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Egyptian Mau Cat Breed Introduction
Egyptian Mau is a short-haired small to medium-sized cat breed originally from Egypt. These cats have spots that are natural and appear in random patterns on the coats. Egyptian Maus are typically “M” or scarab shaped on the top of their head, and also have “mascara” columns that run from the corners of their eyes to their cheeks. Egyptian Maus’ tails are excessively banded with dark tips and dorsal stripes that run the length of the tail.
The general coat pattern of these cats is tabby. Smoke-colored Egyptian Maus overall have finer hair than the other colors. Egyptian Maus have short hair on their ears that may be topknotted at the tip. These cats are fast, and athletic with well-spread muscles. Male Egyptian Maus are mostly larger than females. Egyptian Maus’ hind legs are longer than their front legs, offering them a “tiptoe” posture, and they’re passionate jumpers, able to jump up to 6 feet.
Egyptian Maus make good family cats that get along well with both small and older kids. They rarely spare the opportunity of interacting and playing with the kids. Although, a pet may sometimes indulge in rough playing without intending to. Therefore, children interaction with pets should always have adult supervision. It is also essential to teach the former the need to respect the boundaries of the cat and not pick on it.
History
These cats originated from Egypt. In 1900 BCE Egyptian art represented cats with the same spotted markings in Egyptian homes. Cats were mostly shown in several domestic situations by 1450 BCE. They also became connected with the Egyptian goddess Bastet. The exaltation of Bastet remained famous during the Roman rule of Egypt, and Romans might have taken some of these eye-catching spotted cats back to Italy.
In that manner, in Europe, the precursors of the Egyptian Maus breed were over. In the early 20th century, cats similar to Egyptian Maus were bred in Italy and France but the breed reduced during World War II. Nathalie Troubetskoy1, a nurse was designated a silver-spotted kitten that allegedly came from an embassy in Rome. Troubetskoy1 found out that the kitten was an Egyptian Mau, and she admired the beauty and characteristics of the cat so she became set on rejuvenating the breed.
Egyptian Mau Life Expectancy
The lifespan of Egyptian Maus is 10 to 15 years.
Care
They have a short and dense coat that sheds minimally. The grooming routine of Egyptian Maus requires weekly brushing. For Egyptian Maus, a slicker brush is required for brushing as it does not pull on the fur harshly. This also assists in keeping mats and tangles at bay. Brushing also distributes natural oils over their coat, making it look soft and shiny.
These cats also require a bath every 4 to 6 weeks unless they roll in something messy. A hypoallergenic shampoo, warm water, and conditioner are used for bathing them. Pay much attention to cleaning around their face and eyes daily, and under the tail following each trip to the litter box. Clean Egyptian Maus’ nose and eyes with damp cotton.
Brush Egyptian Maus’ teeth two times a week to get rid of tartar buildup by using a toothbrush and cat-formulated toothpaste. Besides brushing and grooming, trim their nails once a week or whenever they seem to be growing long using nail clippers. Keeping Egyptian Maus’ nails trimmed will prevent scratching on the surface of floors and furniture. Clean their ears with a pet-safe ear cleaner and cotton balls once every week.
Shedding
They shed moderately all year round, with increased shedding, especially during seasonal changes in Spring and Fall. To lower their shedding, weekly brushings are needed.
Hair
They have medium-length coat hair, which can come in fine, silky, or dense in texture, based on the color.
Egyptian Mau Hypoallergenic
Egyptian Maus are not hypoallergenic. These cats shed moderately and produce dander which harbors the protein allergen Fel d 1, which brings cat allergies. Egyptian Maus are not suitable pets for people who have severe cat allergies.
Training
These cats are intelligent and trainable. They respond readily to positive training methods such as clicker training along with tasty treats and other food rewards. Start training Egyptian Maus from an early age like at the age of eight weeks when they join you home from the breeder to 16 weeks to establish good behavior and prevent any bad habits from forming. Keep their training times fun, upbeat, and challenging for 5 minutes distributed throughout the day to avoid boredom.
Teach Egyptian Maus basic command words like eat, heel, come, in, out, etc. Socialization is also crucial to ensure that an Egyptian Mau grows up to be a well-mannered and confident cat. To socialize Egyptian Maus owners should expose them to a wide range of people, animals, places, surfaces, smells, sights, and sounds like lawnmowers, doorbells, and vacuum cleaners.
Avoid use of harsh counterproductive methods like shoving, chocking, and use of prong collar when training. Instead, concentrate on building a strong bond with your Egyptian Mau and make training sessions fun and engaging for both of you. Owners can housebreak the cat by crate training, leash training, and creating a feeding routine. Crate training can also assist your cat to feel safe and secure while you’re not around your home. This may assist your kitten avoid anxiety, which could lead to destructive habits like excessive meowing and scratching of surfaces.
Egyptian Maus Characteristics
– Friendly.
– Affectionate.
– Highly intelligent.
– Highly active.
– Playful.
– Lively.
– Outgoing.
Exercise
These cats are highly energetic and thus need to burn off excess energy. To keep Egyptian Maus mentally and physically stimulated, offer them frequent exercise and time to run, jump, and climb. Provide for them tall cat trees, scratching posts, toys, as well as safe indoor places to run and climb. The Egyptian Maus enjoy interactive play with their human owners.
Meowing
Egyptian Maus are not overly vocal but they have many vocalizations like chirping, chortling, and meowing. They are fiercely devoted to their humans and vocally show symptoms of excitement and affection by meowing in a pleasant voice.
Egyptian Mau Size
These cats have a height of 8 to 14 inches ( approx. 20 to 36 cm ) and weigh 8 to 12 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 5.4 kg ).
Height
Mature Egyptian Maus have a height of 8 to 14 inches ( approx. 20 to 36 cm ).
Weight
They have a weight of 8 to 12 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 5.4 kg ).
Egyptian Mau Health Problems
Egyptian Maus are healthy cats. However, due to their limited genetic background, they may get health problems like kidney disease, bladder stones, and lower urinary tract infections. These cats may also be susceptible to a heart issue called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which can shorten their life expectancy. Based on severity, this heart problem can be managed with medications, and frequent veterinary texts are important to monitor the progress of this disease. The Egyptian Maus may also have dental disease and gingivitis, and it’s good to brush their teeth frequently with feline-formulated toothpaste.
Other Cat breeds include:
Hair Loss
Hair loss in Egyptian Maus can be because of food allergies, environmental allergies, or bacterial infections. Also due to hormonal fluctuation, female Egyptian Maus can suffer from hair loss. Foods that do not contain enough protein can cause excessive shedding. Hair loss in these cats can be due to skin parasites, allergic skin disease, pain, medical issues, stress, and more. However, their hair loss can be treated by anti-fungal treatment for hair loss in cats (if they have parasites). Also, plan to lower their cause of stress and have a suitable diet to avoid allergies.
Eye Infection
Cat eye infections can be caused by bacteria or viruses. Conjunctivitis is also an eye infection in these cats. If these cats have an eye infection they may show signs such as pain, itching, redness, and discharge from their eyes. Use antibiotic ointments if the infection is due to bacteria.
Ear Infection
These cats are more susceptible to ear infections. Egyptian Maus can get ear infections because of pathogens, like yeast and bacteria. Factors that enhance their risk of ear infection are ear mites, allergies, tumors, and trauma. Physical symptoms that indicate Egyptian Maus have ear infections include:
- Strong odor near the ears.
- Discharge from the ear.
- Black specks inside the ear.
- Redness or swelling around the ear.
- Excessive wax buildup.
- Pawing at the ear.
- Head shaking.
- Decreased appetite.
- Poor socializing with people and other pets.
Ear Infection Treatment
These cats get ear infections because of pathogens, like yeast and bacteria. Egyptian Maus with an ear infection that has reached the middle ear but the eardrum is not yet affected can be treated using oral or injectable antibiotics. Bacterial ear infections, ear yeast infections, or ear mites, can be treated with corticosteroids, antifungals, antibiotics, or anti-parasitics in ear drop treatments.
Home treatment involves keeping an eye on the state of Egyptian Maus’ ears to check that the interior of the ear flap is neat and that the interior of the ear flap is neat and that the canal is clear. If given ear drops by a veterinarian, slowly lift the ear flap, then press the drops into their ear canal, rubbing the edge of the ear to assist the medicine find its way into the ear canal.
Eye Problems
Egyptian Maus suffer from eye problems like conjunctivitis, Corneal ulcer, Uveitis, Cataracts, etc. which cause pain, itching, redness, and discharge.
Egyptian Mau Ear Problems
They are more prone to common ear problems such as:
Ear infections – they are caused by an overgrowth of pathogens, like yeast and bacteria inside their ears, always caused by another underlying issue.
Allergic skin disease – skin issues always affect their ears and cause red, inflamed, irritating skin.
Ear mites – small parasites that cause very itchy ears and infections.
Aural haematoma – a blood blister in Egyptian Maus earflap, always caused by an underlying problem that irritates the ear.
Ear polyps – non-cancerous tumors inside their ear canal.
Vestibular disease – is an inner ear problem that alters balance.
Ear injuries – like wounds and bites.
Foreign objects in the ear – like grass seeds.
Egyptian Mau Allergies
Egyptian Maus can be prone to allergies such as:
Flea Allergies – It manifests as licking and scratching to ease itching.
Pollen Allergies – Egyptian Maus can be allergic to tree, grass, and weed pollens. Egyptian Maus that are allergic to pollen can show signs such as watery eyes and regular sneezing.
Food Allergies – Egyptian Maus can be prone to food allergies which makes these cats display gastrointestinal problems like vomiting, gassiness, and diarrhea. Some of the foods that cause allergies to these cats are beef, fish, chicken, and dairy products. Food allergies in Egyptian Maus are managed by avoiding the offending food allergens.
Names
Egyptian Maus parents may decide to get a name for the pet before it leaves the shelter or a few days after the pet joins them at home in order to understand better the personality of the cat. They may get name inspirations from the personality of the cat, coat color, movies, books, songs, and celebrities. Parents should make sure the name chosen does not rhyme with the command words to avoid confusion. Some of the names that parents give to their Egyptian Maus include:
- Hapu.
- Jibade.
- Khafra.
- Khalfani.
- Narmer.
- Ptolemy.
- Sethos.
- Shabaka.
Pregnancy Length
The normal pregnancy length of a cat is 63-65 days but Egyptian Maus normally have a longer pregnancy period of 73 days.
Litter Size
After conception, Egyptian Maus have a gestation period of 63 to 65 days before kittening a litter size of 4 to 6 kittens.
Collar
These cats have a collar size of 7 to 8.6 inches ( approx. 18 to 22 cm).
Food
The amount of food Egyptian Maus feed on depends on their age, size, metabolism, body build, and activity level. Egyptian Maus thrive on either commercial cat food, homemade, or raw food. On overage, the kitten feeds on a lean protein diet which supports the growth of muscles, tendons, and tissue. Kittens should be fed three times a day while full-grown Egyptian Maus eat twice a day. Always feed them in a stainless steel bowl, not anywhere else.
Also, owners can opt for free feeding, leaving food out for the kittens to eat throughout the day. However, as these cats grow into adulthood, free-feeding can result in weight gain. Some Egyptian Maus may be prone to getting overweight. Therefore, parents should watch the weight level and calorie intake as well as treats that aid in training. Also, make sure your Egyptian Maus have access to clean water at all times.
Egyptian Mau Colors
These cats come in common colors like smoke, bronze, and silver, but Egyptian Maus can also come in black, blue/pewter, and caramel colors.
Markings
Their markings are casually spotted. Egyptian Maus spots may be big or small; round, oblong, rectangular, or of an uneven shape. Their spots may be disproportional however disproportional is not a disqualifying trait in the Egyptian Maus. Their underside is also spotted. Egyptian Maus’ forehead has an M-shaped marking.
Bronze
Bronze Egyptian Maus have dark brown-black markings with a warm brown undercoat.
Black
Their fur coat, can be Black silver spotted tabby.
Blue
The Egyptian Maus can come in solid blue and solid black cats, with black being diluted to make them blue.
Brown
Brown Egyptian Maus have warm coppery brown ground color across their heads, shoulders, outer legs, back, and tails. Underside fades to a paler tone. All their markings are dark brown/black with paler roots, giving good contrast against the ground color.
Grey
A few people refer to the silver shade on Egyptian Maus as grey.
Smoke
These cats are the only ones with a patterned smoke color which is identified by its pale silver base color, with each hair crowned in black over their heads, shoulders, legs, tails, and underbelly. The Egyptian Maus coat’s markings are all jet black.
Egyptian Mau Types
– Black spotted tabby Mau
– “Bronze” spotted tabby Mau.
– Black silver spotted tabby Mau.
– Black smoke Mau kitten.
Eyes
They have large light green eyes that have an almond shape which slants easily toward their ears.
Ears
The Egyptian Maus’ ears are broad at the base and pointed at the tip.
Head
These cats have medium-sized and triangular-shaped heads.
Tail
Their tails are of medium length and thick at the base.
Teeth
Egyptian Maus that are full-grown contains 30 permanent teeth. However, Kittens have 26 milk teeth which start to show up two to four weeks after birth and start falling out at the age of 12 weeks.
Nose
They have long noses that are sensitive.
Egyptian Mau Vs Tabby
– Egyptian Maus are unique cats while Tabby is a type of coat.
– Tabby is identified by dark stripes, spots, or swirls on a framework of a lighter color while Egyptian Maus come in silver, bronze, smoke, black, caramel and blue/pewter colors.
Egyptian Mau Cost
The cost of Egyptian Maus is $1000 to $2000 depending on the age of the cat and the location of the breeder.
Egyptian Mau And Tabby Mix
Tabby cats have dark stripes or spots on a lighter body. Tabby is a typical pattern across several breeds, such as the Egyptian Maus. Black spotted tabby foreheads have the “Mark of the Scarab Beetle”. Tabby is a typical coat pattern identified by dark stripes, spots, or swirls on a framework of a lighter color.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How To Identify Egyptian Mau
These cats can be identified through their muscular bodies with known characteristic being their spotted coats and tabby markings on their foreheads that are said to look similar to a scarab design. Their eyes are large and round.
Are Egyptian Mau Cats Rare
Yes, Egyptian Maus are regarded as rare cats due to being one of the few naturally spotted breeds of domesticated cats.
Are Egyptian Maus Hypoallergenic
No, these cats are not hypoallergenic because they shed and produce dander thus not suitable with people with cat allergies.
How Big Do Egyptian Maus Get
Full-grown Egyptian Maus are 8 to 14 inches ( approx. 20 to 36 cm ) tall and weigh 8 to 12 pounds ( approx. 3.6 to 5.4 kg ).
Egyptian Mau Quick Facts
- These cats jump as high as 6 feet straight up.
- These cats have almond-shaped light green colored eyes.
- Egyptian Maus cats have a long gestational period, around 73 days.
