Egyptian Mau – Breed#13

Introduction

Egyptian Mau is an authentic and truly exotic breed of cat that has its natural spots, bright personality, and elegant agility. Honored as one of the most ancient domesticated cat breeds in the world, an Egyptian Mau cannot be just beautiful in the sense of appearance, but its history is rather rich, and its nature is very warmhearted.

Today, we are going to discuss origins, appearance, personality, care, health and all the things you have to know about one of the most beautiful cats, which can become your next feline pet, the Egyptian Mau.

A Glimpse into the Ancient Past: History of the Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is a special cat in the history of cats. It is commonly regarded as one of the rare naturally spotted domestic cats and its pedigree dates back to thousands of years ago. Catlike paintings of ancient Egypt, Cats portrayed in ancient Egyptian sculptures and hieroglyphics look more like the current Egyptian Mau, a sleek animal with very recognizable spots and an uplinary stance, and are frequently pictured sitting by pharaohs or gods.

Ancient Egyptians loved and even worshipped these cats. Other historians argue that the term Mau is derived as such, of the ancient Egyptian word cat, making the breed rooted in its motherland.

The age of lineage is quite ancient, yet the present breed of the Egyptian Mau took form during the 20th century, primarily in Europe and in the United States. Exiled Russian princess Nathalie Troubetskoy is one of the more interesting personalities in recent breed history as she imported Egyptian Maus into the U.S. in the 1950s, having brought them over with her to Italy following her exile, and started a formal breeding program. Since then, the breed has been recognized and has been a valuable pet since then.

Appearance: Elegance in Every Spot

The fascinating thing about the Egyptian Mau is the graceful muscular body and the natural spots which is not common in the cat world. As a contrast to spotted breeds produced as a result of selective breeding, Mau spots are inherent rather than man made and no two cats have precisely the same spotting.

Key Physical Features:

• Coat: The Egyptian Mau is a short haired cat with various colors being allowed which include: silver, bronze, smoke, black, caramel, and blue. The most popular and distinctive is silver with the spots of charcoal or black.
• Spots: Their spots may be round and irregular and some are oblong. They are found throughout the body as well as the shoulders and the legs.
• Eyes: The Mau has striking gooseberry-green eyes that make his gaze very intense and expressive.
• Body: medium sized and muscular, but of an elegant form. Mau has slightly longer hind legs than front and this makes it appear unique and standing in an elevated posture.
• Skin Flap: This breed possesses a skin flap which is extended between the flank and the hind leg, and is able to extend in a virtually unholy way when running.

This cat is also among the most fast domestic cat and it can run at the speed of 30 miles an hour, which is made possible by its strong legs and aerodynamic structure.

Personality and Temperament: Loyal, Loving, and Lively

Egyptian Mau is a friendly, cool-headed, and smart cat. It returns to its nature of containing warmth and playfulness in its heart, though its appearance might be royal.

Intelligent and Curious

Egyptian Maus are very intelligent and inquisitive in nature. They like to observe the surrounding, unlock cabinets, and solve puzzles. It is a common experience among owners that Maus learnt tricks, figures out tangible objects and even can answer to their names.

Affectionate and Loyal

This breed takes to creating strong connections with the selected humans. Maus are shy of strangers though they are very loving towards family members. They can move with you in the house, curl on the furniture to your side or can chirp and trill for your attention.

Active and Playful

Egyptian Maus are highly active animals who enjoy playing. Be it running after toys, climbing up their cat trees or even racing throughout the house, they need frequent exercises and a stimulating mind to be happy.

Sensitive Souls

Maus are supposed to be sensitive to emotions. They can be stressed by the high noise, any sudden changes, or people whom they are not familiar with. They therefore do well in stable, peaceful families.

Check Out: Devon Rex – Breed#12.

Living with an Egyptian Mau: Care and Environment

Egyptian Mau is a cat that may live as one of the most rewarding pets, although ensuring a healthy and happy life, it is necessary to consider the needs peculiar to this cat.

Grooming Needs

The fine and short coat of the Egyptian Mau is not very demanding.

• Brushing: This should be done to get rid of loose hairs once or twice every week.
• Bathing: This is not always necessary, unless they are dirty or have skin problems.
• Ear Cleaning: Inspect every seven days and clean very carefully whenever necessary.
• Nail Trimming: Regular trimming is important to prevent overgrowth or scratching.
  

Exercise and Enrichment

Mice are active, and they require a lot of space to jump, climb, and run. Provide:

• Cat trees and perches
• Interactive toys
• Puzzle feeders
• Scheduled playtime

Without enough stimulation, they may become bored or even destructive.

Feeding

The Egyptian Mau like all cats will do well on a diet of high protein and low carb. When servicing high-quality wet or dry food, make sure that it covers their nutritional needs. Do not eat fillers and artificial additives.

Indoor vs. Outdoor

Maus can be strongly advised to be kept under house or given some outdoor safe house. They are very swift and curious therefore have high chances of falling into accidents or being lost when they are left to play independently.

Health and Lifespan: A Generally Healthy Breed

The Egyptian Mau is generally a healthy cat, but all breeds are associated with certain health considerations.

Common Health Concerns:

• Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM): It is a heart condition that can be acquired by a cat irrespective of the breed. It is important for check-ups and early diagnosis.
• Leukodystrophy: It is a malady that is extremely rare, passed through generations, and involves the popular neurological manifestation.
• Dental Disease: Teeth health is a factor and regular teeth care is the prevention of gum infections and teeth loss.

It is important to find a vet who does genetic tests to get a healthy kitten as the key decision to get the right breeder.

Lifespan

The average life span of the Egyptian Mau is 12 to 16 years and can extend longer in some cases when the maus are properly taken care of and in an environment that has less stress.

Egyptian Mau vs. Similar Breeds

As peculiar as the Egyptian Mau is, in some cases, it may be compared to the other spotted or exotic-looking types:

• Bengal: wilder-looking, more built-up, busier-minded, bigger than that. Bengals are noisier and brasher.
• Ocicat: Another spotted one but bred using a mixture of domestic breeds. Ocicats are friendly and boisterous yet they lack natural bloodline of the Mau.
• Savannah: a combination of the domestic and several wild cats. Savannah costs are bigger, aerobic, and should be handled by experienced hands.

Mau is one of the few spotted domestic cats that naturally exists, and has a rich history, and is sweet and reserved.

Finding a Reputable Breeder or Adoption Option

When buying an Egyptian Mau, it is necessary to use ethical and reputable sources. Look for:

• Breeders who perform health screenings
• A clean, enriching environment for kittens
• References and reviews from past buyers
• Transparency about the breed and any potential challenges

Egyptian Mau or Mau mixes are eligible to occasionally come around to be adopted by some rescue organizations and breed-specific rescues. This may be a cheaper and humane process particularly to the cat owner who is learned in the care of the cat.

Conclusion

They are beautiful spotted coat cats, but the Egyptian Mau is so much more, with a rich history behind the breed and a personality that is decidedly and unashamedly its own, and a willingness to become an eternal companion of someone who has tried hard enough to win its love. The Mau is considered to be a graceful, intelligent, and faithful pet that is an excellent member of a peaceful, communication-seeking family where it is welcome both physically and emotionally.

Although the breed has certain care requirements and is more reserved, a person that establishes a connection with an Egyptian Mau will get a truly devoted companion and an interesting connection to the ancient world. When you are seeking a cat that is beautiful, athletic and heartwarming; you should not look any further; the Egyptian Mau is simply a gem that you need to consider.

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FAQs About the Egyptian Mau