Aegean Cat: Breed Info, Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Breed Overview

The Aegean cat is a natural breed that originated in the Cycladic Islands in the Aegean Sea, which is how it got its name. The breed is considered to be one of the oldest domesticated cat breeds.

The Aegean comes in several colors, reaches 8–10 inches in height, and weighs 8–10 pounds. The Aegean cat is loving, energetic, intelligent, affectionate, and will talk all day long if you’ll listen.

The cat can live in homes with or without children and get along well with other pets, even other cats and dogs.

The Aegean is muscular and lean, and you should have no rodents in your home because this cat was born to hunt. If you’re looking to adopt one of these cats, make sure to try a shelter if possible.

If you’re unsure whether you want to adopt the feline, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Aegean cat breed, its care, traits, and a few facts you might not already know below.

Aegean Kittens

Aegean Cat Characteristics

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Aegean kittens are very sociable and love their humans. You can be sure that each kitten will have its own unique personality. We’ll discuss these traits and more in the next sections.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Aegean Cat

1. Aegean Cats Originated in Greece

As previously stated, Aegean cats are one of the oldest domesticated breeds. Other than in their home country, they are rare in the rest of the world. The Aegean cats in North America are bred or adopted from Greece.

2. Aegean Cats were Used as Shipmates

Aegeans were popular cats in fishing ports, as they had excellent mousing instincts. In addition, they were used as shipmates and companions on ships for their ability to hunt down and eliminate mice and other rodents.

3. Aegean Cats Love Water

Aegean cats love water, but typically, most cats hate water. So, if you adopt one of these adorable creatures, don’t be surprised if they jump in the pool or try to swim in your bathtub.

Temperament & Intelligence of the Aegean Breed

Aegean cats are curious and love to fish, so make sure if you have a pond or lake, you protect your fish. The breed is also talkative, intelligent, and outgoing, and they rarely meet a stranger.

Aegean cats love their humans and will be perfectly happy to curl up with you on the couch while you watch television.

It is best not to let these cats roam freely outside. Since they are extremely curious, they could put themselves in danger from stray animals and other threats. If they have access to a closed-in back porch, they can get sunlight or play whenever they want without being in danger.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

As previously stated, Aegean cats do well with families. Not only can this breed keep up with the fast pace of younger children, but it also has the patience level to match. This isn’t the type of cat that retreats when it’s played with roughly, so it’s great for younger children.

However, you need to teach your children how to treat their pets, so the cat doesn’t get injured. All cats have their limits, and you don’t want the cat to bite or scratch a child.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

Aegean cats get along great with other pets, even other cats and dogs. As with any animal, it’s best to socialize your Aegean kitten when it’s young for the best results.

Since they’re hunters and have a strong prey drive, they might not do as well with hamsters or smaller creatures.

Things to Know When Owning an Aegean:

If you’ve decided that owning an Aegean cat is the right choice for you, then you’ll need to know a few things about taking care of your new pet. We’ll talk about food and diet requirements, exercise, training, grooming requirements, and even health conditions to watch out for in our next few sections.

Food & Diet Requirements

Like all felines, Aegean cats are carnivores, which means they need protein to be healthy and happy. The best food to feed your cat is a commercial brand that has seafood, beef, or chicken as its number one ingredient.

It’s best to keep veggies and fruits to a minimum because they’re not as beneficial to a feline’s diet.

Exercise

We’ve already told you a couple of times that this cat breed is extremely active, so they need to exercise throughout the day. While the cat can thrive in an apartment, it’s best if they have an enclosed porch.

You can also set up a cat condo with plenty of perches and toys for your cat to climb and hang out on. Aegeans are intelligent, so you need to purchase toys that keep them entertained and test their intellect.

If the cat is more active during the day, it’s more likely to be calm and relaxed at night when the pet parents are trying to sleep.

Training

Aegean cats can be nosey, especially in the middle of the night when people are trying to sleep and they want to play. Luckily, these cats are intelligent and supremely easy to train, so it’s possible to train them not to talk so much.

Grooming ✂️

Aegeans are moderate shedders, and you need to brush and groom them at least once a week to cut down on their getting fur all over your home. Trim your cat’s nails once a month to keep your furniture and walls safe from the cat clawing them.

You should also check your cat’s ears weekly to prevent infections.

Health and Conditions

While these cats are generally pretty healthy, there are a couple of conditions you’ll want to watch out for.

If you think your Aegean cat has any of the conditions above, it’s best to contact your vet right away for diagnosis and treatment.

Male vs. Female

While the boys of this breed seem to be a bit more independent than the girls, they are both curious, loving, confident, and affectionate. The girls seem to be easier to potty train, while the boys are more difficult and stubborn.

In Summary

This concludes our discussion on everything you need to know about the Aegean cat breed. If you’re considering adopting or purchasing one of these gorgeous, sweet felines, then make sure that you’re ready to love it forever, and it will return that love in spades.

Also see: 

• How Much Does an Ashera Cat Cost? Price Guide

• Extinct Cat Breeds You Might Not Know Ever Existed (With Pictures)

Featured Image Credit: Suriya Nathan, Shutterstock