The Aegean cat is a sociable, loving, and energetic breed that can get along well in any type of household, apartments, and houses, with or without kids, and even homes that include other pets. They are a natural breed that has evolved without the intervention of humans. They stand at about 10 inches tall when fully grown and can weigh up to 10 pounds.
Many people compare them to Turkish Angoras, but they are their own unique breed with their own unique look, temperament, and way of life. These cats are typically bicolor or tricolor and some feature tabby markings while others display various patterns that include colors or white, cream, red, blue, or black.
They love the company of humans and will talk your ear off if you allow them to. The Aegean cat loves to play and will spend hours with their toys when they are alone. This cat breed is muscular, lean, and great at hunting rats and other small vermin. Are you ready to learn more about this interesting cat breed? There is still much to discover, so keep reading!
These cats are fanciful and fun, even as kittens. While they each have their own unique personalities, they all have the same basic qualities to be aware of. Here is a snapshot of what you should know:
3 Little-Known Facts About Aegean Cats
1. Their Evolution is Natural
These cats have evolved on their own and have not needed intervention from humans to thrive. A true Aegean cat is bicolored or tricolored and features a lean, muscular body that is perfectly capable of taking care of itself in the wild – just like a tiger or a lion might.
2. Their Eyes Are Always Almond Shaped
Every Aegean cat has almond-shaped eyes, and their eyes are almost always green in color. However, the shade of green that their eyes display can vary in hue from light mint to dark emerald.
3. They Enjoy Swimming
It is said that these cats come from the Greek Cycladic Islands, where they lived a feral life near lots of water. They learned to swim and fish for survival, and their love of water and swimming stays with this cat breed today.
Credit: pinggr, Shutterstock
Temperament & Intelligence of the Aegean Cat
Aegean cats are curious, outgoing, intelligent, and extremely talkative. They do not mind spending some time alone at home during the day, but they expect plenty of attention when humans are around. These cats enjoy the company of other cats and friendly dogs, especially when sharing the same home with them.
This cat breed is particularly affectionate with humans and will spend hours sleeping in an available lap when they are not busy exploring or playing. They love water and will jump into a pond to catch their own fish if they have a chance to. Some even like swimming in their family’s backyard pool. This can be a problem for owners who maintain a koi pond or an open fish aquarium at home.
Due to their curious nature, they should not be let outside to roam freely as this could bring them danger from stray animals and strangers. Instead, they should have access to an enclosed porch or yard for sunning, climbing, and lounging around during the day. However, they can adapt fine to completely indoor living if necessary.
Are These Cats Good for Families? 👪
The Aegean cat is excellent with children and adults alike. They can handle rough play with younger kids and do not typically react in a hostile manner when they are teased, or their tail gets tugged on. These cats can keep up with the fast-paced curiosity of kids and will follow human adults around to check out what they are doing. They will also snuggle up and sleep in the bed with teenagers!
Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?
This cat breed gets along famously with other cats of any breed if they grow up together. They are also willing to live with and meet friendly dogs and that will not chase them. They do have a high prey drive, so they may not get along well with smaller animals such as ferrets and hamsters. Aegean cats should be introduced to other animal species while still kittens so that they do not develop a fear of them as they age.
Image Credit: Mark St. Cyr, Shutterstock
Things to Know When Owning an Aegean Cat:
There are a few important things to know about caring for an Aegean cat before deciding whether to adopt one yourself. If you are simply curious about how these cats might differ from other breeds, understanding their care requirements can provide you with some extra insight. Here is what you should know:
Food & Diet Requirements
Like all cats, Aegean kitties are obligate carnivores, which means that the only thing they need to survive is animal protein. In the wild, they may nibble on some grass or weeds occasionally. In captivity, they will eat some fruits and vegetables that are offered to them, but these foods are not essential for them to maintain good health throughout their lives.
Therefore, these cats should eat a commercial or homemade food that is made primarily of chicken, beef, or seafood. No fillers such as corn or soy should be on the ingredients list. Also, their food should include minimal fruits and veggies if any at all.
Exercise 🐈
The Aegean cat is extremely active and expects to have lots of room to exercise throughout the day. They can live in an apartment setting, but they need an enclosed porch to hang out in and a cat condo to spend time on while inside. They should have access to several different types of toys like puzzles, balls, fake rats, and feather dusters to play with all day long, as they do not nap often during the day. The more active they are while the sun is up, the more relaxed and calm they will be while the humans in the house are trying to sleep at night.
Training 🎾
This breed can be noisy, especially at night when everyone is trying to sleep so some training may be necessary. Luckily, these are smart cats that do take well to training when treats and patience are involved. So, it is completely possible to teach an Aegean cat not to talk so much. These cats can also be taught some tricks if owners are up for the challenge of teaching them.
Aegean cats are moderate shedders, so they should be brushed or combed once a week to keep stray hairs from piling up in the home. Their nails may need to be trimmed once a month to keep damage to furniture and household items to a minimum. Owners can brush their teeth regularly, or tarter control treats can be offered several times a week. Their ears should be checked for redness and dirt buildup weekly to minimize the risk of infection. Ears can be cleaned out gently with a cotton ball or damp cloth.
Health and Conditions 🏥
These cats are generally healthy and are not prone to many serious health conditions that are common among cat breeds in today’s world. Here is what you should know:
Minor Conditions
Diabetes
Serious Conditions
Renal failure
Hypothyroidism
Male vs Female
Males and females are confident, curious, active, and loving. Boys seem to be a little more independent than the girls, but they also seem to “talk” just as much. Females are usually a little easier to potty train, especially during the “teenage years” when boys learn to spray. But for the most part, both genders are equally reliable, adaptable, and loyal.
Final Thoughts
The Aegean cat is an adorable breed that is frisky, fun, and full of surprises. Any household, with or without kids, with or without other pets, can make for a great home for this cat breed. Do you think this cat breed would make a good fit for your household? What is your favorite characteristic of the Aegean cat breed? We would love to learn your thoughts… leave us a message in the comments section below!
Featured Image Credit: Suriya Nathan, Shutterstock
Christian is the Editor-in-Chief of Excited Cats and one of its original and primary contributors. A lifelong cat lover, now based in South East Asia, Christian and his wife are the proud parents of an 11-year-old son and four rescue cats: Trixie, Chloe, Sparky, and Chopper.
