Ancient Cat Breeds: The Oldest Cat Breeds That Still Exist Even Today

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Your cat might prefer a store-bought treat to hunting their own meals and a comfy spot on the couch instead of the ground outside, but your pampered pet has more in common with wild cats than you might think.

It is believed that domestic cats are the prodigy of an ancient species of wild cat that most likely lived in Asia 10-12 million years ago.

There is a lot of conjecture surrounding how our house cats eventually turned away from their wild roots, but evidence suggests feline domestication first happened around 10,000 years ago. As cats grew closer to humans, they became tamer, and domestic breeds began to emerge.

Today, the Cat Fanciers Association recognizes 45 pedigreed cat breeds. Meanwhile, The International Cat Association acknowledges 71.

Regardless of which organization you ask, each of these individual breeds has its own origin story.

Some are relatively new hybrid breeds, but others are significantly older. There are cat breeds out there that have existed for thousands of years.

It’s hard to put exact dates on when some of these ancient cat breeds originated, but current evidence tells us the following cat breeds are the oldest in the world.

#1 Siamese

Breed Overview
Siamese Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Thailand
Siamese Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
8"- 10"
Siamese Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
8-15 pounds
Siamese Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
15-20 years
Siamese Group: Small to medium-sized short-haired
Siamese Price: $600 - $1200

Easily recognized by their “pointed” coats, clear blue eyes, and large ears, Siamese cats are what is called a “natural” cat breed. This means their coat pattern is a result of a genetic mutation and not human-influenced breeding.

It is believed that these favored felines originated near a sacred temple in what is now Thailand. The earliest known evidence of these distinctive cats comes from a Thai manuscript that has been dated to the 14th century. Entitled “Tamra Maew” (The Cat Book Poems), the text refers to domestic cats with dark faces. It is believed the breed has connections to ancient Thai royalty as well as Buddhist monks.

#2 Abyssinian

Breed Overview
Abyssinian Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Abyssinia (Ethiopia)
Abyssinian Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
8''-10''
Abyssinian Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
6-12 pounds
Abyssinian Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
14-17+ years
Abyssinian Group: Medium-sized short-haired
Abyssinian Price: $200-$1,000

Another ancient cat breed with striking physical features, the Abyssinian most likely comes from Ancient Egypt. These slender felines were highly valued in ancient Egyptian communities and were depicted on pottery and represented in hieroglyphics.

The ancient Abyssinian most likely looked slightly different from its modern prodigy, but the breed is known for its lithe body and large ears. Today, they are exceptionally athletic cats and popular for their rich cinnamon-colored coats.

#3 Norwegian Forest Cat

Breed Overview
Norwegian Forest Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Norway
Norwegian Forest Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
9"- 12"
Norwegian Forest Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
12-16 pounds
Norwegian Forest Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
14-16 years
Norwegian Forest Group: Large long-haired
Norwegian Forest Price: $900-$1,500

While pharaohs fawned over the Abyssinian, it is believed Vikings that lived around 1000 C.E. are mainly responsible for taming the Norwegian Forest Cat. The ancient versions of these large cats were used as pest control on Viking ships.

By keeping the rat population under control, these cats also helped control disease and protect food stores. Their valued positions onboard ships kept them in close contact with humans. It’s also how the breed spread to other areas of the world.

Like other breeds, the original Norwegian Forest Cats most likely looked different than today’s version. One theory suggests the breed is a combination of short-haired Norwegian cats and long-haired cats that were likely brought to Norway by Crusaders. Regardless of how today’s cats got their stunning good looks, it’s one of the most ancient cat breeds in the world.

#4 Japanese Bobtail

Breed Overview
Japanese Bobtail Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Japan
Japanese Bobtail Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
10"-14"
Japanese Bobtail Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
6-10 pounds
Japanese Bobtail Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
9-13+ years
Japanese Bobtail Group: Medium-sized shorthair and longhair
Japanese Bobtail Price: $800-$2,000

While the Norwegian Forest Cat is both an ancient cat breed and one of the largest, the Japanese Bobtail is usually on the smaller size. They typically don’t weigh more than 10 pounds, and their appearance is often compared to a rabbit thanks to the fact their back legs are slightly longer than the front.

The earliest recordings of this native Japanese cat come from wood cuttings and artwork that have been dated to the 6th century. Many people kept these cats because they were believed to bring good luck.

