Cats appeared long before the appearance of the first civilizations. And they have been living side by side with humans for thousands of years. Cats were first depicted by the ancient Egyptians around 1950 BC. What Egyptian cat breed has survived to this day?
Cats were important to the ancient Egyptians. They tamed them and took care of them more than themselves. Despite Egypt's huge role in the domestication of cats, there are not many breeds left that have their roots in this desert country. Let's take a closer look at six breeds that can be traced back to Egypt.
Egyptian Mau
By the name it is easy to understand where this cat breed came from. We can say that the Egyptian Mau is the most Egyptian of all modern cat breeds. These spotted animals bear a striking resemblance to those depicted in ancient Egypt. And this breed was worshiped many centuries ago.
The breed was almost exterminated during the Second World War. The Russian princess saved the Egyptian Mau breed. This is the only domestic cat that has been spotted naturally. They are the fastest of all domestic cats, reaching speeds of up to 50 km per hour.
The Ancient Egyptians and Their Devotion to Cats
The ancient Egyptians and their devotion to cats were, frankly, on a whole other level. The greatest example is the Battle of Pelusium (525 BC), when Cambyses II of Persia conquered Egypt. It was said that Cambyses knew of Egypt's love of cats, which he used to his advantage during the war. He asked his men to collect as many cats as possible and even paint pictures of cats on their battle shields.
As they moved towards the city of Pelusium, several cats walked ahead, and the rest were held in the arms of Persian soldiers. The Egyptians were so reluctant to engage in battle for fear of harming the cats that they surrendered to defeat and allowed the Persians to conquer the kingdom of Egypt.
Likewise, in ancient times, there were many laws protecting cats. For example, if a person killed a cat, even by accident, the punishment would be death. In addition, the trade and export of cats to other countries is prohibited. When cats die, they will be mummified and their owners will leave them food. Sometimes cats were even buried with their owners to show how much they loved their beloved pets.
Mummified ancient Egyptian cats
So now you know why the Egyptians loved their cats so much! The next time you see one on the street, you can treat it with more respect, just like ancient civilizations did thousands of years ago!
Shirazi - Egyptian cat breed
In Egypt, you can see many Shirazi cats roaming the streets. If you believe the myths and ancient legends, then this breed of cats was formed when Egypt was part of the Persian Empire. The breed is not registered, but in their homeland they are common.
Shirazi is a cross between the Egyptian Mau and the Persian. They have the same colors and markings as the Egyptian Mau. They are calmer than Mau. They combine the best features of both parent breeds.
How did ancient Egyptian cats live?
The attitude towards cats was special. Science indicates that the cat was a sacred animal of ancient Egypt. They tried to provide comfortable conditions for them. They were carefully looked after and fed the best food. If they fell ill, their owners went to special pagan priests in the Bastet buildings and gave a certain amount of food. The cats living in these buildings had their own special servants who fed them, played musical instruments and took care of them in other ways.
If cats died, they were given a special funeral. They were mummified, and the coffin was made as expensive as possible using gold, carvings, and precious stones. The family whose pet died observed mourning and ate little in the days immediately after the pet’s death. If someone killed a cat, it was severely punished with a very large fine or even the death penalty. In these cases, much depended on the social and property status of the owner.
Abyssinian
Although it is not proven that Abyssinians originated in ancient Egypt, they are very similar to the African wild cat. Their closest ancestors originated in the Nile Valley, but the Abessinian breed was created in Great Britain. These cats were brought from Abyssinia - modern Ethiopia, after a military expedition.
During World War II, this cat breed almost disappeared. After World War II the breed was repopulated, and feline leukemia almost wiped them out again. Abessinians look like small pumas due to their ticked fur. Although Abyssinians are prone to a number of health problems, they can live for more than 15 years.
Health
Characteristic diseases
The health of Abyssinian cats is quite good due to their high mobility.
However, genetic abnormalities cannot be excluded: polycystic kidney disease (in blue varieties), atrophic retinopathy of the retina, problems with the blood, in particular, with the content of red blood cells.
