What kinds of pets did the ancient Egyptians have?
Pets in Ancient Egypt were not only beloved companions but also held spiritual, social, and functional roles within society. The ancient Egyptians had a deep appreciation for animals, integrating them into both their daily lives and their religious beliefs.
READ MORE: 10 Major Events in Ancient Egyptian History
Types of Pets in Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egyptians kept a variety of animals as pets, including cats, dogs, monkeys, birds, and even exotic species such as cheetahs and gazelles. Each type of pet had its own unique role and significance.
Cats
A mummy of a cat.
Cats were the most iconic pets in ancient Egypt. Known as miu or miut in the Egyptian language, they were valued for their ability to protect granaries by hunting rodents.
Cats were associated with the goddess Bastet, the deity of home, fertility, and protection. Cats were revered as sacred animals and harming them was considered a serious offense.
Dogs
Dogs were loyal companions and often served as hunting partners or guards. They were also associated with Anubis, the god of mummification and the afterlife.
Dogs were sometimes buried alongside their owners, highlighting their importance as cherished members of the family.
Anubis.
Monkeys
Monkeys, particularly baboons, were kept as pets by the elite. They were seen as playful and intelligent animals and sometimes depicted in art performing tasks or engaging in amusing activities. Baboons were also associated with Thoth, the god of wisdom and writing.
Thoth is portrayed holding a book and stylus, adorned with a crown resembling the moon.
Birds
Birds such as ducks, geese, pigeons, and falcons were kept as both pets and symbols of religious significance. Falcons were sacred to Horus, the sky god, and ibises were connected to Thoth.
Exotic Animals
Wealthy Egyptians and royalty sometimes kept exotic animals like cheetahs, lions, and gazelles as status symbols. These animals were often depicted in royal art to signify power and prestige.
Roles of Pets in Society
Pets in ancient Egypt served various roles that went beyond mere companionship.
Cats controlled pests like rats and mice, ensuring the safety of stored grain and food supplies. Dogs assisted in hunting expeditions and guarded homes and livestock.
Pets were often seen as status symbols, especially exotic animals and certain breeds of dogs or cats. The wealthier the owner, the more exotic their pet was likely to be. Owning pets also demonstrated care and compassion, traits highly regarded in Egyptian society.
Many pets were associated with deities and played a role in religious rituals. For instance, cats linked to Bastet were believed to bring protection and good fortune to their owners. Baboons and ibises were sometimes mummified and offered to gods as votive offerings.
A depiction of Bastet
Care and Treatment of Pets
The care and treatment of pets in ancient Egypt reveal the high regard Egyptians had for their animals.
Pets were fed well, with their diets tailored to their species. Cats and dogs were given leftovers from family meals, while birds and monkeys had diets appropriate to their needs. Pets often lived indoors with their owners and were provided with comfortable sleeping arrangements.
The ancient Egyptians’ treatment of pets set a precedent for animal domestication and care in other ancient civilizations, including Greece and Rome.
Evidence suggests that Egyptians had knowledge of veterinary practices. Injured animals, including pets, were treated with care and sometimes depicted wearing splints or bandages.
Pets were sometimes mummified after death, signifying their importance to their owners. Mummified animals, particularly cats, were also used as offerings to deities.
Representation in Art and Literature
Pets frequently appeared in Egyptian art, texts, and inscriptions, showcasing their prominence in daily and spiritual life.
Paintings and sculptures often depicted pets alongside their owners in domestic or ceremonial settings. Cats were commonly shown sitting under chairs, while dogs were depicted hunting or guarding. It must also be noted that pharaohs and nobles were sometimes portrayed with exotic pets to emphasize their power and wealth.
Pets occasionally featured in Egyptian literature, including instructional texts and stories. Their roles varied from being companions to symbols of moral lessons.
Tombs of the elite often included statues, carvings, and paintings of their pets. Some pets were buried with their owners to accompany them in the afterlife.
