Egyptian Mau: All You Need to Know About Egyptian Mau Cat Breed

When welcoming a new feline friend into your home, it is rarely as simple as picking the one you think is most adorable. Researching personality traits and needs is necessary to determine whether a cat fits into your family dynamic. Unsurprisingly, you are researching the Egyptian Mau cat as the next possible addition to your family. Fortunately for you, we have compiled an all-you-need-to-know guide right here.

Characteristics

The following are the main characteristics shown by the Egyptian Mau cat:

Characteristic	Description
Height	11-14 inches
Weight	6-14 pounds
Lifespan	12-15 years
Color	Silver, bronze, or smoky with a tabby pattern
Group	Small/Medium Short-haired
Temperament	Affectionate, loyal, alert
Intelligence	High
Social skills	Very social with people
People skills	Sociable and friendly

Interesting Facts

• The Egyptian Mau loves to play in the water, unlike most cats!
• The Egyptian Mau is the only domestic cat with natural spots on their coat!
• Black and pewter Egyptian Maus are considered pet quality but are not show quality.

Breed History

Believe it or not, there is no concrete proof that the Egyptian Mau cat is the breed Egyptians worshipped all those years ago. The more likely truth is that the Egyptian Mau comes from the African wild cat.

However, if you look at old Egyptian tombs, there are plenty of depictions of cats that look a lot like the modern Egyptian Mau cat, and we know there were cats around back then. The feline friends we know and love today started as a snake and rodent pest control but quickly ascended to the role of gods to many ancient Egyptians.

The fact that the modern Egyptian Mau looks so much like these tomb depictions imply it may well have descended from an ancient Egyptian breed, which would also make it among the oldest known breeds on Earth.

The world almost suffered a feline disaster during World War II when the Egyptian Maus were nearly wiped from the planet. However, the breed was rescued and bred by an exiled Russian princess named Nathalie Troubetskoy, who transported some to the US in the 1950s and campaigned to save them. At most 20 years later and the Egyptian Mau was a recognized TICA breed. Fast forward to the modern day, and the Egyptian Mau is a popular household companion.

Temperament and Personality

If you are looking for a confident and friendly bundle of energy, then the Egyptian Mau is the cat for you. They have strong hunting instincts and love playing games that involve that kind of thing. If you give them a toy to chase, they will be amused for hours.

However, that does mean you may encounter the odd present from time to time (rodents). It is important not to misconstrue these gifts, though. The Egyptian Mau loves to hunt and, as their favorite human, they want to show off their prizes. Feel free to praise them for a job well done and eliminate the present.

The Egyptian Mau cat is often compared to a dog due to their similar personalities. Not too many cats will greet you at the door after a long day at work, but the Egyptian Mau will. They even enjoy the odd game of fetch!

As we outlined before, the Egyptian Mau has a lot of energy to burn, so it’s important you keep them active. If you don’t, that energy may be put into rather problematic activities.

The Egyptian Mau has a rather distinctive meow, which is more like a chirp. While they will be friendly with their family members, it may take a little bit to get used to any guests. But they always at least try to get to know someone. If you are chosen as one of their favorites, the Egyptian Mau will give you lots of attention, and expect it back in return.

Feeding and Diet

Like most cats, the Egyptian Mau is always at risk of obesity, so you need to watch how much you feed them. We recommend talking to your vet to come up with a specific diet plan for your cat, depending on their age and activity levels.

You will be happy to hear that Egyptian Mau cats do not have any specific nutritional needs. However, they do best on a high-quality diet. A blend of wet and dry food would be ideal for an Egyptian Mau; more specifically, a brand with good protein and limited carbohydrates would serve your cat well. The main ingredient of this food should be meat or fish, the real kind, rather than filler or replacements.

It is also always a good idea to purchase food that is aimed towards your cat’s age range to ensure they are getting all the stuff they need in order to remain healthy. You should also cater the portion size to the size of your Egyptian Mau cat and their energy levels – to avoid them becoming overweight or malnourished.

Grooming and Shedding

The Egyptian Mau requires brushing once or twice a week, which can be used as a bonding experience for the cat and its owner.

You will be happy to know that the Egyptian Mau is pretty easy to groom, thanks to its short and fine coat. They do not shed much and often keep themselves naturally clean. However, you can still treat them to the occasional bath to keep them extra fresh.

While you’re there, you should also take the chance to brush teeth and trim their nails to keep their health at optimum. We also recommend checking/cleaning their ears to prevent the build-up of dirt and bacteria.

Known Health Problems

The Egyptian Mau cat breed is generally very healthy, but you should still keep an eye out for common problems, which can include:

• Kidney disease;
• Urolithiasis;
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
• Patellar luxation;
• Periodontal disease.

Regular vet check-ups are necessary with any animal, no matter their track record of health. One thing to look out for, which is standard with many cats, is signs of dirt building up in the ears, which can lead to a possible infection. You could also look to converse with your vet about a tooth brushing plan for your Egyptian Mau. Our general advice would be to always be on the lookout for changes in their behavior or any signs of pain/distress.

Exercise

Egyptian Mau cats are often bundles of energy. You will likely see them climbing, running, jumping, and chasing all day long. They actually have the domestic cat land speed record at around 30 miles per hour!

We recommend playing active games with your Egyptian Mau to keep them active, healthy, and stimulated. This can include using laser pointers for them to chase, playing fetch, or investing in toys and puzzles for them to use. Having another pet can also give them a playmate to wear each other out.

They can be trained to wear a leash, which gives you a chance to go on walks with them and bond. We also recommend scratching posts and a tower for them to climb, although they may also use other things around the house, like shelves and cupboards, to watch from above.

READ MORE: How Much Exercise Does a Cat Need?

Adoption

Because they are so rare and tricky to get your hands on, the chances of finding one in a shelter or adoption agency are pretty slim. Of course, we always recommend giving a home to a cat who needs one rather than purchasing a bred kitten, but if you have your heart set on an Egyptian Mau, that may prove tricky.

If you want to try and find an Egyptian Mau adoption, these are good places to start:

• Hope for Paws
• Best Friends Animal Society

Breeders

This is your best chance of finding an Egyptian Mau local to you. The Egyptian Mau is quite a rare cat to find across North America, with there only a handful of well-respected breeders. It may take a fair bit of searching to find one. Some simple research into your local area should reveal some breeding options. Always select a breeder who has good reviews to ensure that you are actually getting a healthy Egyptian Mau kitten rather than something else.

READ MORE: 15 Rarest Cat Breeds

Conclusion

And there we have it, everything you need to know about the Egyptian Mau cat breed. They truly are a joy to have around the family home and will be a welcome addition to your group. If you have any further questions, feel free to post a message in the comments section below. We wish you all the luck with your new pet.

FAQs: