Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau: Breed Information and Characteristics

The intriguing and historic Egyptian Mau cat breed is renowned for its gracefulness, agility, and eye-catching spotted coat. Because they are rare, have special traits, and require special breeding care, they are rather pricey. Some claim that related spotted cat breeds won over the hearts of the ancient Egyptians. It must have fled with it if this was successful!

The graceful spotted cat breeds known as the Egyptian Mau has a lineage that some claim dates back 3,000 years to cats whose pictures were displayed in ancient Egyptian temples and corridors. The ancient Egyptian word for cat is where the name "mau" originates. It is renowned for its agility and can run up to 48 km/h, making it one of the quickest cats!

Briefly on Their Background

An ancient Egyptian breed is the mau.  According to The Egyptian Mau Club, a large portion of the spotted cat breeds found in ancient Egyptian artwork are believed to be the ancestors of the modern Egyptian mau. The origin of the Egyptian mau is unknown, with hypotheses ranging from the Nile basin to western Europe, although it is undeniable that cats that closely resemble the mau have been portrayed in art.

When Russian princess Nathalie Troubetskoy, who was exiled, brought three Egyptian maus with her to Italy and later New York City in 1956, the cat gained wider public recognition. Since then, the breed's standing around the world has progressively increased.

In 1977, the CFA awarded the breed championship recognition. Despite their popularity among show ancient cat breeds owners and breeders due to their grace and beauty, Egyptian maus are still a rare breed, with only 200 or so Egyptian mau kittens registered annually.

Their Appearance

The Egyptian Mau cat is notable for her speckled coat, just as the ocicat. The mau, in contrast to the ocicat, was not produced by a breeder. Rather, the Egyptian mau developed her spots organically.

A real athlete's build, these loyal feline companions are long, lean, and muscular. When standing upright, they appear to be on tiptoes because their hind legs are little longer than their front legs. They are the fastest of the domestic cat species and excellent jumpers thanks to their large hind legs and an extra skin flap that extends from their flank to their back knees.

The mau is gifted with the well-known spots instead of the typical tabby markings, and they also have a dark dorsal stripe that extends from the top of her head to the tip of their tail. Black, caramel, smoke, silver, bronze, and pewter are the six hues that are available for Mau jackets; the last three are the rarest.

Traditionally, their slightly rectangular heads have either a "scarab beetle" marking on the forehead or a "M" form, with the latter being more prevalent among maus in North America. Their eyes are a gorgeous bright green, slightly almond in shape, and their ears are broad-based and spaced fairly widely apart.

Their Temperament

The Egyptian Mau are wise and loyal feline companions. This loving disposition isn't limited to two-legged family members; playful Egyptian maus are fantastic with kids who understand how to appropriately engage with cats. An Egyptian mau gets along well with four-legged family members if she is socialized with other cats and canines that are appropriate for cats from a young age.

Look elsewhere if you want a peaceful lap cat that will spend the entire day napping in the sun. Giving your Egyptian mau opportunities to exhaust themself is the most crucial thing you can do to make them happy. These ancient cat breeds require playing with their owners, cat wheels to run on, and cat trees to climb because they are active and athletic.

These cats can be trained to walk on a harness for safe outdoor use, so don't be scared to take your mau outside. Egyptian maus like to see things from above, above the activity. They will therefore probably build their own high cat perch on top of a refrigerator or bookshelf if they aren't given one like a cat tree, shelf, or hammock.

Egyptian maus require a lot of family care because they are gregarious cats. However, they are self-sufficient enough to function well on their own if you must spend a lot of time away from home.

Essentials for Caring Your Mau

Egyptian maus are meticulous enough to require little brushing, but they also shed enough to be removed from the list of "hypoallergenic" cats. But they're a breed that likes to be brushed. Therefore, doing this once or twice a week is a terrific way to plan some special bonding time and keep on top of their shedding.

Be cautious while taking an Egyptian mau kitten home, just like you would with any other cat. Make sure she has food and drink bowls, a clean litter box, and a cozy bed.

Health Considerations

According to the CFA, crossbreeding with the Egyptian Mau cat since the 20th century has done a fantastic job of driving the majority of common cat diseases to the side. As they get older, they are still susceptible to diseases like periodontal disease and patellar luxation, but none of these are major issues for this species.

All you need is just to schedule routine veterinary checkups to maintain your mau in optimal condition.And routinely brush their teeth, clean their ears, and clip their nails.

Final Thoughts on the Egyptian Mau

One of the rarest domestic cats is the Egyptian Mau. Ancient cat breeds lovers all over the world are drawn to this breed because of its elegant body, naturally spotted coat, and historical connections to ancient Egypt. This fascinating breed is celebrated for its intellect, athleticism, and strong familial ties in addition to its unique sleek-looking appearance.

These loyal feline companions do best in homes with lots of activity and opportunities for mental and physical stimulation. It gives devotion and amusing company to owners who are patient and watchful. The breed provides a very fulfilling bond, demanding time and care.

You must be interested in this amazing breed if you are reading this page. We give our kittens the love and attention they need to grow up to be content members of your family. A healthy, vaccinated, and well-mannered Egyptian Mau kitten may be found at Happy Paws!