Breeders who respect the breed conduct genetic tests and reject carriers of these diseases.
Monitor your cat's diet. Errors in diet can lead to gingivitis, so check your pet's teeth frequently.
In addition, the Abyssinian loves to eat well – hence the overeating and problems with bowel movements.
With proper upbringing and enough attention, the Abyssinian will give you all his love
Vaccinations
The first vaccinations for kittens are given at 9 and 11 months. Previously, vaccination is not indicated for kittens, as teeth change.
In the future, vaccination is carried out annually.
At least 13.5 weeks before vaccination, it is worth washing the cats with flea shampoo and giving them an anthelmintic.
And don’t forget to mark it in your veterinary passport.
Nile cat
There is some controversy surrounding the Nile cat. This is essentially a wild cat breed discovered in Egypt. Some consider them to be Egyptian Mau, although the International Cat Association has recognized them as a separate experimental breed. These are street cats that no one takes care of in Egypt.
An American rescue group is relocating these cats to America. This breed can be identified by the mantle on its back and sides, which is distinct from the rest of its body. These cats come in a variety of colors and patterns, with long and short hair.
Interesting facts about the breed
- Primary teeth often do not fall out until permanent teeth emerge, so a Mau may have two complete sets of teeth. This may result in sensitivity to touch around the mouth and usually occurs between four and seven months.
- The Mau's gestation period is longer than most other breeds. Kittens can be born any time between 63 and 67 days. Some females walk for 70 days and give birth to healthy kittens without difficulty.
- Mau love to “ruffle” household items. This could be any thing such as a house shoe, a sock, clothing, a cup on the table, etc. Suddenly the thing becomes an enemy that must be brutally defeated.
- Mau have a quiet musical voice, sometimes they walk around the house and make various sounds, sometimes chirping like a bird, sometimes giggling. This usually happens when the cat is in a good mood or sees something particularly exciting, such as an insect.
Chausie
This breed was created by crossing the Nile cat with domestic breeds. Chausie cats have been found in several ancient Egyptian temples, indicating that the Egyptians valued them even before they were bred into the Chausie we know today.
This is one of the largest breeds of domestic cats, sometimes weighing up to 11 kg. This is one of the few cat breeds that love water. In 2013, the International Cat Association finally registered the breed.
Features of care
Combing
The Abyssinian's coat is short, so it does not require special care.
Going through the fur with a furminator once a week is more than enough.
During molting, it is better to bathe cats more often to wash away dead hairs - pets respond favorably to the procedure.
Trim your nails before bathing. They can polish them on a scratching post - don’t forget to buy one.
To maintain physical fitness and direct your cat’s activity in the right direction, often play with your pet: balls, wind-up mice, a yo-yo, or just a bow on a string.
The ears of Abyssinian cats are large, so they should be cleaned regularly to avoid the development of infections.
Clean with a cotton pad or a damp cloth once every two weeks.
To make cats feel calm, allocate a place in the room for a house or bed. Don't forget about toys.
You can read about how to make a cat house with your own hands here:
Walk
Today Abyssinian cats are domestic cats. That's why they are not walked on the street. However, if you do take your pet out, put a flea and tick collar .
They have enough walking around the entire house, wherever the owner goes.
To maintain physical fitness and direct activity in the right direction, often play with your pet: balls, wind-up mice, a yo-yo, or just a bow on a string.
The Abyssinian cat constantly lacks attention. She will follow you everywhere: into the room and corridor, onto the balcony and into the kitchen. When meeting its owner, the cat will invariably say hello by purring affectionately
Nutrition
Abyssinians are real picky eaters, as befits royalty.
But if they like the dish, problems with collecting food can be avoided.
The Abyssinian cat's diet should be balanced, rich in vitamins, minerals and various microelements.
All this is contained in ready-made wet and dry food .
As for natural food, feed them three times a day. And don't forget about clean water.
