Egyptian Mau Cat Breed… Everything You Need to Know at a Glance!

Few can deny that seeing a “spotted cat” is certainly unusual. This is why so many folks are attracted to selectively few cat breeds with “spots.” Heck, even we here at IndulgeYourPet find them fascinating, which is why we wanted to take a moment and discuss the Egyptian Mau in this article so that you can get a better idea about what it might be like to own one of these “awesome” cats so that if you ever do get a chance to adopt one, you won’t be disappointed that you did six months later.

You see…

Cats are unique animals, and while each one of them will typically have a unique personality, there are certain “assumptions” one can make based on the “type” of breed a particular cat is. This means that while you’ll never be able to know for sure if a specific cat’s personality is going to “mesh” well with your own, it is safe to say that if you’re not a “fan” of a high-energy cat, chances are you’re not going to like owning an Egyptian Mau. But before we make any “definitive” decisions about whether or not an Egyptian Mau will be right for you, let’s learn a little more about the breed and see why these cats are one of our favorites here at IndulgeYourPet.

Egyptian Mau Cat Breed Fast Facts

Country of Origin:  Egypt

Size:  Medium

Weight:  7 to 9 pounds

Eyes:  Almond shape (light green)

Shape of Head:  Wedge-shaped

Life Span: 13 to 16 years

Origin of the Egyptian Mau cat breed

As you can tell by the name, the Egyptian Mau cat breed was first developed within Egypt thousands of years ago, where it was first used to help reduce the rodent population that would threaten food supplies held within the ancient Egyptian silos. This role was vital during this time because living in the Egyptian desert wasn’t easy, and the ever-present risk of famine was never far from any Egyptians ‘ obsessions.

This is probably why…

Over The years, these cats became more and more “valued,” so they were probably chosen to be the animal that the “sun god Ra” decided to become. In ancient Egyptian times, dating back to 2800 B.C., these cats became more than just domesticated animals to help rid the vermin community. Back in 2800 B.C., they also took on the role of becoming “mini” deities themselves. According to Egyptian mythology, the sun god R chose to take the form of a spotted cat to defeat “darkness,” thus making the Egyptian Mau something that should be worshipped according to ancient Egyptian beliefs.

Ironically…

Although it remains one of the “oldest” cat breeds, not all that many are around today. They’re considered a pretty rare breed, and as of 2007, only about 200 were registered in the governing Council of the Cat Fancy, a number that seems to remain stable year after year. (Keep in mind, however, that not all these kittens are registered.)  Today, they are considered the only naturally occurring domesticated cat with spots, even though modern cat breeders have been able to create other cat breeds with similar coats selectively.

Physical Characteristics

Let’s now talk a little more about what an Egyptian Mau looks like. In general, you will find that most Egyptian M au cats will be relatively short and medium-sized. And as we’ve already mentioned, they will have a very “exotic” look about them because of their spots. Many of which are going to look like a “snow leopard.”

Their coat…

It will be short and silky and can come in various colors, including silver, bronze, smoke, solid black, and blue. However, most of the ones we’ve seen tend to be silver simply because this color seems to “show off” their spots the best. Egyptian Mau’s will also have huge eyes, often called “gooseberry-green,” which are “set” to give them a look as though they’re worried or always on alert.

Their ears…

They are medium or large-sized and stand on their rounded wedge-shaped head, which seems to be “stamped” with a large M on their foreheads. Folks also like to say that these guys have what appear to be “mascara” lines because when they have a silver coat, the black bars on their faces make it look like they are wearing makeup.

Other than the Egyptian Mau has a spotted coat, one of their other unique features is their hind legs. You see, their hind legs are longer than their front legs, and many people say that it makes them look as if they’re tiptoeing. All we know is that it helps them to be excellent jumpers!

Lastly…

You’ll find that the Egyptian Mau’s tail will be relatively thin and long, ending with their “classic” black tip. So now that you know what an Egyptian Mau looks like and you’ve fallen in love, let’s fall in love with them even more and talk about what they’re like. Long story short—they’re great.

Temperament and Personality

Probably one of the first things we want to tell you about these little guys is that they don’t “meow” a lot. They’re a really “quiet” breed. Of course, unless you’re petting them, in case a steady and constant purr will reward you. You see, rather than “meowing” constantly, the Egyptian Mau uses body language and “expressions” to let you know how they are feeling. So, you will know precisely when they’re happy and sad.

Now, these little guys…

They love being around people and are very loyal to their owners. They’re devoted to their family and not afraid to show it. Plus, because they are energetic, they love to be around kids who always have time to play with them. This is because the average Egyptian Mau will have a TON of energy! They like to stalk and cling and jump on whatever they see. They love playing with children so much they have just as much power as they do. They also enjoy playing games like hide and seek, and they love to run.

Speaking of running…

This feline is one of the fastest cats out there—so keep your eye on them! They can run up to 30 miles per hour! And despite all this energy, this cat breed is very patient. So, as long as they’re entertained and can release any “pent” point now and then, they should be pretty content and happy.

One thing that we should point out, though, is that if you’re looking for a cat that is going to just “love” sitting in your lap all day or sleeping on the couch for hours and hours, you’re probably going to want to scratch this cat off of your list because that’s just not what you’re going to get when you choose to adopt an Egyptian Mau.

Potential Health Concerns

Because the Egyptian Mau is a rare breed that has been around for centuries, it’s pretty surprising how healthy they are as a “breed.” When a cat breed has been “managed and bred by people for centuries to “highlight” certain traits they find more desirable, many unintended consequences can arise. And by unintended consequences, we mean inheritable diseases.

Fortunately…

This doesn’t seem to be the case regarding the Egyptian Mau cat breed. While it is true that they may be at a higher risk of suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, this should be something that a qualified and reputable breeder can screen for and minimize within their litters. This is why if you decide to purchase an Egyptian Mau kitten, just be sure to spend plenty of time researching different Egyptian Mau breeders and be sure that they are willing to guarantee the health of all of their kittens.

Lastly…

While you’re doing your due diligence to find the “right” kind of cat to make your next pet, we would also encourage you to take a moment and do a bit of research on different pet insurance policies that are available as well. If your pet ever becomes sick or injured in the future, you won’t be on the “hook” for 100% of their medical bills. As almost any pet owner can tell you, owning a pet can be expensive. Particularly if you find yourself visiting the “vet” regularly.

Which is why…

We chose to write our Best Pet Insurance Companies article so that if you’re interested in understanding how these policies work and what it might cost for you to be able to get one, you won’t need to spend hours researching it on your own. We’ve got you covered!