Egyptian Mau: Cat Breed Profile, Characteristics & Care

The Egyptian mau is an elegant, spotted cat whose ancestry may date back 3,000 years to the cats whose images adorn the temples and halls of ancient Egypt. The name “mau” comes from the ancient Egyptian word for cat. Egyptian Maus are known for their athleticism and are some of the fastest runners among domestic cats, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Egyptian maus can make wonderful additions to homes willing to make them an integral part of the family.
Here’s everything you need to know about this breed to decide if the Egyptian mau would be your perfect feline companion.

Breed Overview

PERSONALITY: Playful, active, devoted, loyal, alert, affectionate on their own terms
WEIGHT: 6 to 14 pounds
HEIGHT: 8 to 14 inches 
LENGTH: Up to 16 inches
COAT: Medium-length shorthair; may be silky and fine or dense, depending on color
COAT COLOR: Silver, bronze, or smoke with dark spots of varying sizes that occur only on the tips of the fur; dorsal stripe extending along the tail to a dark tail tip; forehead has an “M” marking and the face has “mascara” lines that start at the corner of the eyes and sweep along the cheeks; black, caramel, and blue/pewter colors also occur
COAT PATTERN: Tabby
EYE COLOR: Green
LIFESPAN: 12 to 15 years
HYPOALLERGENIC: No
ORIGIN: Egypt

Egyptian Mau Characteristics

 Affection LevelHigh  
Friendliness Medium Kid-Friendly Medium Pet-Friendly Medium Exercise Needs High Playfulness High Energy Level High Intelligence High Tendency to VocalizeMedium  Amount of Shedding Medium

History of the Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau may have descended from ancient Egyptian domestic cats, though definitive genetic linkages are difficult to trace. Egyptian art dating back to 1900 BCE depicted cats with similar spotted markings in the homes of Egyptians, and by 1450 BCE, cats were commonly shown in many domestic situations, where it was likely that they formed close, mutually beneficial relationships with humans. Cats also became associated with the Egyptian goddess Bastet. The worship of Bastet remained popular during the Roman rule of Egypt, and Romans likely took some of these eye-catching spotted cats back to Italy. In this way, the precursors of the Egyptian Mau breed ended up in Europe.
Cats resembling the Egyptian mau were bred in Italy, Switzerland, and France in the early 20th century, but the breed declined during World War II and may have died out, were it not for the work of a Russian-born nurse living in Rome in the 1950s. The nurse, Nathalie Troubetskoy1, was given a silver-spotted kitten that purportedly came from an embassy in Rome. She discovered that the kitten was an Egyptian Mau, and she was so taken by the beauty and personality of the cat that she became determined to revive the breed. 
Troubetskoy managed to acquire a male cat named Gregorio, along with her silver cat Lulu, and later imported additional cats from the Middle East, including Geppa, a male smoke-colored cat. She produced the first litter of Egyptian Mau in 1956. In 1968, the breed was recognized by the Cat Fanciers’ Association and the Canadian Cat Association2. 

However, because there were so few Egyptian maus in the U.S., the breed suffered genetic disorders and illnesses because of a limited gene pool. Breeders sought ways to expand the population. Jean S. Mill, of the Millwood cattery, located two cats that appeared to be Egyptian maus at a zoo in New Delhi. She brought them to the U.S. in 19803 and established the Indian breeding line, which was accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in the late 1980s.
Egyptian maus remain a rare breed and there may be only around 3,000 worldwide. The Middle Eastern origin of the Egyptian mau was confirmed in a 2012 genetic analysis that connected the breed to other Middle Eastern cats like the Turkish Van.4

Egyptian Mau Care

Egyptian maus are intelligent, highly active, and playful cats who require lots of stimulation in their environment. Like all cats, feeding them a high-quality diet, minimizing their stress, and getting them regular preventive veterinary care will help them have long, healthy lives. Spaying, neutering, vaccinating, and keeping them indoors with plenty of activities and interaction will result in happy and healthy cats.

Grooming

They are moderate shedders and don’t require extensive grooming. Brushing them regularly will help with any shedding and will also prevent them from ingesting large amounts of hair via grooming, which can lead to hairballs.

