has to do with the resemblance of this animal to the Egyptian goddess Bastet, usually represented in the form of a human and a cat’s head, or with feline anatomy in general.
- Although many people think that the characteristic baldness of the Egyptian cat has to do with human genetic manipulation, it is not. Certainly, it was the scientists who potentiated and fixed this feature. But the first hairless cats were born in normal litters from natural causes, something that can even happen today as part of natural genetics.
- The belief that sphinx cats do not cause allergies is totally unfounded. Just because they are hairless does not mean they are hypoallergenic. This is because allergy production is found in the animal’s hormones and the dead cells that accumulate in the skin and saliva. Hence, an allergic person cannot share her life with one of these animals. People with an animal allergy should seek information about hypoallergenic cat breeds.
- Although it is not a very energetic breed, the truth is that they are also agile and strong animals, as evidenced by the fact that they can jump more than two meters vertically thanks to the strength of their hind legs.
- There are certain precautions to take with regard to temperature with this breed, and they are sensitive to heat and especially cold. It is not uncommon to see them in winter on radiators or stoves, or hidden among their owners’ blankets and clothing.
- One of the reasons this breed is so famous is for its presence in television and film culture. There are many examples that can be found of sphinx cats that appear in the cinema and on television, as part of series and films both in live action and animation.
Egyptian Cat History and origin
Historical evidence points to the Mau being an Egyptian breed. The feline genome data published in the Pentascope document shows the Egyptian Mau to be very closely related to the Maine Coon, Korat, and American Turkish Angoras (not distinguishable from native Turkish Angoras). The phylogenetic tree published in PlosOne demonstrates that the Egyptian Mau belongs to the group of Western-derived breeds. The East Mediterranean/Anatolian group is omitted because breeds that supposedly originate in that geographic area do not do so.
The Mau achieved championship status in some organizations in 1968. There were attempts by British breeders to create Maus from cross-breeds of Abyssinians, Siamese and tabbies, however, these did not resemble the true Maus. This mix became the basis for the Ocicat.
Egyptian Maus will have either a “scarab beetle” or “M” marking on their foreheads. Those with the latter tend to be from the United States.
A Bengal breeder named Jean Mill also made some contributions to the breed. Mill was working with the Egyptian Maus during the time she was creating the Bengal cat breed. In 1982, Mill took a trip to India and spotted a domestic cat “running around the rhinoceros compound” in a zoo. “He was an orange cat with little spots all over him,” Mill said. “He was so unusual, I asked [the zookeepers] to catch him for me.” Mill called him “Millwood Toby of Delhi”. The curator of the New Delhi Zoo also gave Mill the sister of the cat in the rhinoceros cage which Mill named “Millwood Tasha of New Delhi”. These two Indian domestic cats Toby and Tasha introduced a feature previously unknown in the Mau: the rufous polygene. The descendants of these two cats Toby and Tasha were often recorded as both Egyptian Mau and Bengal.
It has been said that all glitter in the Bengal cat, Egyptian Mau and Toyger breeds originates from Millwood Tory of Delhi.
Egyptian cat names :
- Egyptian Mau cat
- Egyptian cat god
- Cat goddess
- Mau cat
- pharaoh cat
- Egyptian hairless cat
More than 5,000 years of the cultural history of Egypt provides a rich language of names. For your Egyptian Mau, Sphynx cat, or mixed breed, how can you choose between Mekal (fierce devourer) and Pakhet (she who scratches)?
