The Egyptian Mau: The True Spotted Cat

The Egyptian Mau Cat Breed in Brief:

Origin: Egypt

Weight: 6-14 pounds

Average Litter Size: 5-6

Grooming Needs: Low

Life Expectancy: 14 years or longer

Good With Kids: Yes

Good With Other Animals: Yes

One of a few select breeds of spotted domestic cat, the Egyptian Mau bears the distinction of being the only natural spotted breed of domestic cat in existence. Known for their strikingly beautiful coloration, loyalty, and engaging personalities, it’s no wonder that this cat has been a favorite for centuries.

The History of the Egyptian Mau

With the true origins of the Egyptian Mau obscured by the sands of time, many speculate as to where this magnificent spotted-coat cat came from. Some fanciers gesture to the ancient tombs and papyrus that noted the ancient Egyptians commonly kept company with a very loyal and stately-looking spotted feline. In fact, many go so far as to suggest that the Egyptian Mau may have very well been the very first domesticated breed of cat. At one point in time, it was believed that more than 300,000 mummified cats, entombed at the Bast temple in per-Bast were Egyptian Mau, though this was later discovered to be untrue - most of the cats that had been excavated were African wildcats, known as Felis silvestris libyca, the very same cat that is believed to be the ancestor of all modern-day domestic cats. One can only guess as to whether or not the Egyptian Mau is a direct descendant of these beautiful wildcats or if it is merely coincidence.

The more detailed documented history of the Egyptian Mau was first written in the early 1900’s, where it was mentioned that the Egyptian Mau was being bred and exhibited throughout France, Italy and Switzerland. World War II would have a detrimental effect on the breed, as a whole, as it did with many other animals; entering the late 1940’s, there were almost no Egyptian Mau left. It would take a Russian princess to step forward and save this magnificent breed.

It was the Russian Princes, Nathalie Troubetskoy, who is credited with first bringing the Egyptian Mau to the United States. Given a small silver Egyptian Mau kitten, while living in exile in Italy, Troubetskoy was quickly enamored by this adorable ball of fluff and, when she immigrated to New York in 1956, she brought three Egyptian Maus with her when she came: The female (now an adult), named Baba, her kitten Jojo (a bronze Mau), and another silver female by the name of Liza. From these three cats, Nathalie Troubetskoy would go on to start the Fatima Egyptian Mau Cattery, to help preserve and promote the breed. Most of the Maus in the United States, and many throughout the world, can be traced back to the Fatima lines.

The Egyptian Mau Appearance

The Egyptian Mau has the honor of being the only breed of domestic cat that is naturally spotted. Their body is long and graceful, medium in bone, and well-balanced. Males occasionally have a more muscular neck and shoulders but, overall, the two genders share similar characteristics, which often makes them hard to tell apart. Overall, the Egyptian Mau is the epitome` of sleek, athletic felines.

The most noticeable thing about the Egyptian Mau, aside from his incredible personality, is this marvelous cat’s beautiful coat. Unlike other breeds who spot rosettes or bulls eye splotches of color, reminiscent of some tabbies, the Egyptian Mau’s coat is comprised of randomly-placed spots. Usually contrasting against a paler background, these dots of color stand out so vividly, that one is instantly reminded of the wild cats, not unlike the cheetah.

Interesting to note is that, while the cheetah is the fastest of land mammals, the Egyptian Mau is the fastest of all domestic felines. Capable of speeds over 30 miles per hour, the Mau is more agile and flexible than other breeds of cat, a unique flap of skin reaching from flank to the cat’s back knee, which allows for a longer length of stride as the cat stretches out and runs.

Egyptian Mau cats come in several beautiful shades, though only the bronze, smoke and silver varieties are accepted for championship. The Egyptian Mau can also be found in blue, blue silver, blue smoke, and blue spotted, all of which can be shown under the AOV (Any Other Variety) classes, and then the solid black, Mau, who cannot be exhibited, but is sometimes used for breeding purposes.

The Egyptian Mau Temperament

The Egyptian Mau is hardly what one would refer to as a laid-back lap cat. Highly energetic and very playful, these intelligent little cats can be quite mischievous when left to their own devices. The Mau can also be a very demanding individual and, while she may not want to spend much time being held, she will get very lonely if left alone, regularly, for long periods of the day. Fiercely loyal, the Egyptian Mau is notorious for bonding with one or two family members and being very attached to them, commonly following them around the house, “helping out” with chores, and overseeing all that is done within their domain.

Egyptian Mau Grooming Requirements

The beautiful Egyptian Mau is surprisingly simple to groom. Requiring little more than an occasional brushing to help remove any dander or dead hairs from your kitten’s coat, it is recommended that you do this once every one to two weeks. Also remember that handling your Mau when you brush her is a good way to take note of any changes in your cat’s health or behavior, often allowing you to nip potential problems in the bud. Be forewarned, however, that few Egyptian Mau cats enjoy being handled or held, so be sure to start grooming at a young age, and take steps to ensure that it’s a very pleasant and positive experience.

Keeping an eye on your kitten’s ears is equally important when grooming, but only clean the outer parts of the ear with a Q-tip, if you should see any dirt. A foul odor or excessively dirty ears should be examined by your veterinarian immediately, since it could be a sign of infection or mites. The habit of clipping the toenails should be started at an early age and performed regularly - not only will this help to save your furniture, but it saves your kitten from painfully getting this toenails snagged on the carpeting and risking pulling them out or hurting her paws.

Egyptian Mau Health Concerns

The Egyptian Mau is a truly beautiful animal but, with the breed’s small gene pool and decades of inbreeding, there have been many problems in the past, with various genetic diseases. Ethical breeders have their lines checked regularly and take steps to cull out cats that carry these unfavorable traits. If you are looking for an Egyptian Mau kitten, be sure to research your breeder, inquire about veterinarian care and what sort of guarantee they offer, as well as getting the kitten checked by your own vet. The Egyptian Mau can be susceptible to things such as food and vaccine allergies, feline asthma can be a problem, and many cats are at risk for a serious heart condition known as cardiomyopathy.

Is the Egyptian Mau the Right Cat For You?

While gorgeous to behold and very loving towards their families, the Egyptian Mau is not for everyone. While keenly intelligent, these cats are well-known for their mischievous antics, their demands for attention, and their love of climbing to the highest point possible, from which to peer down and survey his domain.

If you want a docile lap cat, the Egyptian Mau will certainly fall short of your expectations. Rarely willing to sit still for a moment, this is a breed of cat that not only utilizes a large amount of energy as well as a large amount of attention. If you’re looking for a cat that will constantly keep you laughing and smiling over his mad-cap adventures, though, the Mau may very well be the perfect cat for you!

Shawna L. Krautheim

2007