Abyssinians are real picky eaters, as befits royalty.
- Like all predators, Abyssinians love meat. Give 100-140 g of meat per day: beef, veal, minced meat or chicken, chicken (but without bones), offal (if your pet likes them). Alternate meat products to diversify your diet.
- A couple of times a week, a raw or soft-boiled egg.
- Cereal porridges that do not cause bloating.
- Fermented milk products, milk.
- Vegetables, raw or cooked.
- Fruits. Some cats of this breed love melons and bananas.
- You should not give fatty pork, legumes, oatmeal, river fish, food from the table, and even seasoned with spices.
The Abyssinian's coat is short, so it does not require special care. Going through the fur with a metal fine-tooth comb once a week is more than enough.
Savannah cat
Savannah cats are among the largest domestic cats. They can reach a weight of up to 11 kg. and are very similar to their wild cat ancestors. This breed was created by crossing a domestic cat with a wild African cat named Serval. There is no evidence that this breed originates directly from Egypt, but servals have a distinguished history in Egypt. In Ancient Egypt, servals were exotic gifts and were traded as far back as the time of Tutankhamun.
Early generations are the largest, and later generations are closer to the size of the average domestic cat. They have strong hunting instincts, so it is best not to keep them in homes with birds, fish or other small pets. Savannah cats are one of the few felines known to love water.
How to choose a kitten
Have you already dreamed that an Abyssinian cat will appear at home?
It is better to buy it from breeders, since according to the advertisements “I will give away an Abyssinian”, “I will sell an inexpensive Abyssinian kitten”, “Abyssinian kitten for free” it is not a fact that you will get exactly an Abyssinian.
And the breeder is obliged to provide pedigree documents.
In addition, you need to see the mother cat, because the kittens of the Abyssinian breed are not at all like their parents: they are floppy-eared, clumsy, funny, they do not have that same royal grace.
Kittens of the Abyssinian breed are not at all like their parents: they are protruding, clumsy, funny, they do not have that very royal grace
The color will remain the same. Please note that there are no stripes on the front legs, the “necklace” should be solid, without breaks, so that the undercoat is not gray or very light.
The ticking should be noticeable and consist of two or three stripes, the pattern should be distinct, the eyelid and mouth should be edged in white with a transition to the chin and neck.
Abyssinian kittens can be given to new owners at 3 months of age. Previously it is undesirable, since his attachment to his mother is very great.
If you want to know how to determine the age of a kitten, we recommend reading the article
Otherwise, the physical and mental state of the baby will suffer.
The Abyssinian cat is quite playful. She can easily be lured by a fun game. That is why she has good relationships with children
Healthy kittens are active and playful, they are not aggressive or fearful. Choose a clean kitten with no unpleasant odor and shiny fur.
Ears and eyes should be clean, the tummy should be soft and without bloating. If a kitten has worms, it will be visible by its dense, seemingly full belly.
Check your vaccination passport: it should contain notes about injections given at 9 and 11 weeks of age.
Don’t forget to take documents: a veterinary passport, a card for issuing a pedigree, or the pedigree itself.
Consult with the breeder what to feed the kitten and how to care for it at first.
The Abyssinian cat, like any girl, loves to try on different looks.
You already know what color your Abyssinian cat will be; the price depends on the color (standards can be read at the beginning of the article) - keep this in mind.
The main characteristics of the breed: slimness, bordering on thinness, grace, majesty and size.
Secrets of cat energy
Many people go to Egypt not only for a wonderful holiday, but also for miracles. Everyone secretly hopes that in this country there are some mystical elements that will help get rid of problems, and a person will be able to realize his desires. For example, earn a lot of money, get married, make a career leap and even lose weight. Some Egyptian drawings, figurines, talismans and amulets really have miraculous powers. But do not forget that Egyptian cat figurines are funerary attributes. Placing such an object at home is equivalent to decorating an apartment with a cross brought from the cemetery.
