Egyptian Mau Cats

The Egyptian Mau is thought to have been a domesticated cat in Ancient Egypt. This cat breed may be a descendent of a species of African Wild Cat. The history of this cat breed in the United States is relatively short. It was first imported to the United States in 1956. This ancient cat breed was only recognized by the Cat Fanciers Association (CFA) for championship competition status in 1977.

The most distinctive characteristic of this cat breed is its spotted coat. In fact, it is the only breed of the spotted cat breeds that got its spots naturally and not through breeding practices. The coat of the Egyptian Mau is medium length with random spots over most of the coat. The Egyptian Mau has a banded tail and legs. The characteristic markings of the Egyptian Mau includes an “M” on its forehead.
Only three colors of the coat can be shown in CFA shows. The accepted colors are silver, smoke, and bronze. The smoke color is a pale silver color. Egyptian Mau cats of other colors can be registered but not shown.

The eyes of Egyptian Maus are large, almond-shaped green eyes. The black mascara lines around the eyes accent the brilliant green eyes. The medium to large ears have slightly rounded tips and seem to conflict with the large, pointed ears of other cats that are associated with Egyptian heritage. The Egyptian Mau is a medium size, athletic cat.

This is an intelligent cat breed. They can learn the names of toys and fetch them by name. The Egyptian Mau is loyal to the family and may be shy around strangers. These cats do enjoy interacting with the owners. When happy, the Egyptian Mau cats flick or wiggle their tails and may make vocalizations.

The grooming needs are minimal. Occasional brushing can help reduce shed hair around the home. The hair should not be brushed frequently. Some Egyptian Mau cat owners prefer to rub a soft chamois cloth across the coat. The cat’s nails need regular trimming. The average weight of the Egyptian Mau is six to twelve pounds.