EGYPTIAN MAU CAT PERSONALITY AND BREED (ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW)

Are you wondering about the Egyptian Mau cat personality? This breed has a long history. Some are convinced that its origins can even be traced back to the cats of Ancient Egypt. In Europe, still, it isn’t widespread, while in America, it is certainly more common.

At one glance, this cat can be considered the oldest breed existing on the planet, with a characteristic spotted tabby mantle, and it is possible to find three different varieties. Each has the spots on the coat casually distributed.

Here is all you need to know about the Egyptian Mau cat personality and breed.

WHAT IS THE EGYPTIAN MAU CAT GENERAL ASPECT AND SIZE?

This cat with a spotted coat and regal behavior has a very ancient origin; his ancestors are pictured on a roll of papyrus dated 14000 BC.

The Egyptian Mau has broken black stripes surrounding the neck like necklaces, and on the eyes, the so-called “lines of mascara” accentuate the features of the face.

The ancestors of the modern race were discovered in the streets of Cairo by a Russian emigrant, Nathalie Troubetskoy. To these felines, three traditional colors are associated: silver (shown here), bronze, which is actually a coppery shade with dark marks, and smoke.

In fact, the Egyptian Mau is the only cat whose patterned smoke version is a recognized variety, endowed with the characteristic brands spotted tabby associated with the breed.

Sometimes in a litter can jump out versions of blotched tabby (the classic), but these can not be presented at exhibitions.

Here is a detailed summary of the cat’s description and habits.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EGYPTIAN MAU:

Characteristic	Description	Notes
In summary	Extraordinary looking cats; that of the kittens does not vary with growth	The fantasies of the mantle are based on the individual cat
Personality	Active and lively nature, he benefits from the origin as a street cat
Appearance	It is distinguished by the spotted tabby motif and the green eyes	Bred in three different colors
In the house	He appreciates games and will also use a center multi-activity (cats trees, toys, etc.)
Behavior	She is very lively and needs a lot of attention
Grooming	Minimum; usually, just brush it with gentleness
Paws	Small and oval, of medium length, the rear ones are longer than the anterior ones
Most common health problems	No particular problem is recorded for this cat.	It is advised to do regular checks for older cats
Size	Medium, between 3 and 5 kg
Ears	Of medium size, distant, light- mind pointed and hairy inside
Eyes	Large, almond-shaped, light green color
Head	Wedge-shaped but with rounded lines; nose short and beetle design on the forehead
Coat	Silky, dense, and compact to the touch; filled with sharp but irregular spots
Allowed Colors	Silver (silver with black designs), bronze, pewter (pinkish gray with black or brown), smoky and black.

If the cat is in good health, the coat appears very shiny, and according to the
standards, the eyes must be green.

As a curiosity, the male and female of the Egyptian Mau raise their litters together.

WHAT IS THE HISTORY OF THE EGYPTIAN MAU CAT?

The naturally spotted coat, the wild appearance and regal at the same time and
the extreme resemblance to the felines depicted in the inscriptions in the tombs of the pharaohs makes you think that certainly, this breed is a direct descendant of those beloved cats in ancient Egypt.

But, the origins are not yet completely clear.

The known part of the story of the Egyptian Mau begins in Rome in the postwar period, where one Russian princess in exile in the capital received a pair of these beautiful cats as a gift.

A kitten of this pair was exhibited for the first time at the Rome exhibition in 1955. The year after, the princess moved to the United States with her cats, and from that moment began the path towards recognizing the breed that arrived in 1979 from the TICA.

All specimens of this breed descended from the breeding of the princess.

ANCIENT EGYPTIAN LEGEND ON THE EGYPTIAN MAU CAT

According to an ancient belief, still in vogue today in Middle Eastern countries, having been the cat of the pharaohs for centuries, adopting an Egyptian Mau would be a good omen, above all for the finances of the host family.

In ancient Egypt, the cat, a sacred family member, was called Mau or Miw.

EGYPTIAN MAU CAT PERSONALITY

Some like to call him a little “parlor leopard,” In fact, the Egyptian May is a remarkably agile cat, active, and very fast (can easily reach 55 km / h). However, despite his predator skills, this cat is not aggressive with the family.

He is social, affectionate, and playful. However, if you like those cats that snuggle up for hours on your lap, do not consider the Egyptian Mau because he does not like being in people’s arms too much.

This cat tends to bond with one person and is generally wary of strangers. He is not much of a talker, and if he meows, it’s because he’s hungry. The male has a stronger and independent character, while the female is less active but more affectionate.

▷ Similar to a wild cat, the Mau Egyptian hides a charming nature.

His strong sense of territoriality makes him a particularly suitable cat for a house with a garden, even if he does not have problems living in an apartment.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE EGYPTIAN MAU CAT?

Few cats are more active than the Egyptian Mau. The close contact with the owners makes them feel good, and usually, they start playing from an early age, often behaving like retrievers.

They have incredibly quick reflexes. Members of this breed establish a close bond with the people they are close to and are learning from observation: sometimes, they even manage to open the doors of wardrobes and dressers.

Pay particular attention to the refrigerator: if you feed your cat cold food, if you leave the
door open and you walk away even for a moment, you could find him intent on serving himself!

HOW TO CARE FOR AND FEED AN EGYPTIAN MAU CAT

The Egyptian Mau is definitely one of the easiest breeds to keep. He is naturally endowed with a silky and short coat, and keeping the coat tidy and clean is more than enough to brush him once a week with a fine-toothed comb.

To polish the coat, you can use a chamois leather cloth moistened once in a while. We said the Egyptian Mau is a particularly active cat, and this is the explanation for his great
appetite.

However, it does not require special foods as long as a balanced diet is guaranteed.
But, being particularly active, the Egyptian Mau needs highly energetic foods, which, however, are not to be confused with those too fats.

Too many fats in the food risk damaging their delicate digestive system.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS