Egyptian Mau
cat Breed Profile
The Egyptian Mau is a long cat although she tends to be medium in size, with the males larger than the females. The Mau is heavily muscled and strong.
In this article
Size
Weight
medium: 8-12 lbs.
medium: 8-12 lbs.
Coat
Length
Short
Color
Silver, Bronze, Smoke
Less Allergenic
No
Care
Longevity
9-13 yrs.
Needs
High, Moderate
Traits
Grooming Needs
Low
Social Needs
High, Moderate
Eye Color
Green
Club recognition
Associations
CFA, ACFA , FIFe, TICA
Prevalence
Rare
The Egyptian Mau is an easy cat when it comes to care. Brushing can easily be made part of regular playtime.
The Egyptian Mau is a long cat although she tends to be medium in size, with the males larger than the females. The Mau is heavily muscled and strong.
- FORM -
Maus like to sit up high and survey their surroundings. They usually act as if they are in complete control of their environment. They are extremely strong and very active. But they have a very balanced temperament.
The Egyptian Mau is an athletic cat and will adjust her own nutrition if she is given enough room to adequately exercise.
Egyptian Maus are great jumpers and climbers, and should have perches and cat trees to make their own. If these are not provided, the Mau will create her own perch on the top of the refrigerator or on bookcases.
The Egyptian Mau is an easy cat when it comes to care. She likes being brushed, and brushing can easily be made a part of regular playtime.
The Egyptians were well known not only as lovers of cats but also as worshipers of them. In the Book of the Dead, Ra, the God of the Sun, is portrayed as a spotted Tabby cat. He is depicted in Egyptian art as slaying the serpent Apep. In many Egyptian depictions, a scarab is shown on the forehead of the cat. In actuality, a mark that resembles the scarab is a natural marking of Tabby cats. This important scarab marking may have been part of the reason that cats were worshipped by ancient Egyptians.
In 1953, a noblewoman returned to Italy from Egypt with a Tabby cat. This Tabby cat was bred to a male Tabby that had also been brought to Italy from Egypt, this time with the help of a Syrian ambassador. In 1956, the progeny of this original pair were brought to the United States by this noblewoman, and the Egyptian Mau was created. Mau, in Egyptian, means cat.
The resulting breeding program in the United States produced cats that appeared to recall the ancient Tabby cats, which were worshipped by the Egyptians. The breed Egyptian Mau was recognized in 1958 in the United States and 1992 in Europe.
Other breeds you might be interested in
-
Cat Personalities: Considerstions for Your Lifestyle
Learn important things to look for when getting a cat, such as age, hair length, and which cat breed personalities will suit your lifestyle best.
-
What to Consider Before You Adopt a Cat
Ready to adopt a cat? Learn how characteristics like age, hair length & breed can help you decide on the best cat match for your lifestyle.
-
Six of the Friendliest Cat Breeds
If you're looking for a friendly cat to welcome into your home, learn about six of the nicest & most affectionate cat breeds around.
-
Determining Your Cat's Breed
Learn some easy ways to help you figure out what breed your cat is, such as physical characteristics like her coat color and body shape.
-
4 Incredible Rare Cat Breeds
Learn about some of the most rare cat breeds, such as the Egyptian mau, with their remarkable colors, distinguishing features and compelling histories.
-
Foods that are Dangerous or Toxic to Cats
Many human foods are dangerous to cats. Read about 5 of the worst toxic food offenders that can kill your cat - and how much it takes to hurt them.