Female Names | Meaning |
Acenath | Daughter |
Akila | Intelligent |
Amunet | Goddess of mystery |
Anat | A wife of Seth |
Anippe | Daughter of the Nile |
Asenath | Daughter |
Astarte | A wife of Seth |
Auset | Another name for supreme goddess |
Aziza | Precious |
Bahiti | Fortune |
Bast | Warrior goddess of cats |
Bastet | Goddess of cats and the home |
Bennu | Eagle |
Chione | Mythical daughter of the Nile |
Cleopatra | A queen of Eygpt |
Dalila | Gentle |
Dendera | From Dendera |
Ebonique | Black |
Ebony | Black |
Echidna | Mythical monster |
Edjo | Another form of Uadjit |
Eshe | Life |
Femi | Love |
Fukayna | Intelligent |
Habibah | Loved |
Hafsah | Married to the prophet |
Halima | Gentle |
Haqikah | Honest |
Hasina | Good |
Hathor | Goddess of destruction |
Hatshepsut | Name of a queen |
Hehet | Goddess of the immeasurable |
Heqet | Frog headed goddess |
Ife | Love |
Isis | Supreme Goddess |
Jamila | Beauty |
Jendayi | Thankful |
Kakra | A twin |
Kamilah | Perfection |
Kanika | Black |
Keket | Goddess of darkness |
Kesi | Born of a troubled father |
Khepri | Morning sun |
Kissa | Sister of twins |
Lapis | Named for the lapis stone |
Layla | Born at night |
Lotus | Lotus flower |
Maat | Goddess of order & justice |
Mafuane | Soil |
Maibe | Grave |
Mandisa | Sweet |
Masika | Born during rain |
Meht urt | Represented by a cow |
Mert ekert | Lover of silence |
Mesi | Water |
Meskhenet | Destiny |
Monifa | Lucky |
Mosi | Born first |
Moswen | White |
Mukamutara | Daughter of Mutara |
Mukantagara | Born during war |
Mukarramma | Revered |
Muminah | Pious |
Mut | Mythical mother |
Nabirye | Mother of twins |
Naeemah | Benevolent |
Nailah | Successful |
Nashwa | Wonderful feeling |
Nathifa | Pure |
Naunet | Goddess of the ocean |
Nebt het | Nature goddess |
Neema | Born to wealthy parents |
Nefertari | Name of a queen |
Nefertiti | Name of a queen |
Neith | The divine mother |
Nekhbet | Mythical vulture goddess |
Nephthys | Mythical nature goddess |
Net | The divine mother |
Nile | From the Nile |
Niut | Goddess of nothingness |
Nourbese | Wonderful |
Nubia | From Nubia |
Nuru | Born during the day |
Nut | Mythical sky goddess |
Ode | From the road |
Ojufemi | Beloved of the gods |
Olabisi | Brings joy |
Olufemi | Beloved of the gods |
Omorose | Beautiful |
Oni | Wanted |
Oseye | Happy |
Panya | Mouse |
Pili | Born second |
Quibilah | Peaceful |
Rabiah | Born in the spring |
Ramla | Predicts the future |
Rashida | Righteous |
Raziya | Agreeable |
Rehema | Compassionate |
Renenet | Goddess of fortune |
Sabah | Born in the morning |
Sabola | Prophetess |
Safiya | Pure |
Sagira | Little one |
Salihah | Agreeable |
Sanura | Kitten |
Sekhet | Wife of Ptah |
Sekhmet | Goddess of destruction and healing |
Selk | Another form of “supreme goddess” |
Selma | Secure |
Serq | Another form of “supreme goddess” |
Shani | Wonderful |
Sharifa | Respected |
Shukura | Grateful |
Siti | Lady |
Sslama | Peaceful |
Subira | Patient |
Suma | Ask |
Tabia | Talented |
Tahirah | Pristine |
Tale | Green |
Talibah | Seeks knowledge |
Tauret | Goddess of pregnant women |
Tefnut | Atmospheric moisture |
Thema | Queen |
Theoris | Great |
Thermuthis | Another form of Renenet |
Uadjit | Mythical cobra goddess |
Uatchit | Another form of Hathor |
Umayma | Little mother |
Umm | Mother |
Urbi | Princess |
Walidah | Newly born |
Zahra | Flower |
Zalika | Wellborn |
Zaliki | Wellborn |
Male names | Meanings |
Abasi | Stern |
Abayomi | Brings joy |
Abubakar | Noble |
Adio | Righteous |
Adofo | Fighter |
Akiiki | Friendly |
Akil | Intelligent |
Akins | Brave |
Amenhotep | Name of a pharaoh |
Amenophis | Name of a pharaoh |
Ammon | God of a united Egypt |
Amsi | Personification of reproduction |
Amun | God of mystery |
Anpu | God of the dead |
Anubis | God of the dead |
Anzety | God of Busiris |
Apis | Dead bull thought to be Osiris |
Asim | Protector |
Astennu | God of the moon |
Aswad | Black |
Ata | Twin |
Atemu | Mythical great god of Annu |
Aten | Sun disk |
Azibo | Earth |
Azizi | Precious |
Babafemi | Beloved of his father |
Badru | Born during the full moon |
Baniti | Teacher |
