Cyprus Cat Breed Information

Group

Short Haired

Weight

3.6-7.2 kg

Length

28-43 cm

Lifespan

12-15 years

Jump To

About the Cyprus Cat

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

If the name doesn’t give it away, this cat breed is a natural breed that was developed without human intervention within Cyprus. As some of the mixed and purebred breeds often rely on humans to interact and help make it happen, this breed happened simply through nature itself.

They’re domestic cats mainly found across – you guessed it – the island of Cyprus. These Cypriot cats are known for being super playful and eager to meet anyone and everyone they come across.

With a sociable personality, they’re a great option for a domesticated household pet. If you’re considering a Cyprus cat, here are some useful things you should know about this particular breed.

What Is the History & Origin of the Cyprus Cat?

The Cyprus cat is one that has an ancient history and dates back to ancient Cypriot wildcats, which span back from Egyptian cats by around 4,000 years. All the way back to the 4th century is when this cat breed from Cyprus was said to be imported to a Byzantine monastery. Much like many cats today, the breed was imported to help rid vermin and hunt snakes.

Whilst there are many stray cats found in Cyprus, many of them have made their way into shelters where you can adopt them. This cat has always had close associations with humans. In fact, archaeologists once found a 9,500-year-old grave that had a cat alongside human remains. Even cat owners back then were devoted to their pets!

What Is a Cyprus Cat Breed?

The Cyprus cats were developed by nature and are a landrace, rather than being a standard breed that most cats are classed as. Cyprus cats tend to be slender and tall in shape and size, with a thick coat that varies in length. It comes in nearly all colours and patterns of fur, which means it often gets confused with other cat breeds.

As such, they’re quite a generic-looking breed that many modern cats look like nowadays.

Who Is a Cyprus Cat Best For?

Cyprus cats are best fits for families with young kids, as they’re more likely than often to be around the home a lot. However, as long as it’s an active household, you should have no problem with giving this cat type a home.

What Does a Cyprus Cat Look Like?

Cyprus cats have quite the generic appearance, which often gets them confused for other breeds that look similar or fit the category of their coat type, colour and pattern. They have a somewhat wedge-shaped head and big, bold eyes.

Coat

The thickness of the purebred Aphrodite cats descended from the Island of Cyprus is one that varies seasonally still to this day. They tend to have a fairly thick coat, which has made them fairly adaptable to many climates.

Colours

The Cyprus cat is one that’s often found in a range of colours. The topcoat can tend to be solid or bi-colour. The range of colours that it comes in can often get them confused with other cat breeds as a result.

Patterns

Again, just like their colour, they can have a range of patterns on their coat.

Cyprus Cat Grooming & Shedding

When it comes to characteristics Cyprus cats are often thick-haired, meaning they’ll shed quite regularly. This means they require proper nutrition and plenty of grooming. When you groom them regularly, you’ll be able to make the shedding more manageable and less prone to going everywhere around the home.

Regular ear checks are important to check for any dirt or redness that could indicate an ear infection. Taking them to the vet regularly is also essential.

How Do Cyprus Cats Behave? A Look at Their Temperament and Personality

It should be noted that these cats require attention due to their energetic activity levels and that they need a living arrangement that is big enough for them to run around in. That means homes that have larger interior spaces or outdoor spaces are ideal.

Regular playtime is important with their human companion, and they’ll want daily exercise to avoid them developing behavioural problems.

They’re loving felines that will enjoy being picked up and handled. Plenty of attention from their human owner is their love language.

Living Needs

Ample space is important for this cat. They love the interaction and being involved with whatever social activities are going on in the household. Making sure they’re given enough attention and that they’re not being ignored for too long is what will satisfy your Cyprus cat.

Getting a cat tree to interact and play with is a good idea to help keep them physically satisfied when you’re out.

What Are Common Habits and Activity Levels of Cyprus Cats?

As a fairly active and playful feline, you’ll get a lot of fun and love out of these cats. Due to the historically hunting comparatively large prey to other cats, they do desire a considerable amount of activity in their day-to-day routine to keep them satisfied.

