Egyptian Mau cat breed: facts, temperament and care

About the Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is a spotted breed whose look recalls the cats in ancient Egyptian art, though the modern pedigree is more recent. In 1953 in Italy, Princess Natalie Trubetskoy obtained a female cat from Cairo. She bred Maus in Rome and brought three to the United States in 1956. The CFA accepted the breed for registration in 1970 and advanced it to championship in 1977.

The Mau is a medium-sized cat with a lean but muscular body and long hind legs. A loose flap of skin from flank to hind knee gives the stride extra length, and the Mau has a reputation for speed. The head is a slightly rounded wedge with large alert ears and wide almond eyes, whose pale green is described as gooseberry. The coat is spotted. Each hair carries two or more bands of ticking, and the dark spots are scattered across the body. Three colours are shown: silver, bronze and smoke. Many cats have a frown mark and a necklace line of spots on the neck.

Temperament and living with one

The Mau is loyal and bonds closely with one or two favourite people. It can be shy with strangers and startled by loud noise, so quiet homes suit it better than busy ones. It plays hard, jumps high and loves to chase. Many chirp or trill quietly rather than meow.

Mau cats enjoy climbing and are best with tall trees and shelves. They like puzzle feeders and chase toys, and they can be taught to fetch or walk on a harness. They usually get on with calm cats and dogs raised with them.

Care: coat, food and play

The coat is easy. Comb it weekly to remove loose hair and reduce hairballs. Regular bathing is not required. Feed a complete diet in measured meals, and give plenty of exercise. Keep nails trimmed, and check teeth and ears.

Secure windows and balconies, since the breed can leap suddenly after something outside.

Health

Two inherited issues are noted in the breed. Pyruvate kinase deficiency can cause anaemia, and breeders test for it. Urinary stones have also been found more often in Maus than in cats generally, so ask your vet about diet and water intake. Gestation tends to run longer than the usual cat's. Genetic tests are not yet available for every inherited condition. Ask a breeder for test results on the parents and speak to your vet.

Is it right for you?

Choose an Egyptian Mau if you want an athletic, attached cat and can offer play and a calm home. It is less suited to households with rough play or long absences. The Ocicat has a similar spotted look with a more relaxed outlook, and the Abyssinian has the same ticked athleticism.