Bastet | A cat |
Bes | Brings joy |
Bomani | Warrior |
Chafulumisa | Fast |
Chatuluka | Departs |
Chenzira | Born on a journey |
Chibale | Kinsman |
Chike | Power of God |
Chisisi | Secret |
Chuma | Wealthy |
Dakarai | Happy |
Darius | Name of a pharaoh |
Fadil | Generous |
Fenuku | Born late |
Fenyang | Conquers |
Gahiji | Hunter |
Geb | Mythical earth god |
Gyasi | Wonderful |
Haji | Born during the pilgrimage |
Hamadi | Praised |
Hanbal | Pristine |
Hanif | Believes |
Hapi | A god of the Nile |
Hapu | Name of a pharaoh |
Hasani | Handsome |
Heru | Sun god |
Horus | God of the sky |
Husani | Handsome |
Ishaq | Laughs |
Jabari | Brave |
Jafari | Creek |
Jahi | Dignified |
Jibade | Related to royalty |
Jumoke | Loved by all |
Kafele | Would die for |
Kasiya | Departs |
Kazemde | Ambassador |
Kek | God of darkness |
Khafra | Name of a pharaoh |
Khalfani | Shall rule |
Khalid | Immortal |
Khentimentiu | God of the dead’s destiny |
Khons | God of the moon |
Khufu | Name of a pharaoh |
Kosey | Lion |
Lateef | Gentle |
Lisimba | Lion |
Lukman | A prophet |
Luzige | Locust |
Menes | Name of a king |
Menkaura | Name of a pharaoh |
Min | God of fertility |
Minkabh | Justice |
Month | God of Thebes |
Mosegi | Tailor |
Mudads | Provider |
Musa | Of the water |
Musim | Believer |
Naeem | Benevoent |
Narmer | Name of a king |
Nassor | Victor |
Neb er tcher | God of the universe |
Nuru | Born during the day |
Oba | King |
Omari | High born |
Onuris | Brings back the distant one |
Osahar | God hears me |
Osiris | God of the dead |
Oubastet | A cat |
Ptolemy | Name of a pharaoh |
Qeb | Father of the earth |
Quasshie | Born on Sunday |
Ra | The sun |
Radames | Egyptian hero |
Ramses | Begotten by Ra the sun god |
Rashidi | Wise |
Re | Midday sun |
Rsmses | Name of a pharaoh |
Runihura | Destroyer |
Saa | A nature god |
Sadiki | Faithful |
Seb | God of the earth |
Sefu | Sword |
Sekani | Laughs |
Senusnet | Name of a pharaoh |
Serapis | Another name for Apis |
Sethos | Name of a prince |
Shabaka | Name of a king |
Tarik | Name of a warrior |
Tau | Lion |
Tehuti | God of earth, sky & sea |
Teremun | Loved by his father |
Thabit | Strong |
Thoth | God of the moon |
Thutmose | Name of a pharaoh |
Tor | King |
Tum | Great god of Annu |
Tumaini | Hope |
Umi | Life |
Un nefer | God of the dead |
Usi | Smoke |
Yafeu | Bold |
Yahya | Given by God |
Zahur | A flower |
Ziyad | He shall add |
Zuberi | Strong |
cats in ancient Egypt
We all know the great esteem and adoration that the Egyptians had for cats, in fact, they were the first to tame them. But why them and not another animal? Today we tell you where this veneration comes from and some other curiosities about Ancient Egypt and cats.
Cats were a very important part of the culture of Ancient Egypt for a religious theme, since the cat, being a feline, belongs to the same family of animals as the lion, the Sun God Ra for the Egyptians. The lion’s eyes reflect the rays of the sun and fight the darkness. Thus the cat becomes one of the most sacred animals in this culture, having replicas in temples and pyramids in order to protect the gods.
If you think this breed is right for you, it’s time to find a suitable puppy. For this, you must go to breeders specialized in the breed, who can offer you all the necessary guarantees about the health of your new pet. Remember that the Egyptian cat is one of the most special that exists, so you must make sure you are receiving a quality specimen. In addition, by talking to an experienced breeder you will receive first-hand information on the care of the breed, so you can have everything under control from the first moment.
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that is so nice i like this Egyptian cats breed ts a beautiful cats
i dont think if this cats are egyptian cats . cuz some of theme doesnt exist in egypt at all
Is anyone able to recommend cheap cat breed like some Egyptianscats? Thanks very much 🙂
i never think there is some Egyptian cat breed its really so cute
Egyptian Cat it’s wonderful cat
I have one it’s amazing and her body is strange but I love it