Habits

They love to roam and explore, meaning you’ll need a sizeable space for them to do so. The Saint Nicholas cat enjoys being around others, so they won’t like it if you’re gone all hours of the day.

Activity level

To cater to their exercise needs, make sure you’re giving them plenty of toys so that they can have playtime regardless of whether you’re playing with them or not. It’ll certainly help to cater to the athletic and energetic variety of this cat.

Vocalness

The Saint Helen cat is considered to be somewhat of a vocal cat. Whilst it’s not going to be constantly meowing, it does tend to be fairly talkative, so this is important to note when it comes to your preference of vocalness for a pet.

What Is the Weight, Height, and Size of a Cyprus Cat?

The Cyprus cat, known traditionally as the Saint Helen cat, will often vary when it comes to exact sizing. You may find that some are slightly larger or smaller than others.

Height

The average Cyprus cat reaches a height of around 28-43cm. Again, like their weight, their height can also vary when it comes to this type of cat.

Weight

Most cats of this breed will weigh between 3.6 and 7.2kg. A Cypriot cat, just like any other cat breed, is prone to weight gain if they overeat, so make a note of this average weight.

Size

These Saint Nicholas cats are medium in size, making them an ideal cat for the average household.

Are Cyprus Cats Easy to Train?

When it comes to training these wonderful cats, it’s easy enough to train them with the right method. Cats tend to do well with training when it comes to using clickers or bells. The trick or action you’re trying to get them to do is reinforced with the repeated sound that’s given every time they get something right.

They pick up training fairly easily. Patience and persistence are key to the success of training your feline.

Does the Cyprus Cat Have Any Common Health Issues?

Modern domesticated Cyprus cats are considered to be fairly healthy and don’t have breed-specific issues that a lot of cats would typically encounter throughout their life. This is one of the benefits of Cyprus cats developed by nature – they avoid a lot of the genetic diseases and mutations that can happen by mixing and crossing breeds.

Of course, it’s always good to make sure you take your cat regularly to the vets for check-ups. Like any other pets, they are prone to feline infectious peritonitis and other viral diseases, so you should get your cat vaccinated against these conditions. Likewise, they can carry pathogens of zoonotic diseases, including toxoplasmosis, so if you’re planning a pregnancy, get your cat tested for Toxoplasma gondii.

What Is the Lifespan of a Cyprus Cat?

The average lifespan for a Cyprus cat can vary, but typically, they’ll be one breed that uses up all of their nine lives to the fullest! The average lifespan for a Cyprus cat is 12 to 15 years old. This is a great lifespan for cats in general and gives you plenty of time as their owner with them, making memories.

How Much Does a Cyprus Cat Need to Be Fed?

Cyprus cats are well accustomed to meat, so it’s important that you adapt their diet to provide enough meat and nutrients to keep them sustained throughout the day. Around two meals each day should be enough for adult Cyprus cats. For kittens, you may want to stretch out the meals over the course of the day as they’ll be hungry a lot more often.

How Much Can You Expect to Pay for a Cyprus Cat in Australia?

The average price for Cyprus kittens will be around $300-$600, depending on the breeder that you pick. Whilst breeders can help to provide a healthier pet in some cases; it might be worth checking out the shelters as there are likely lots of cats and kittens who need adopting.

Cyprus Cat FAQs

How do I tell if my cat is a Cyprus?

Cyprus cats can be distinguished by their thick hair and athletic build. Whilst that’s not the most specific of descriptions and could identify many cats with that information, most of them are found within Cyprus, so many will know of their origin when they come to adopt them.

Are Cyprus cats rare?

Despite them being quite a unique cat due to their natural development, they are in high supply. Cyprus is known for its population of strays, and in fact, the cat population within Cyprus is higher than the number of humans on the island!

Are Cyprus cats good with dogs?

As one of their many personality traits, Cyprus cats are friendly, and they’ve also got energy levels to rival some dogs. They love being around other cats, as well as dogs. So if you have a household with both, these cats will fit in well.