The Egyptians installed such figurines on the graves of the dead to mark the boundary between this world and the other world. To protect against the penetration of evil spirits from a parallel world into our reality.
Why is a cat considered a sacred animal?
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After the death of Alexander the Great, the Greek dynasty reigned in Egypt. The country was freed from the yoke of the Persians and finally began to live a peaceful and calm life. But suddenly, violating all political predictions, a bloody uprising occurred in the former capital - the city of Memphis. Angry Egyptians razed the city's Greek quarter to the ground, killing some of its inhabitants and dispersing the rest. The reason for the uprising was that one of the Greeks committed a terrible crime that chills the soul of every true Egyptian - he drowned newborn kittens.
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In Egypt there was a special attitude towards cats. These animals were highly valued - and for good reason.
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Cats appeared in this country about 2000 BC and were almost immediately declared sacred animals. Of course, there was also an economic factor at work here: Egypt was a country specializing in the production of grain crops. Someone had to guard the huge warehouses with the richest reserves of grain. Initially, they tried to adapt stoats to this work, but the small animals did not cope well with such difficult work. The task was only up to the cats that appeared later.
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In the ancient world, there was only one reliable way to ensure the integrity of an animal - to declare it sacred. But it seems that this is not the only reason that forced the Egyptians to solve the problem in this way.
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Among occultists, Egyptian priests have always been considered a select caste, best versed in magic in the world. This belief has been known since ancient times; medieval authors wrote that of all the magical arts that have ever existed, 90% went to Egypt.
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From the point of view of the priests, a cat living in a family also performed the task of karmic unloading of the clan and contributed to its well-being . It is still generally accepted that an abandoned kitten picked up on the street will definitely bring good luck to the house. Moreover, it was believed that a cat appears in a house for a reason.
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According to the Egyptians, it embodied the soul of a recently deceased person close to home. Most often - the deceased owner.
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There was one famous case when a real cat invasion began in one apartment. Homeless animals have chosen not just a staircase as a place to live, but a rug under the apartment doors. What could be done with them? I had to let them in and then give them to friends. So in three years, more than a dozen cats changed, and, strangely, they all resembled someone they knew well. Taking a closer look at them, it was discovered that the behavior of almost every cat displays character traits inherent in family members who once died. The similarity was so clear that the thought arose: maybe the dead are really returning to the house, now in the form of a cat?
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However, over time, the issue was resolved differently. The last cat that appeared in the house was unlike any other cat that had lived there before. It seemed that the pattern had been broken. However, taking a closer look at him, it turned out that he looks like the narrator himself!
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The solution to the phenomenon turned out to be quite simple - these animals simply absorb the mental matrix of the one who once lived in the house, thus clearing the energetic atmosphere in the apartment from the karmic accumulations of the people who lived here . The mental matrix is inherently a circuit connecting a person. It is she who regulates how he should feel, think and act. Not only is it the cause of almost all existing diseases, but it also dictates how we should react in various situations and what actions we should take. Indeed, in real life, we often react automatically - not rationally, but in the way that our matrix and the matrices of our ancestors prescribe to us. This happens even when the actions we take can lead to disaster.
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Cats destroy the influence of matrices by absorbing negative information . When there is too much such information, the cat, of course, dies, but manages to cleanse its owner. It is on this dependence that the belief that cats have a healing effect on humans is based. The significance of a cat is really great, it’s not for nothing that a cat is a sacred animal.
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The above is only part of the positive effects of cats. There are other factors as well. So, one woman replaced four cats in her house in two years. They all died under different circumstances. Curious about why her pets were dying, she turned to the seer. During the session, the chain of trance visions developed in this way: on the line of her husband’s fate there were signs signifying death, destined for an accident . The cats took on all these troubles, dying instead of the owner.
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This phenomenon is not something new. Even in the ancient world, there was a tradition according to which the death of a dying king could voluntarily be taken upon himself by one of his confidants. It often happened that the person who gave such consent actually died, and the king recovered. In this case, the cats took on the role of the victim, dying instead of the owner.
