What pets did they have in ancient Egypt?

🐈 What Pets Did They Have in Ancient Egypt? A Glimpse Into the Animal Companions of the Pharaohs

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? For the most part when people envision ancient Egypt the first things that come to mind are the stunning pyramids, the opulent kings and queens, and the perplexing hieroglyphics that remain undeciphered. However, the ancient Egyptians not only paid all their devotion to their gods but also to the animals that shared the human company in temples, on farms, and in houses. Actually, for many Egyptians their pets were no different from family members, thus they were named, collared, and even buried with the owners.

The next question arises What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? Let us delve into the intriguing world of ancient Egyptian pets which consists of the most frequent cats, dogs and even more exotic species like monkeys, ibises and even crocodiles.

1. Cats — The Most Beloved Pets in Ancient Egypt

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? No other animal has been so intimately linked to Egypt as the cat, which in ancient Egyptian means “miu” (which means “to meow”). The cats were pet animals not only because of their beauty and elegance but also because of the hunting skills—mainly of keeping mice and snakes out of houses and grain stores.

Their function, however, was not merely limited to that of pest exterminators. The Egyptians regarded cats as talismans of safeguarding, progeny, and divine favor. They were associated with the deity Bastet, who was often represented as a woman with a cat’s head, symbolizing the triad of home, happiness, and motherhood.

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? Cats were kept as family members in many households, and the owners indulged them with intricate collars of gold, exclusive dishes for their meals, and even offered them as mummies after death—so they could, in turn, be with their owners in the next world. The discovery of an entire cat graveyard by archaeologists, one of which contained at Saqqara a few thousand mummified cats, serves as a solid proof of how divine these creatures were.

2. Dogs — Loyal Guardians and Hunting Companions

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? In the times of ancient Egypt, the dogs were not only meek and mild but also the main helpers of the dead while the cats were in a way the guards and the food. In hieroglyphic writing, dogs were the symbols of loyalty and security because the pharaohs and nobles would always have a dog accompanying them during their hunting or walking.

The breeds among the most luxurious and favorite were the Greyhounds, Basenjis, and Salukis. The dogs were given splendid names such as “Brave,” “Reliable,” or “Regarder of Good Pastures”, and there were even some that were granted the privilege of being buried alongside their owner.

The god Anubis, who took care of the deceased, was often portrayed with a jackal’s head—a not pet dog but a wild animal from the desert—and this manner of depiction indicated the animal’s alien nature. A considerable portion of the Egyptian population thought that dogs were the devils that helped the souls to get to the graves.

3. Monkeys — Playful and Exotic Companions

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? Animals such as monkeys and baboons were seen as exotic and clever pets for the rich and nobles. The latter were usually represented with collars and playing in the domestic scenes depicted on tomb walls.

Monkeys were made the admiration of their cleverness and lively behavior, thus, some were trained for performing tricks or helping in small tasks. As for baboons, they were considered sacred animals of the god Thoth who was the deity of wisdom and writing and was represented as a baboon.

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? Occasionally these animals would be given a place in temple sanctuaries and mummified remains thereof have been unearthed in the sacred burial ground, thus, proving their privileged position among the animals of Ancient Egypt.

4. Birds — Companions of the Sky

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? The ancient Egyptian civilization regarded birds as the foremost indicators of nature. Besides their primary role as food providers (meat and eggs), the vast majority of the Egyptians kept geese, pigeons, and ducks not only for their companionship but also as sacrificial offerings to the gods.

The ibis was, for example, particularly adored as it was believed to be the god Thoth’s, the deity of wisdom and writing, sacred animal. Besides, among the temples built for Thoth thousands of mummified ibises have been found already. The falcon, the incarnation of the sky god Horus, was thus worshipped as a deity, who would grant kingship and protection from the divine.

It is not the case that birds were pets for all Egyptian families, however, they played a considerable role in religion and daily symbolism. Birds were often depicted in tomb paintings flying freely, thereby signifying the soul’s ascension to the afterlife.

5. Rams, Cows, and Crocodiles — Sacred and Symbolic Animals

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? Apart from the usual animals, others were kept for religious or symbolic purposes. For instance, rams were considered to be God Khnum’s animals, bulls were associated with Apis, and crocodiles were linked to the god Sobek.

The presentation of God’s living representatives through holy animals was a common practice in the temples. The Temple of Kom Ombo which was dedicated to God Sobek, was famous for its sacred crocodiles, mummified crocodiles were found by the archaeologists even near those who had—some even—jewelry on them.

It is true that most Egyptians probably would not have such animals as pets but their presence in daily life and worship showed how much the Egyptians had animals in their culture.

6. Other Domestic Animals in Ancient Egypt

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt? Goats, donkeys, and even gazelles were among the animals that Egyptians kept in addition to cats and dogs — the latter two usually completely domesticated and taken care of in estates. Nobles as a sign of royalty and protection sometimes kept lions or cheetahs as pets. Inscriptions from the tombs of the Pharaohs prove that tamed lions, on leashes, were with kings when they went on hunting trips or pointed out the main entrances to the palace as gatekeepers.

On the other hand, the common Egyptians’ usual companions were cats, dogs, and birds — they were less maintenance, more inclined to be with family and the dead relatives and the gods.

What pets did they have in ancient Egypt?: Conclusion — Animals at the Heart of Egyptian Life

So, what pets did they have in ancient Egypt? The response can be as diverse as the community itself. The cats, dogs, monkeys, and ibises, with their different characters and roles, were present in the whole range from the daily life and the gods to the afterlife of the Egyptians.

Not only did the Egyptians adore pets, but they also demigoddesses, painted, and took very good care of those animals who would accompany their owners to the afterlife. Their compassion and respect for animals are some of the most interesting characteristics of ancient Egyptian culture that have come down to us and which clearly prove that even then the bond between humans and animals was very strong.