These adorable furry friends are known as Egyptian Mau cats. Their spotted coat gives them a unique look that matches their playful personality. The Egyptian Mau cat breed’s origins date back centuries, what do we really know about how these fun-loving felines came to be the cats we know today?
In this blog, we’ll delve into the past and present of their lives. Exploring the different facts that will give you more of an understanding about the Egyptian Mau’s history, personality, needs and more! If you’re looking to become a proud pet parent of an Egyptian Mau, these 10 facts will be your ultimate guide to getting to know your kitty.
1. Origins from Ancient Egypt
The Egyptian Mau breed is aptly named, as their Egyptian origins date back centuries. They are one of the oldest cat breeds at over 3,000 years old! Depictions of similarly looking spotted cats were even uncovered in Egyptian artwork dating back to around 1400 – 1500 BCE.
The Egyptian Mau cat breed was said to have come from the street cats of Egypt, which earned them the name of the Egyptian Mau—with Mau meaning “cat” in ancient Egyptian.
2. A Rare Breed Worldwide
Their distinct history and look make them a rare breed to find worldwide. In fact, fewer than 200 Egyptian Mau kittens are registered with the GCCF cat registry each year.
In the past, there were breeders across the world, but the modern breed is linked to someone called Nathalie Troubetskoy. After living in Rome, she moved to the US where she bred a silver spotted kitten: the Egyptian Mau. Since then, they have been bred worldwide but aren’t yet as widely known as their genetically similar feline family, Maine Coons and Turkish Angoras.
3. Uncommon Appearance
The spots and stripes on the coat of an Egyptian Mau make for a unique look that not many other cats have. In fact, they are one of the few naturally spotted breeds of domestic cat.
Unlike other breeds, whose spotty coat is a result of selective breeding, the Egyptian Mau’s coat is completely natural. Their coats can come in different colours, such as silver, bronze, or smoke. You can identify a Mau cat from the dark tip on their tail and the ‘mascara’ lines that sweep along their cheeks.
4. Striking Eye Colour
As a cat breed, the Egyptian Maus are known for their prominent eye colour. Their wide-set eyes are a bright “gooseberry green” shade that, with the Egyptian Mau’s history, would’ve glistened in the Egyptian sun.
Their eye colour develops as they age, reaching their full colour around 18 months. Egyptian Mau kittens usually have amber eyes until they mature to a bright green.
5. Extremely Agile and Athletic
Another Egyptian Mau fact is that they are a very athletic breed. This translates into their speed, as they are the only domesticated cat that can run at speeds up to 30 mph. They are renowned for being naturally energetic and active, enjoying climbing, jumping, and playing.
As well as their record speeds, they are also known for their ability to leap six feet in the air from standing, so getting treats from human hands is no problem!
6. Faithful Feline Breed
Egyptian Maus are devoted to their pet parents. They are known for bonding heavily with one or two people, which means they may be wearier of strangers they don’t have a bond with.
Their loyal and affectionate nature means that they love attention from their humans. Between their energy levels and love for their pet parents, some describe them as having dog-like characteristics. They may even happily join in a game of fetch!
7. Big Conversationalists
This cat breed loves to chat, or more specifically, chirp and chortle. The vocalization of the Egyptian Mau breed has musical properties which can be heard when they’re making common noises and distinctive sounds.
This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re an excessively talkative breed, but when they do talk, it’s usually to the humans they’re bonded to. Their intriguing “voices” can make for interesting conversation.
8. Enrichment Is Essential
Even as kittens, Egyptian Maus are very intelligent. This means they need lots of enrichment in the form of training, playing, and more. Their intelligence enables them to respond well to positive reinforcement, as they can quickly understand what behaviour can earn them treats!
Play sessions are a great form of enrichment and entertainment, as well as using activity and puzzle feeders.
Their agility also means that they’ll enjoy any opportunity to climb in high places, including jumping onto kitchen counters to get your attention.
9. Making a Splash
Egyptian Maus have a fondness for water that not many other cats have. They have been known to enjoy splashing in their water bowls, dipping their paws in aquariums, or even turning on taps. This aligns with the breed’s overall playful nature. They’ll actively seek out opportunities to have a splash in some water!
10. Friendly with Other Pets
Egyptian Maus can happily live with other pets in the home and are generally known for being able to share a space with other pets well. This is particularly true if they are socialized with other animals from an early age. However, when introducing pets to each other, it’s important to introduce them gradually and at the pace your cat is comfortable with.
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