The Egyptian Mau may be the breed for you if you are looking for a special cat breed with striking good looks, a playful demeanor, and fierce loyalty.
Join us as we spotlight this rare and exquisite breed. We cover everything you need to know about the Egyptian Mau, including their history, temperament, care, and how you can bring one home. Read on for more!
History of the Egyptian Mau
The word “Mau” is the Egyptian word for “cat” or “sun.” The ancient Egyptians held cats in high esteem, treating them as gods. So, does this breed hail back to ancient times?
Actually, they don’t.
The earliest known Egyptian Mau was bred in the 1950s when Princess Natalie Trubetskoy of Russia noticed an unusual cat owned by the Egyptian ambassador to Italy. The ambassador told her his unique cat hailed from Cairo, so the princess asked for assistance acquiring her own.
Princess Trubetskoy would go on to breed with the ambassador’s cat, and after some further selective breeding, the first iteration of the Egyptian Mau was born. It would be recognized officially by the Cat Fanciers’ Association in 1977 and the International Cat Association (TICA) in 1979.
Temperament of Maus
Some cats are skittish and scarce at the first sign of something strange and potentially dangerous, but not the Egyptian Mau. These stunning felines are inquisitive and playful, investigating new people, places, and things with a confident curiosity that may make for some genuinely charming moments.
Their friendly demeanor and general confidence make them excellent family cats. They are perfect for bustling households with children or frequent guests, but they also enjoy a good cuddle from time to time.
One of the most endearing things about the Egyptian Mau is their fierce loyalty. While they tend to warm up to strangers more readily than many other breeds, they will still choose that one special person and never wind up too far from their side.
Whether you’re having tons of get-togethers or mostly quiet nights curled up with a book, you can expect your Egyptian Mau to be right there in the action to play, charm, and cuddle their way into your heart.
Exercise for Your Mau
If you bring an Egyptian Mau kitten home, you better be ready for the sheer athleticism you’ll witness firsthand. Egyptian Maus are praised as one of the fastest and most physically gifted breeds available. They’re known to leap great distances with seemingly no effort, so don’t think those delicious cat treats are safe on the counter from prying claws and kitty jaws!
You’ll want to engage them in playtime regularly to help tucker them out and get them to ease into that delightful catnap in the sun. Feather wands, crinkly balls, plush mice, and other kitty favorites will make a splash with your Egyptian Mau.
Having a sprawling playground of cat furniture also works great to give your Egyptian Mau a place to climb, jump, and play the day away, but this option is not as realistic if you’re working with limited space.
Grooming Your Striking Kitty
One of the Egyptian Mau breed’s most iconic characteristics is its stunning, naturally spotted coat, which comes in silver, bronze, or smoke. So, you’ll want to do your best to help your Egyptian Mau maintain its stunning good looks and beautiful coat with some regular TLC.
Thankfully, their coats are medium in length, making mats and tangles less common and grooming more straightforward. Brushing regularly, approximately once a week, will help keep everything in order while spreading their natural oils throughout the coat for an unbeatable shine.
If they’re filthy, you can wash them with shampoo and conditioner for cats or even use a cat-friendly wipe to help clean them up. As natural groomers, Egyptian Maus tend to keep themselves in pretty pristine condition, so you will thankfully not have to battle them into a bathtub and pray not to get clawed.
Vet/Medical Care for This Rare Cat Breed
Always bring a new cat, whether a kitten, adult, or senior, to a veterinarian you trust to establish a baseline for their health. The Egyptian Mau has a lifespan of about 10 to 15 years, and they should remain healthy during those years as long as they get regular care from a qualified veterinarian.
According to WebMD, Egyptian Maus are also susceptible to infections such as rhinotracheitis, panleukopenia, rabies, and calicivirus. Thankfully, vaccines prevent all of these.
Bringing a Mau Kitten Home
Unlike your run-of-the-mill tabby cat, the Egyptian Mau is a relatively rare breed that may be difficult to find. Shelters and rescues may wind up with cats with some traces of Egyptian Mau in there, but it is unlikely they’ll have a purebred Egyptian Mau available. So, your best option is to locate and work with a certified breeder of Egyptian Maus.
Purchasing an Egyptian Mau through a breeder guarantees you will receive a bona fide, authentic Egyptian Mau, but the pedigree costs a pretty penny. Expect to pay between $800 and $2,000 for a true Egyptian Mau kitten.
Once you have found and picked up your precious bundle of fur, acclimate them slowly, introducing new stimuli gradually while they get their bearings and build their confidence. Before long, they will run the roost and add much love and joy to your home.
And once they’re settled, don’t be shy to give your friends here at Space Coast Pet Services a call for some of the best pet services in Brevard County. We’ll keep them company while you’re away, play with them, and give them all the love they deserve!
Don’t wait; contact us today!
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