The love Egyptians had for their cats is something that’s ingrained throughout history. It’s reflected in their art, culture and traditions and they even worshipped a cat-headed goddess called Bastet, who was the goddess of the home and womanhood. But did you know that the furry friends we know and love today have their ancestry in Ancient Egypt?
Over 10,000 years ago, Egyptians used the African Wildcat – a peaceful, solitary wild breed with a sandy or grey coat – to create domestic cats. The ancestors of many of today’s cat breeds can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, although there are now only a few breeds in existence that specifically come from Egypt. Keep reading to learn about Egyptian cat breeds and what makes them so special.