Egyptian Maus have the distinction of being the only domestic cat with a naturally spotted coat. They also wear stripes on their legs and tails. These cats are famous for their large gooseberry green eyes with mascara lining and perpetually worried expression. Their medium-sized bodies are muscular and graceful, their ears are medium to large and slightly pointed, and their tails are of moderate length with thick bases and a slight taper. Silver, bronze, and smoke are the only permitted colors for show, but breed registration is also allowed for black and a variety of blues.
Cats of this breed run up to 30 miles per hour and jump up to 6 feet into the air from a standing position. They are also avid climbers and explorers.
This generally healthy breed is athletic and moderately active, while still remaining dignified and reserved. An Egyptian Mau's bonds with family members run deep, though one person is often singled out for the most devotion. Not eager to interact or share space with other animals, these cats are best suited to homes without other pets.
"Mau" is the Egyptian word for cat. This was the domesticated breed of the ancient Egyptians, appearing frequently and prominently in their artworks. Egyptian Maus were pets, but they were also celebrated as deities, legally protected, and mummified and mourned after death. A papyrus painting from approximately 1100 BC depicts Ra in the form of one of these spotted cats, but their pictorial appearances predate this by hundreds of years.
Egyptian Maus are calm and reserved. They develop strong bonds and are fiercely loyal to their family. However, they are not interested in interacting with unfamiliar people or other animals. They are exceptionally intelligent and given to communicating with chortling sounds. They display pleasure with such sounds and by wagging their tails and kneading their front paws.
These cats do build up energy during calm times and shift into active play modes. Their ancestors accompanied the ancient Egyptians on duck hunting trips, and they retain a natural hunting instinct.
Although Egyptian Maus are loyal and affectionate, they're more likely hanging out nearby than curled up in a lap. They usually stick close to one particular person. This is the person they most often seek attention from, but they won't hesitate to approach other family members when this person isn't available or receptive to pleas for attention.
Egyptian Maus are generally healthy cats that live around 15 years. They like their environment a bit warmer than other cats. Protect their health by monitoring their body weight and feeding these cats a nutritionally-balanced diet. Daily exercise is required, as are annual or semi-annual veterinary well checks.
It's not clear why, but this breed is more sensitive to the effects of anesthesia and many medications than other cats are. This means closer monitoring during veterinary procedures and treatments is necessary.
Egyptian Maus have a genetic predisposition to leuodystrophy, a neurological condition in which the brain's white matter degenerates. It may show in kittens as early as 7 weeks of age. To reduce risks, these cats should only be acquired from a reputable breeder who provides a written health guarantee and proof of parental health screenings.
Egyptian Maus love play that simulates hunting. Provide motorized prey toys and throw things for them to chase down. Laser pointers provide these cats and their humans with endless entertainment. These types of play are essential forms of exercise and mental stimulation.
Egyptian Maus need space for their powerful, agile, fast play. These cats have a loose pouch of skin at the base of the hind legs to accommodate extra extension for running and jumping. Cats of this breed run up to 30 miles per hour and jump up to 6 feet into the air from a standing position. They are also avid climbers and explorers. They quickly learn to open doors, cabinets, and drawers, and potential dangers must be secured with this in mind.
These cats can be shy and sensitive. Proper socialization from birth is essential to healthy behavioral development and reasonable resistance to stress. Acquire from a reputable breeder who provides references for confidence that kittens were handled and socialized appropriately.
The texture of medium-length Egyptian Mau coats depends on coloration. Silver and bronze cats have more dense and resilient fur, and smoke colored cats have silkier, finer, more delicate hairs. Coats should be combed weekly, but care must be taken with smoke-colored individuals. Combs are preferable to brushes, which can remove spots on the ticking at the end of hair shafts when used too vigorously. Polish the coat with a soft chamois to bring out its natural sheen.
Egyptian Maus shed moderately. Hair loss is greater in the spring and fall in preparation for new growth. Weekly combing helps eliminate loose hair before it ends up around the home, and it should be done more often during shedding seasons. These cats generally don't require bathing unless their coats become soiled by something they can't clean off themselves or by a hazardous substance.
Nails need clipping every week or two using sharp scissors or a guillotine-style trimmer. It's important to cut off only the tips of claws so as not to cut the quick. Regular tooth brushing reduces the risk of periodontal disease and keeps the breath fresh. The ears needs weekly checks to ensure they are clean and free of infection. Ear cleaning can be done with a cotton ball and a veterinarian-approved otic cleanser when necessary.
Research by feline geneticists supports the archaeological evidence that Egyptian Maus are descended from the domesticated subspecies of African wildcats of ancient Egypt. This is one of the oldest domestic breeds in existence.
Egyptian Maus enjoyed popularity in the early 20th century across Western Europe. The breed was primarily developed in Italy, France, and Switzerland. Like most cats in Europe, these were on the brink of extinction by the end of World War II. Breeders revived the breed through the 1950s, with efforts organized by exiled Russian Princess Nathalie Troubetskoy proving particularly beneficial.
Princess Troubetskoy brought three Egyptian Maus when she immigrated to America in 1956. She founded Fatima, a cattery devoted to the breed, and actively promoted these cats. Their rarity and historical prominence proved appealing to fanciers, as did their appearance and temperament. Careful inbreeding and outcrossing added genetic diversity, a pressing concern given the difficulty of getting cats from Egypt. While all North American Egyptian Maus were descended from the original Fatima cats for several decades, a few successful imports in the 1980s and 1990s broadened the gene pool.
The Cat Fanciers' Association (CFA) granted Egyptian Maus official recognition in 1977.