Religious Significance
The spiritual connection between pets and the gods reinforced their importance in ancient Egyptian culture.
Many Egyptian gods were associated with specific animals, such as Bastet (cats), Anubis (dogs), Horus (falcons), and Thoth (ibises and baboons). This association elevated the status of these animals in society.
Discoveries of pet mummies, tomb paintings, and artifacts provide valuable insights into the lives and beliefs of ancient Egyptians.
Animals, both living and mummified, were used in religious rituals. Cats, in particular, were bred and mummified in large numbers as offerings to Bastet.
Pets sometimes played roles in Egyptian mythology, symbolizing virtues such as loyalty, protection, and wisdom.
The Mummy of Maatkare Mutemhat
The mummy of Maatkare Mutemhat included a smaller mummy of her pet monkey, highlighting the significance of pets in life and death.
Maatkare (Mutemhat) served as a notable ancient Egyptian high priestess in the 21st Dynasty, holding the exalted position of God’s Wife of Amun. This rank granted her extended religious authority and ceremonial influence, reflecting her pivotal role within Theban worship and broader politics.
Amun: Origin Story, Family, Meaning, Symbols, Power, & Facts
Did you know…?
The origin of the word ‘cat’ derives from the North African quattah, influencing words like chat (French) and gato (Spanish). “Pussy” may originate from Pasht, another name for Bastet.
Conclusion
Pets in ancient Egypt were far more than mere animals; they were integral to the fabric of society, serving practical, social, and spiritual roles. The ancient Egyptians’ bond with their pets was characterized by affection, respect, and reverence, reflected in their art, literature, and religious practices.
Questions and Answers
Why were pets significant in ancient Egypt?
Pets were seen as divine gifts entrusted to humans during their lifetimes. Upon death, they were believed to return to the divine realm. Pets were treated with care, affection, and reverence, often receiving mummification rites similar to their owners.
Were animals worshipped as deities in ancient Egypt?
Scholars debate whether animals were worshipped as deities, but it is clear that pets were deeply loved and cherished, much like pets today.
Statue of Horus
What roles did dogs play in ancient Egyptian society?
Dogs were hunters, guards, and loyal family companions. Their name, iwiw, mimicked their bark. Dogs were often buried with their owners to provide companionship in the afterlife and were associated with Anubis, the god of the afterlife.
READ MORE: The Role of Anubis in the Egyptian Pantheon
What breeds of dogs were common in ancient Egypt?
Common breeds included the Basenji, Greyhound, Saluki, and Pharaoh Hound. These dogs were often depicted in tomb paintings and sculptures.
How were dogs mourned in ancient Egypt?
Families expressed grief by shaving their eyebrows. Dogs were mummified with great care and buried ceremoniously, sometimes in dedicated cemeteries like the one at Saqqara.
Why were cats special in ancient Egyptian culture?
Cats symbolized protection, grace, and fertility. They were associated with the goddess Bastet, believed to bring blessings, and were practical companions that kept homes free of pests.
How did ancient Egyptians treat cats after their death?
Mummified cats were buried, especially at Bubastis, the cult center of Bastet. Killing a cat, even accidentally, was punishable by death, underscoring their sacred status.
What exotic pets did ancient Egyptians keep?
Wealthy Egyptians kept falcons, ibises, gazelles, and monkeys. Falcons symbolized divine power, ibises were linked to wisdom, and monkeys served as both companions and status symbols.
How were exotic pets treated in early and later periods?
Early periods showed signs of mistreatment, like injuries from tethering. Later, Egyptians refined their care, resulting in fewer signs of harsh treatment.
What was the religious significance of pets?
Pets were associated with gods: cats with Bastet, dogs with Anubis, and ibises with Thoth. Crocodiles, linked to Sobek, were pampered in temples and mummified after death.
What role did pets play in the afterlife?
Pets were believed to join their owners in the afterlife. Tomb paintings and mummified remains depict this belief, showing pharaohs and commoners with their beloved animals in the Field of Reeds.
