Energy & Playfulness | |
Affection & Handling | |
Likes To Be Alone | |
Vocal | |
Intelligence | |
Health | |
Grooming & Shedding | |
Kid Friendly | |
Other Pets |
Size | Eye Color | Fur |
|---|---|---|
Male: 8-12lbs Female: 8-12lbs | Green | Short Silky, Smooth |
Colors | Patttern | Longevity |
|---|---|---|
Silver, Bronze, Smoke | Spots, Smoke | 9-13 Years |
History
Was the Mau the cat of ancient Egyptian kings and queens? Do they protect the gates to the underworld and rest aside the feet of Osiris & Horus? That is up for debate, but the Egyptian Mau is certainly the only natural domestic cat with spots. While they may date to the times of pharaohs, no one knows for certain.
Mau is the Egyptian word for cat and they Egyptian Mau were known to be in Europe well before WWII. Like many cats in Europe around this time, their numbers were decimated as more focus was likely given to the breeding of dogs that were efficient at war and less attention was devoted to domestic cats to keep barns, shops and houses free of rodents.
The breed was recognized in 1968 by the Cat Fanciers Federation, followed in 1977 by the Cat Fanciers’ Association.
Personality
You can tell an Egyptian Mau from their distinct vocalizations that sound like a deep chirp. They are very devoted to their owners and love to exhibit their hunting abilities. Lots of Egyptian Mau owners have noted that their cats love to bring them fake mouse toys and also have been know to bring the occasional real rodent as an offering.
The Mau can be a very active breed that enjoys climbing furniture and jumping onto tall surfaces. They love being up in higher places like windows, shelves and will appreciate a dedicate cat shelf to climb on. Egyptian Maus are one of the few breeds of domestic cats that seem to enjoy water. It’s best to keep toilet seats down and any fish tanks covered. You shouldn’t be surprised to see water by their bowl because they enjoy a good splash.
Scratching posts are a must for this breed unless you enjoy having your furniture serve as their favorite shredding tool.
The Egyptian Mau prefers their owners and are typically reserved and cold towards strangers. Fun fact. The Egyptian Mau can run at speeds up to 30MPH which makes them the fastest domestic cat breed in existence.
Health
Both pedigreed cats and mixed-breed cats have varying incidences of health problems that may be genetic in nature. Egyptian Maus are generally healthy, but be sure to ask a breeder about the incidence of health problems in her lines and what testing has been done for any that are genetic in nature.
Care
The Egyptian Mau’s coat is easily cared for with weekly combing to remove dead hair and distribute skin oils. A bath is rarely necessary.
The ears are another place where dirt can build up. Make sure to use cotton balls with warm water and gently scrub the interior of theirs ears.
Children And Other Pets
The active and playful Mau is a perfect choice for families with children and cat-friendly dogs. He will play fetch as well as any retriever, learns tricks easily and loves the attention he receives from children who treat him politely and with respect. He’s smart enough to get out of the way of toddlers but loves school-age children because they are a match for his energy level and curiosity.
Nothing scares him, certainly not dogs, and he will happily make friends with them if they don’t give him any trouble. He is a skilled hunter, however, and pet birds or other small animals are probably not safe in his presence. Always introduce any pets, even other cats, slowly and in a controlled setting.
