Egyptian Mau
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Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is a statuesque breed with her muscular, vividly spotted coat and gooseberry green eyes. The Mau, the Egyptian word for cat, is highly intelligent. She adores toys and will stalk anything that moves. A loyal, constant companion, this feline prefers being the only pet in a household as she does not readily adapt to other cats or dogs.

DID YOU KNOW? Extremely athletic, the Egyptian Mau has been clocked running more than 48 km/hr, making her the fastest breed of domestic cat. A unique flap of skin extending from the flanks to the back knee gives this breed greater agility and length of stride than other breeds.

The need-to-know

  • Highly active and inquisitive cat
  • Friendly but independent cat
  • Somehow talkative cat
  • Lean and elegant cat breed
  • Requires grooming once a week
  • Needs some out-door space
  • May require familiarisation before living with children
Living Considerations
 Prefers being the only pet, not hypoallergenic
Size
Medium to large, with males weighing 4.5 to 7 kilograms and females weighing 3 to 5.5 kilograms
Coat
 Short to medium
Temperament
Loyal, playful, moderately active
Grooming
Monthly
Shedding
Yes
Vocalisation
Not overly talkative
Personality

The Egyptian Mau cat is a loving and playful cat breed. It is said to be are extremely clever and enjoys learning tricks and walking on a lead. Enjoying fuss and attention the breed makes them an ideal family cat. As they are active, Mau cats need some stimulus such as toys or companions to play with, especially if they are going to be left on their own for long.

History and Origins

Country of Origin: Egypt/Italy

Mau is the Egyptian word for cat and bears a striking resemblance to the statuesque spotted cats depicted in Ancient Egyptian art. The breed originates from a spotted cat found in Cairo that it said to have be taken to Rome in 1953 by a Russian princess. She bred a number of spotted cats in Italy and later moved to North America where breeders developed the modern Mau. The characteristic markings on its head are said to resemble the scarab beetle held sacred by Ancient Egyptians. Mau cats were only imported into the UK in 1998.

Nutrition and Feeding

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle and overall health, so it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Other Information

Health and common issues

The Egyptian Mau cat is not a common breed and at present there is no information on significant health problems.

Best cat breeds for children

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.