Cat enthusiasts all across the world will fall in love with the Egyptian Mau because of how unique and impressive they are. In order to provide you with a thorough understanding of all you need to know about Egyptian cats, this article will explore the breed’s physical features, personality and temperament, and care needs.
This is a breed that will create a lasting impression because of its distinctive appearance, welcoming temperament, and playful personality. Whether you’re a seasoned cat owner or a first-time pet parent, Canvas Personalized will give you all the information you need to help you decide whether these adorable kittens are the perfect breed for you.
1. Egyptian Mau Cat Breed Overview
| Origin | Egypt |
| Weight | About 6-14 pounds |
| Length | Up to 16 inches |
| Height | Up to 14 inches |
| Lifespan | 15 to 20 years |
| Coat Color | silver, bronze, smoke, black, caramel, and blue-grey |
| Coat Length | Medium-length short hair. Depending on the color, it could be soft and delicate or fluffy. |
| Eye Color | Green |
| Personality | They are independent but kind and affectionate, as well as playful and energetic. |
History of this Cat Breed
The Egyptian Mau is said to be descended from ancient Egyptian domestic cats. However, clear genetic connections are difficult to prove. As early as 1900 BCE, Egyptian artists depicted domesticated cats with similar spotted patterns. There were several art forms of cats in residential settings by 1450 BCE, showing they had developed close, mutually beneficial connections with humans.
The Egyptian goddess Bastet also became associated with cats. The cult of Bastet persisted in Egypt during the Roman era, and it’s likely that the Romans brought some of these striking spotted cats back to Italy. This is how the ancestors of the Egyptian Mau breed were sent off to Europe. There were cats raised in Italy, Switzerland, and France that resembled the Egyptian cat in the early 20th century, but the breed suffered during World War II and almost went extinct if not for the efforts of a Russian-born nurse living in Rome in the 1950s.
Nathalie Troubetskoy, the nurse, supposedly received a silver-spotted cat from an embassy in Rome. As soon as she realized the kitten was an Egyptian cat, she was smitten with the breed and promised to bring it back to popularity due to the cat’s beauty and pleasant personality. Along with her silver cat Lulu, Troubetskoy also adopted a male cat called Gregorio, and she eventually brought more cats from the Middle East, including a male smoke-colored cat named Geppa. In 1956, she had the first Egyptian Mau litter.
This breed was officially recognized in 1968 by the Cat Fanciers’ Association and the Canadian Cat Association. However, the small number of Egyptian cats in the United States meant that the breed was more susceptible to diseases and defects brought on by inbreeding. That made researchers look for new breeding techniques to increase the population.
Two cats resembling Egyptian Mau were seen at the New Delhi Zoo by Jean S. Mill of the Millwood cattery. In the 1980s, she brought them to the United States and started the Indian breeding line, which was officially accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association.
In 2012, DNA studies linked the Egyptian Mau to other Middle Eastern cat breeds, like the Turkish van, providing more evidence that the breed originated in the Middle East. Even now, there are probably no more than 3,000 Egyptian cats in the world.
What Does This Cat Look Like?
How to identify Egyptian Mau? This cat is famous for its distinctive coat pattern. On the other hand, in contrast to the Ocicat, there was no breeder involved in the creation of the Mau’s coat. Instead, their spots appeared naturally.
These felines have the physique of genuine athletes. They are long and lean with plenty of muscle. Their back legs are just a little longer than their front ones, giving them the look of being on tiptoes while they’re standing perfectly still. These cats are the quickest of the domestic breeds because of their large hind legs and skin flaps that stretch from their flanks to their back knees, allowing them to jump incredible distances.
The Mau is not a tabby cat, but it has the typical spots and a dark dorsal stripe extending from its head to its tail. The Egyptian mau colors coat include silver, bronze, smoke, black, caramel, and blue/pewter. These colors are rare and unique among cat breeds, and they make the Mau stand out from the crowd.
Their heads are somewhat oblong and have either a “scarab beetle” or an “M” form on their forehead, with the latter being more frequent in North American Maus. They have large, rounded eyes that are a striking brilliant green and broad, triangular ears.
>>> It would be best to learn how to train a cat to use a litter box if you have a new Egyptian Mau kitten at home!
2. The Egyptian Mau Personality
| Intelligence | High |
| Friendliness | Medium |
| Kid-Friendly | Medium |
| Pet-Friendly | Medium |
| Affection Level | High |
| Playfulness | High |
| Tendency to Vocalize | Medium |
| Energy Level | High |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Amount of Shedding | Medium |
The Mau is a dog-like breed in many ways, such as its high energy level, excitement for play, and willingness to learn new things. As they are loyal and friendly, they love a bed to wrap up on and cuddle in any warm place—a laptop case, a blanket, beside the fire, or wherever else they can find one.
Their musical voice is another noteworthy aspect. While socializing with their favorite people, they may chirp and chortle and chirrup, making sounds that are neither demanding nor harsh but rather warm and chatty. They have a wide range of vocalizations and can carry on in-depth conversations.
It’s important to give this breed lots of extra space to run, leap, and explore. They should have access to cat trees, scratching posts, toys, and secure indoor areas where they can play and climb.
Egyptian Maus, like other cats, enjoy having frequent access to clean water. Thus, the appearance of a water fountain may serve as a fun distraction while also encouraging kids to increase their water intake.
3. How to Care
Grooming
Regular brushing will help with hair loss and prevent them from chewing copious amounts of hair when grooming, which may cause unpleasant and perhaps harmful hairballs. Even though they don’t shed too much and don’t need a lot of attention from the grooming side.
Diet and Nutrition
These kittens need a quality diet that consists of both wet and dry food. Feeding a kitty a particular diet may be necessary if they have a condition that requires it. A cat’s optimal diet will depend on factors including its lifestyle and level of exercise, both of which a vet can help you evaluate.
Common Health Problems
Health problems, including kidney disease, bladder stones, and lower urinary tract illness, are more likely to appear in Egyptian Maus due to their limited genetic profile in the United States.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a cardiac disorder that may decrease the lives of these felines. This problem may be treated with medicine depending on its severity, and frequent veterinarian exams are essential for tracking the progression of this disease.
Besides, in order to prevent dental disease and gingivitis, cats should have their teeth brushed on a daily basis using cat-friendly toothpaste and see the vet for professional dental work on occasion.
>>> Discover the best cat ear cleaners to keep your new feline’s ears safely and effectively at home!
4. Are These Cats Good for Families?
The Mau is a lively and energetic breed, making him an excellent choice for homes with teenagers and cat-friendly animal friends. He’s perceptive enough to avoid babies, but he adores elementary kids because they satisfy his boundless curiosity and boundless energy.
There is nothing that frightens him, and he is happy to become friends with anybody who doesn’t bother him. But he is an accomplished hunter, so tiny pets like birds or guinea pigs generally shouldn’t be left under his supervision. It is important to gradually introduce any new pets, including new cats, to your home.
5. How Much is an Egyptian Mau?
Adopting a kitten may entail time, effort, and perseverance since they are rather rare. You may discover breed-specific cat rescue groups in your region, or you can look on sites like Adopt-A-Pet and Petfinder. The Egyptian Mau price ranges from $900 to $2500, with the higher range reserved for show-quality or show-ready cats. Kittens with silver spots or bronze spots often sell for $1,200–$1,400.
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To sum up, the Egyptian cat breed is a fascinating and distinctive breed that will stay in your heart forever. The breed is ideal for anybody searching for a loyal and fun-loving pet because of its outstanding good looks, amiable attitude, and energetic behavior. Before bringing one of these special felines into your house, ensure you’ve researched the breed at our Canvas Personalized and found a reliable breeder.