Exercise

As a high-energy breed that needs to burn off excess energy, this cat requires frequent exercise and opportunities to run, jump, and climb. They also like to be up high. Tall cat trees, scratching posts, toys, and safe indoor places to run and climb should be available to them. They enjoy interactive play with people and can be taught to fetch toys and walk with secure leashes and harnesses. They are often conversational, with a variety of vocalizations that include chirping, chortling, and meowing. 
Egyptian maus enjoy water, and like all cats, they should have a continuous source of fresh water available. Water fountains can not only provide them incentive to drink water more often, but also offer entertainment opportunities for them to splash and play.

Common Health Problems

Because Egyptian maus come from a limited genetic background in the U.S., they may develop health issues like kidney disease, bladder stones, and lower urinary tract disease. 
Egyptian maus may also be prone to a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can shorten their lifespan. Depending on severity, this condition can be managed with medications, and regular veterinary examinations are crucial to monitor the development of this disease. 
They may also experience dental disease and gingivitis, and it’s important to brush their teeth regularly with a cat-friendly toothpaste and have their teeth cleaned periodically by a veterinarian.

Appearance

Egyptian Maus have several unusual characteristics that make their appearance unique among cat breeds. Their spots are naturally occurring and appear in random patterns on their coat. While the only colors accepted by the Cat Fanciers’ Association are smoke, bronze, and silver, they can also be found in black, blue, and caramel colors. 
They have a distinctive “M” or scarab shape on the top of their head, and “mascara” lines that run from the corners of their eyes to their cheeks. Their tails are heavily banded with a dark tip and a dorsal stripe that runs the length of the tail. The overall coat pattern of the Egyptian Mau is tabby. Smoke-colored cats generally have finer fur than the other colors. 
They have short hair on their ears that may be tufted at the tip. Their eyes are a striking light green called “gooseberry,” and they are often described as having a slightly worried look. 
Egyptian maus are fast, athletic cats with well-developed muscles. Males are generally larger than females. Their hind legs are longer than their front legs, giving them a “tiptoe” stance, and they’re impressive jumpers, capable of jumping up to 6 feet. They also have a skin fold from their flank to their knees, a trait shared with cheetahs that may relate to their speed.5

Diet and Nutrition

Egyptian maus should be fed a high-quality diet that includes both wet and dry food. A veterinarian can help determine the best diet for an individual cat, based on lifestyle and activity level. Certain medical conditions may require that specialized diets be fed.

Where to Adopt an Egyptian Mau

Egyptian maus are expensive and might cost anywhere from $800 to nearly $2,000, on average.
These cats are not very common, and finding one to adopt may require patience and persistence. You can search for the breed on sites like Adopt-A-Pet and Petfinder, or contact breed-specific cat rescue organizations in your area.

Egyptian Mau Overview

In addition to their striking appearance as one of the few naturally spotted cat breeds in the world, Egyptian maus are friendly and interactive with their family members. Within the family, they may form a strong bond with one select person. The Egyptian mau tends to be aloof with strangers, though they will warm up to new people when given time.

Pros of Egyptian Maus

• Active and intelligent strongly to family members doesn't require extensive groomingGood for families with children and other pets

Cons of Egyptian Maus

• Rare and not commonly found for adoption issues like hypertrophic cardiomyopathy may be too high energy for some homes

More Cat Breeds and Further Research

Before you adopt a cat into your home, do plenty of research about what may be the best fit for your family and lifestyle. If you’re interested in similar cat breeds, you can take a look at these: 

• Turkish VanAbyssianBengal Ocicat

There are many different cat breeds to explore, and the best way to welcome a new cat to your family is to adopt a homeless cat from a rescue or shelter.
FAQ

• Are Egyptian maus good pets?
• Egyptian maus make excellent family pets that seek out interaction and attention. They are very loyal, and when they are comfortable in their environment and familiar with the people around them, they are friendly and social, delighting you with their fun personality.
• How much do Egyptian Mau cats cost?
• Purebred Egyptian maus are expensive, often costing $1,000 or more, depending on the breeder.
• What is special about Egyptian mau?
• Egyptian maus are the fastest domestic cats, reaching speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. They’re also the only naturally spotted domestic cat. When happy, they wiggle their tails and, unlike other cats, they like playing with water.