Egyptian Mau Cats
Cat Facts

Egyptian Mau cats are the only natural spotted domestic cat breed. All other spotted cats were developed by man. This spotted cat is depicted on murals, paintings and sculptures in the temples of Egypt and date back almost 3000 years. Some experts believe that this Egyptian cat is one of the oldest domestic cat breeds. It is possible that the Mau has its origin in the spotted African wildcats which were domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians.

Egyptian Mau cats were revered by the Ancient Egyptians. They were not only respected working cats (mousers) and prized pets - these cats were worshipped and at death they were mummified.

The modern history of the Egyptian Mau starts in the 1900's in Europe where cat breeders from France, Italy and Switzerland developed the breed. Sadly, after World War II very few cats remained. Credit goes to a Russian Princess - Nathalie Troubetskoy who took up the plight of these rare cat breeds in 1956. When The Princess left Rome, where she was living in exile, she took 3 Mau cats with her to the United States where she set up a breeding program.

Characteristics

Their bodies are medium long, athletic, very muscular and heavy boned, but still well proportioned and graceful. The legs are also muscular and the hind legs are longer than the front legs. The Mau has a medium length tail that is thick at the base and tapers slightly towards the end. The male cats are slightly heavier than the females.

The head is wedge-shaped, the muzzle should not be short or pointed and the chin is firm and should not protrude or recede. The neck is muscular and arched. The Egyptian Mau cat's ears are medium to large, alert, slightly pointed, set wide apart and with Lynx tips. Its eyes are almond-shaped and the color always a light 'gooseberry green'. Kittens may have amber eyes which change at around 18 months.

The Egyptian Mau cat's coat is quite distinctive in terms of markings. The 'M' shaped frown marks on the forehead, 'mascara lines' on the cheeks, rings on the tail, 'broken necklace' on the chest, and of course spots on the torso. The spots on this cat vary in shape and size. The spots can be round, irregular or oblong in shape and can be large or small and randomly spotted.

The coat is short with a lustrous sheen and lies flat against the body. The texture of the fur varies according to the color of the fur. The Silver and Bronze Mau's fur is resilient and dense and in the Smoke color Mau, the fur is fine and silky.

These cats come in three different colors:

Smoke (black smoke): All the markings are pitch black. The undercoat is white to pale silver. The ground color is pale silver and all hairs are tipped in black. There must be a visible contrast between the pattern and ground color. The eyes, nose and lips have a characteristic jet black outline.

Silver: The markings are a charcoal color and the undercoat is also white to pale silver. There must be a visible contrast between the pattern (charcoal) and the ground color which is pale silver. The eyes, nose and lips have a characteristic jet black outline

Bronze: The markings are a very dark brown - almost black and the undercoat is described as a warm brown. Once again there must be a good contrast between the dark brown/black patterns and the ground color which is a warm bronze. The underside of the cat is a creamy-ivory color. In this instance, the eyes, nose and lips are outlined in a dark brown.

To ensure that your cat complies with the cat breeds standards pertinent to your country (or region), contact one of the following all breeds of cat governing bodies, associations, councils or federations.

Personality and Temperament

The Egyptian Mau cat is an intelligent cat, lively, playful and active. They are affectionate and gentle with their owners but can be shy and reserved with strangers.

These spotted domestic cats have wonderful personalities. They are sociable and gregarious and love the company of their humans and other animals. They are interactive and like to be involved in everything around the home. They love to sit on your lap or even ride on your shoulder.

Egyptian Mau Cats can be possessive of their toys and owners but are exceptionally loyal. They do need to be taught at kittenhood that play does not include aggression as they do sometimes respond aggressively. The Egyptian Mau expresses its happiness by chortling (bird-like chirping), kneading and wiggling their tails furiously.

The Egyptian Mau cat is a striking cat in every respect - with early training and mutual respect you are assured of a loyal companion!

Egyptian Mau Cat Information

Would they suit a home with Children?

Yes, they are child friendly cats, but younger children need to be taught how to handle cats and kittens.

Are they Pet Friendly?

Yes, the Egyptian Mau responds well to other cats and dogs. Always introduce the new cat gradually and always respect the rights of the resident pets.

Do they prefer Indoor or Outdoor living?

This is an active and somewhat boisterous cat that would be best suited to a large, safe and escape proof garden or cat run. They thrive in an adventure zone filled with toys, cat gyms, cat scratchers, tree stumps and non toxic plants.

They will adapt to apartment living provided they are not left alone for extended periods or confined. They should only be kept in an apartment if they have the company of other pets and humans. An indoor adventure zone is a must and will assist in preventing boredom. A bored cat can be destructive.

Cat Grooming and Cat Care

The Egyptian Mau is a low maintenance cat breed, but they would benefit from a weekly brushing to remove all dead skin and shedding hair. Our cat care pages provide comprehensive information on cat hygiene.

Cat Diseases and Health Problems associated with this cat breed

Generally this is a healthy cat, but certain lines are prone to:

• Feline Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Asthma
• They may also suffer from food allergies which causes dermatitis

Like all cats they do suffer from the common feline diseases and should be vaccinated annually to prevent these. Cat insurance for your cat is recommended.

Special Dietary Requirements

They love to eat, which if not controlled, your cat can become overweight. They should be fed a well-balanced diet. The food can be dry, semi-moist, raw or canned. If your cat presents with a food allergy, you will need to visit your veterinarian for advice on a hypoallergenic diet. Fresh water daily is essential.

What is the average Weight of the Egyptian Mau?

Males tend to be larger than the females. The average weight for these domestic cats is between 2.5 to 5 kg (5.5 to 11 lbs)

What is the Life Expectancy for the Egyptian Mau?

Their average life span is 15 years. Indoor cats do live longer as they are exposed to fewer environmental factors. Good diet, exercise and annual check-ups that include vaccinations, dental care and frequent de-worming will extend your cat's life expectancy. Find out more about this in our chapter on how long do cats live.

Related Cat Pages:

Egyptian Mau Cat Pictures - a gallery of Egyptian Mau Kittens photos

Egyptian Mau Breeder - a directory of international cat breeders

Picture of Cat Courtesy of:

© Photographer Irene McCullagh www.irene-mccullagh.com