They also played an integral role in the ancient economy by controlling rat populations at vital silkworm farms. At one point, they were even considered part of the ruling class in China, and common citizens were not permitted to keep them as pets.

#5 Siberian

Breed Overview
Siberian Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Russia
Siberian Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
9"- 11"
Siberian Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
17-26 pounds
Siberian Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
12-15 years
Siberian Group: Medium to large long-haired
Siberian Price: $1000-$2000

Native to Russia, the Siberian cat is beloved both in its home country and across the globe. It’s hard to pinpoint when this ancient cat breed first came about, but it plays a starring role in several Russian fairy tales. In many stories, these hardy cats protect children and create openings to alternate worlds.

Magical powers aside, the Siberian is a natural cat breed that evolved to survive in its harsh environment. It has a thick coat and is exceptionally strong and alert. One theory suggests these fluffy cats are the original long-haired felines.

#6 Chartreux

Breed Overview
Chartreux Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
France, Syria
Chartreux Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
8"-11"
Chartreux Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
11-18 pounds
Chartreux Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
11-15 years
Chartreux Group: Large shorthair
Chartreux Price: $500-$2,500

The most widely known origin story for this ancient cat breed involves liquor-making and weapon-forging French monks. The monks supposedly bred this stocky cat breed in monasteries. There’s little proof to this story, however.

What we do know is that these blue cats are mentioned by a French biologist in a textbook published in 1749. It is believed their ancestors were brought to Europe by merchants traveling from eastern countries.

Whether or not the Chartreux was originally bred by monks, history is sure that monks have historically used them for pest control. They were prized for their water repellent fur, hunting abilities, and propensity for silence.

#7 Egyptian Mau

Breed Overview
Egyptian Mau Origin:
? Where this breed was first established.
Egypt
Egyptian Mau Height:
? The typical adult height among individuals of this breed. Height is measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the front paws.
11"-14"
Egyptian Mau Adult Weight:
? The typical adult weight range of this cat breed.
6-14 pounds
Egyptian Mau Life Span:
? The average lifespan of the breed. While life expectancy is fairly consistent across all cat breeds, some breeds tend to live shorter or longer than others.
12-15 years
Egyptian Mau Group: Small to medium-sized shorthair
Egyptian Mau Price: $500-$3,500

Finally, the Egyptian Mau is widely considered to be the most ancient cat breed of them all. It’s impossible to know for certain that this cat breed emerged before all the others, but evidence suggests these ancient cats could have existed as far back as 3,000 years ago.

The earliest known Egyptian Maus were found mummified and buried alongside pharaohs. The belief is that the cats joined deceased royalty to keep them company and guide them into the afterlife.

According to Petfinder, the Egyptian Mau is the only natural domesticated cat breed with spots. Their spots give them a wild look, but they are generally loyal companions to their favorite people. They don’t always like strangers, but if you earn an Egyptian Mau’s trust, you’ll have a lifelong friend.

View Sources
Cats.com uses high-quality, credible sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the claims in our articles. This content is regularly reviewed and updated for accuracy. Visit our About Us page to learn about our standards and meet our veterinary review board.
  1. https://egyptianmaus.co.uk/Origins--and--history.php

  2. https://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/egyptian-mau/

  3. https://www.petfinder.com/cat-breeds/chartreux/

  4. https://cfa.org/siberian/

  5. https://www.dailypaws.com/cats-kittens/cat-breeds/japanese-bobtail

  6. http://www.abyssiniandatabase.com/history.php

  7. https://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/resources/siamese-cat-facts/

  8. https://icatcare.org/advice/the-origins-of-cats/

  9. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0888754307002078

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About Amber King

Amber's pet writing career started when her strong-willed and understandably anxious rescue dog, Copper, inspired her to write about her experiences training and loving such a beloved family member. Since then, she has welcomed more dogs, cats, foster cats, and chickens into her life. She uses her experiences with her own pets as well as lessons learned by volunteering with animal shelters to help other pet people better understand and care for their furry best friends.

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  1. Marybeth

    Enjoyed your informative prose. I can tell you love cats dearly. I envy your position, to live and care for them and to educate other cat lovers on their unique personalities and traits. Thankyou

    Reply