The Egyptian Mau originated as a landrace breed in Egypt. They are one of the few naturally occurring domestic cat breeds. The Egyptian Mau’s ancestry traces back to African wildcats.
Introduction Egyptian Mau Cat Breed
The Egyptian Mau is an active, athletic cat that bonds closely with their family. They have a muscular build, large ears, and expressive gooseberry green eyes. The Mau’s most defining feature is their short, spotted coat reminiscent of leopards. While not excessively vocal, they communicate through chirping sounds and their expressive gaze. This is an intelligent yet independent breed.
Affectionate with Family: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Amount of Shedding: ⭐⭐
General Health: ⭐⭐⭐
Potential for Playfulness: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Tendency to Vocalize: ⭐⭐
Kid-Friendly: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Friendly Toward Strangers: ⭐⭐
Easy to Groom: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Intelligence: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Pet Friendly: ⭐⭐
- Appearance: Spotted or striped short coat, medium muscular build, large ears, gooseberry green eyes.
- Characteristics: Intelligent, active, athletic and agile. Devoted to family while aloof with strangers.
- Popularity: Rare, ranking 44th most popular breed.
- Temperament: Active, playful and energetic. Bonds closely with family. Not overly cuddly.
- Lifespan: 12-15 years.
- Coat Color: Silver, bronze or smoke colored spotted tabby coat.
- Breed History: Natural landrace breed originating in Egypt. Descended from African wildcats.
Caring for an Egyptian Mau Cat Breed
Food:
- High protein, meat-based diet best. Canned or raw food with added taurine.
- Moderate portions to prevent obesity. Limit treats.
- Provide constant access to fresh, clean water.
Environment:
- Tall cat trees and perches to climb. Open shelves to leap between.
- Interactive toys to keep their agile minds and bodies engaged.
- Outdoor access allows them to climb, run, and watch birds. Supervise for safety.
Grooming:
- Weekly brushing to control shedding of their short, fine coat.
- Trim nails every 2-3 weeks. Check ears for buildup.
- Minimal grooming needs overall. Wipe eyes if discharge builds up.
Take Care Method: Engage Egyptian Maus daily in active play and moderate training to challenge their intelligent minds. Respect their independence but show consistent affection.
Adopting/Buying an Egyptian Mau
- Locations of Popularity: Most popular in Europe, North America, and their native Egypt.
- Average Price: $600 – $1200 USD from reputable breeder. More for show quality cats.
- Adoption/Rescue: Check Egyptian Mau-specific rescues and shelters. May need to widen search for this rare breed.
What to Check Before Adopting:
- General Health: Should be fit, active, and free of discharge from eyes/nose. Check for fleas, ear mites.
- Vaccine Status: Kittens need FVRCP and rabies boosters. Adults should be up-to-date.
- Medical History: Breeder should provide medical records. Watch for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Preparing for an Egyptian Mau
Here are a few tips to prepare for welcoming your new Egyptian Mau cat:
Cat-proof your home by securing screens, storing breakables out of reach, keeping toilet lids down.
Stock up on scratching posts, interactive cat toys, puzzle feeders to keep their agile minds engaged.
Find a trusted cat-friendly vet for their preventative care and have an initial visit scheduled.
Quality cat food designed for active breeds. Portion control prevents obesity. Always provide fresh water.
- Common Diseases: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia.
- Recommended Vaccines: FVRCP, FeLV, rabies and any other advised by your vet.
Popular Names
Choose exciting names that match this cat’s wildcat-esque nature:
- Female: Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Isis, Bastet, Nala, Ariel, Jasmine, Leia
- Male: Tut, Anubis, Osiris, Simba, Rajah, Mufasa, Obi, Luke
Do Egyptian Maus like going outside rather than staying in?
Yes, cats love going outside to climb, run and survey their territory. Outdoor access should always be supervised for their safety though.
Are Egyptian Maus smart cats?
Extremely. cats are highly intelligent and can even be trained to walk on a leash and play fetch. Use puzzle toys to challenge their bright minds.
How many types of Egyptian Maus are there?
There are only two coat patterns: spotted and striped. All have gooseberry green eyes and a light colored underside.
How to stop an Egyptian Mau from biting?
Say “no” firmly during biting and ignore them briefly after. Redirect biting urge onto toys instead. Reward gentle play.
How to stop an Egyptian Mau from scratching furniture?
Provide plenty of sturdy scratching posts. Praise them for using appropriate surfaces. Use cat-safe deterrent sprays on furniture. Trim their nails regularly.
How to socialize and raise a friendly Egyptian Mau?
A: Socialize kittens young through positive experiences with people, pets and environments. Continued socialization helps them become friendlier with strangers.
How to train an Egyptian Mau?
Use rewards like treats or play to positively reinforce desired behaviors. Engage their intelligence through clicker training and learning tricks.
How often should an Egyptian Mau see the vet?
Annual exams are recommended, with twice yearly senior checkups over age 7. Anytime they seem unwell. Dental cleanings prevent disease.
Are Egyptian Maus good family pets?
Yes, when properly exercised/stimulated cats can be great family cats. Supervise young kids and respect their independence.
Are Egyptian Maus good with children?
Their patience and playfulness makes most Egyptian Maus great with respectful kids. Teach gentle handling. Their speed may overwhelm very small kids.
Are cats good with other pets?
With proper introductions they can coexist with cat-friendly dogs. They may view smaller pets like hamsters as prey though.
Can Egyptian Maus cause allergies?
No cat is 100% hypoallergenic but their short coat produces less dander than long-haired breeds. Regular grooming also helps limit shedding.
Are Egyptian Maus aggressive?
No, cats are not typically aggressive. Some can be shy/aloof with strangers but are loving and playful family members when properly socialized.
Do Egyptian Maus have hair loss problems?
No, their short glossy coats are generally not prone to excessive shedding or hair loss. Providing good nutrition and grooming helps their coat stay healthy.
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