All about Egyptian Mau breed
Description
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
English
Description
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
Description
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament
English
Description
Appearance
Gallery
Origin
Temperament

Egyptian Mau

Other names: Mau
The Egyptian Mau is a breed of cat that was for a long time preserved only within its homeland of Cairo. It is a natural breed first depicted in historical murals in Egypt and is considered rare. The Egyptian Mau is the only breed of cat that naturally has a spotted tabby marking and is the fastest among domestic cats, able to reach speeds of around 50 km/h (31 mph).
Male
Female
Size
length
30-38
11.8-15
cminch
cm inch 
hight
18-28
7.1-11
cminch
cm inch 
weight
3.6-5.4
7.9-11.9
kglbs
kg lbs 
weight
3
7
kglbs
kg lbs 
life span
9-15 years
country of origin
fur length
breed origin

Appearance

The Egyptian Mau's body is medium in length and graceful, with hind legs slightly longer than the front ones, and small, neat, rounded paws. The tail is wide at the base, tapering slightly towards the end. The head is wedge-shaped, with no flat edges, and features rather large, alert, high-set ears that are wide at the base and moderately pointed at the ends. Tassels may sometimes be present on the ears. The ears are almost transparent, pinkish, resembling sea shells. The eyes are large and almond-shaped, typically green in color, though a yellow-amber hue is permissible up to 18 months of age. The coat is of medium length, dense, silky, shiny, and delicate, with 2-3 bands of ticking. Acceptable colors among all federations include silver (silver-gray spotted with black), bronze (light chocolate spotted with black), and black smoke (base of the silver hair with the rest anthracite and black spots).
Coat type
Eye colour
Fur colour
Body type
Ears
Eyes shape
Fur length
Fur type
Head shape
Tail
Size
Coat type
Eye colour
Fur colour
Body type
Ears
Eyes shape
Fur length
Fur type
Head shape
Tail
Size

Origin

Depictions of spotted cats can be found on ancient Egyptian carvings and in works of ancient Egyptian art. The word 'mau' means 'cat' in Egyptian. The Egyptian Mau cats first appeared at an exhibition in Italy in 1953, where they were shown by Duchess Trubetskaya. In 1956, Trubetskaya emigrated to the United States and took with her several Mau cats, both born in Egypt and in her cattery. American breeders made every effort to preserve the purity of the breed. The desired appearance of the breed was restored based on the study of ancient images and even mummies of Egyptian cats. The Egyptian Mau was recognized as a breed by the CFA in 1977 and by FIFE in 1992. The Governing Council of the Cat Fancy (GCCF) only recognized the breed in 2007.
Parent animals
Breed origin
Origin countries

Temperament

The Egyptian Mau has a friendly temperament and is very intelligent. It is considered a good hunter that needs exercise and interactive games with its owner to keep its character balanced. Egyptian Mau cats are not aggressive; they get attached to their owners and require attention. They will show their joy by meowing softly and vigorously waving their tail. Egyptian Mau cats are typically wary of strangers.
Activity Level:
Active

Keeping conditions

Diet preferences
Reproduction
Grooming
Common health issues
Diet preferences
Reproduction
Grooming
Common health issues
The Egyptian Mau does not have any specific dietary needs but does benefit from a high-protein diet and the availability of fresh water at all times. Due to their susceptibility to mouth and gum issues, it is recommended to offer a combination of wet and dry food to ensure their dental hygiene. The inclusion of dry food in their diet can aid in cleaning their teeth effectively, contributing to their overall well-being.
Female Egyptian Mau cats carry kittens longer than other breeds, typically between 63 and 73 days. The average number of kittens in a litter is 3-4. Kittens are born with well-defined spots, and their eye color can take 1 to 1.5 years to reach its final coloration.
Litter size
3-4 kittens
kittens
Caring for an Egyptian Mau is relatively simple. To keep their coat in good condition, it's advisable to brush them with a fine-tooth comb and then give their fur a final polish with a chamois leather cloth. Regular brushing, around once or twice a week, can minimize shedding. Additionally, trimming their nails as required, inspecting their ears weekly, and maintaining their dental hygiene by brushing their teeth regularly are essential aspects of their upkeep.
Shedding:
Normal
Grooming intencity:
Easy to groom
Overall, Egyptian Mau cats are typically known for their robust health. Nevertheless, some health issues that can occur include feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, feline asthmatic syndrome, and patella dislocation. Additionally, these cats may also be prone to gastrointestinal disorders, cystitis, as well as various mouth and gum ailments.

References

  1. Egyptian Mau Wikipedia article https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Egyptian_Mau