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There is a popular saying: if a cat does not get along in the house, then you should buy an animal of a different color. Thus, with the same positive effect on its owner, the cat will be much less exposed to blows. If the owner treats his pet tactfully, then the cat always remains loyal to him and often helps him out of big troubles.
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There is a well-known case that happened in England at one time. The woman worked as a nurse at the hospital. One day, when she returned home after work, she was suddenly grabbed by thieves operating in the apartment. The domestic cat, a rather massive animal, could not tolerate such treatment from the owner. A few minutes later, both crooks rushed out of the house with their clothes torn to shreds and badly scratched. The angry cat chased them for a whole kilometer.
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An equally interesting story was told by a woman living in a village near St. Petersburg:
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“I once climbed into the attic for hay, threw down an armful and went for another. While walking around the hole, she stepped on something, lost her balance and fell straight down on her back. There was nothing to grab onto. It’s not scary to fall with your back on the hay, but below there were attachments to the tractor and walk-behind tractor. Most likely, I would have smashed my head on this pile of iron. I realized all the consequences while sitting on the floor, in the hay. And when I flew with my back into the hole, I had no time to think. But at some point, at the edge of the hole, the eyes of my cat Bagheera flashed. She suddenly rushed forward, and her sharp claws dug into the sleeve of her quilted jacket. For a split second, Bagheera managed to delay my fall, but this was enough to change its direction. The heavy felt boots went down and I landed safely on my feet in the soft hay with the crampon on my sleeve. Afterwards Bagheera limped for a long time and her claws were not retracted. Now she is in perfect order, slender, lean, black with shiny fur.”
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Cats often exhibit a sense of precognition. They seem to feel what kind of trouble threatens their owner, and if possible they try to “spread straws”. Of course, more often this happens if the owner suits them. In the end, the owner himself determines the form of relationships with his animals.
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Cats have one more property: they interfere with vampires. According to ancient Egyptian legends, vampires die from cat scratches. In reality, of course, this is not the case, but nevertheless cats have the ability to resist vampirism in any form. There are often people who pathologically cannot tolerate these animals and experience a feeling of hatred towards them . Remembering the mentioned cat ability, I would like to ask: why would it be?
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Evil spirits really don't like cats. One of the women living in the village said that strange poltergeist incidents periodically occurred in her house. At the same time, the cat, calmly sleeping on the Russian stove, was suddenly lifted up by some unknown force, and then hit the floor with all its might, killing it to death. She claimed that the brownie did not like cats, but most likely it was a much more powerful and negative demonic force. Apparently, cats living in the house largely prevented this force from exerting its influence on people.
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It is curious, but this family in the village was considered unclean. There were many black witches in it, and the narrator herself, after some time, died a very difficult death, which, as we know, is typical of black sorcerers. Later, her relatives reported that not only did cats not take root in their house, but no plants grew either. What was happening in the village was a poltergeist, initiated by the unconscious abilities of a born fighter.
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The ancient Egyptians had a much deeper knowledge of the magical arts than modern people .
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Character
Any cat breed has certain personality traits; many of them in Egyptian sphinxes can be explained by appearance features:
- The hairless cat loves human warmth and affection.
- This breed of cat gets along well with other animals (even large dogs).
- The Sphynx is an intelligent animal; it easily remembers the location of its toilet and scratching post.
- This cat is extremely rarely capricious; she always behaves with restraint and politeness.
- Sphinxes easily endure long roads and visiting trips.
- The breed of such cats is decorative; the hunting instinct is almost completely absent.
- The animal is good with children and can play with them for hours. There are no pronounced pain points on the body of a hairless cat: if the baby squeezes the cat hard enough, it will not hurt.
- Sphinxes strive to attract attention to themselves: at home they do not part with their owner and “help” him with household chores; his authority is very valuable for the cat. Loneliness is quite difficult for pets.
- It is difficult to tolerate any disease.
- By their nature, animals are quite vulnerable; you should not shout at them.
