Egyptian Mau: Origin, Cost, Care, Facts, & More

Cats are mysterious creatures, and their origin is even more mysterious, just like Egyptian Mau! As its name suggests, it carries a history of over 3,000 years. That’s fascinating, isn’t it? 

Egyptian mau cats are considered one of the most regal and intelligent cat breeds in the world. With its striking spotted coat and playful personality, anyone can easily identify this feline from afar. Not only its origin and history, but also its appearance and characteristics, are pretty intriguing and interesting. Today, in this blog, I will be sharing complete information on the Egyptian mau breed. So, whether you’re wondering about the Egyptian mau’s health, lifespan, or cost, this post is for you.

Let’s get started. 

Overview

So, what is an Egyptian mau?

History 

• Cats have always had a special connection with ancient Egyptian people. 
• The exact origin of Egyptian Mau is not known, but they bear a striking resemblance to felines portrayed in ancient Egyptian art.
• In fact, the word “Mau” itself translates to “cat” in ancient Egyptian, which even strengthens this connection. 
• It is believed that these cats emerged in the mid-20th century. 
• Later, in 1956, a Russian princess named Nathalie Troubetskoy introduced an Egyptian mau cat breed named Baba to the world. 

Appearance

How do you identify Egyptian mau? 

• Egyptian Mau is a medium to large cat breed that usually weighs about 8 to 13 pounds. 
• These felines have long and slender bodies with athletic stances. 
• The gorgeous spotted coat with oval-shaped spots makes this cat breed unique and distinct among all the cat breeds. 
• Their powerful muscles and long hind legs grant them exceptional jumping and running abilities.

So, how big do Egyptian mau cats get? 

Here is the Egyptian Mau general weight chart for your reference: 

Age	Weight Range	Length Range
Birth	3–3.5 ounces	3–4 inches
2 months	1–2 pounds	5–6 inches
4 months	4–6 pounds	7–8 inches
6 months	6–8 pounds	10–12 inches
12 months	7–10 pounds	14–16 inches
18 months	8–12 pounds	14–16 inches

Coat and Color

Egyptian mau felines are most commonly available in silver, but there are other coat colors, including: 

• Bronze
• Gray 
• Smoke
• Black
• Ebony
• Caramel
• Brown
• Sable

Characteristics and Temperament

Now, let’s learn about the Egyptian mau temperament and personality.

• These felines are well known for their playful and friendly nature.
• These cats are also quite affectionate, so they need constant attention from their owners. 
• This is why it is recommended to spend plenty of time with your Egyptian mau kittens so that they don’t feel alone and left out. 
• Even though they’re highly energetic and like to run around the house, they’re also gentle with kids and other pets, making them excellent family pets. 
• People who own Egyptian mau cats described them as loving and loyal animals. So, you can obviously trust these adorable felines and include them in your family. 

Here is the characteristic table of Egyptian cats: 

Egyptian Mau Characteristics
Affection Level	High
Friendliness	Medium
Playfulness	High
Kid-Friendly	Medium
Pet-Friendly	Medium
Energy Level	High
Intelligence	High
Tendency to Vocalize	Medium

Health and Nutrition :

• Just like any other cat breed, Egyptian Maus also need high-quality cat food that is rich in protein and essential nutrients. 
• You can give both wet and dry food to your Egyptian kitty. 
• You can also consult your vet to prepare the best diet chart according to your cat’s age, health conditions, and activity level.

So, how much should you feed an Egyptian Mau cat?

Age	Wet Food (oz)	Dry Food (cups)
4-6 weeks	2-3	1/4 – 1/2
6-8 weeks	3-4	1/2 – 3/4
8-12 weeks	4-5	3/4 – 1
12-16 weeks	5-6	1 – 1 1/4
16-20 weeks	6-7	1 1/4 – 1 1/2
20+ weeks	7-8	1 1/2 – 2

Apart from knowing how much to give, it’s also vital to know what to give to your cat. 

Here is the list of foods that you should and shouldn’t give to a feline: 

Food	Can Give	Not Give
Meat:	Cooked chicken, turkey, fish, beef, and lamb	Raw or undercooked meat, spoiled meat, processed meats like bacon, sausage, or hot dogs
Grains:	Cooked rice, quinoa, and oats	Bread, pasta, pastries, and cereals
Vegetables:	Cooked or steamed vegetables like carrots, green beans,beans, and broccoli	Onions, garlic, grapes, raisins, and mushrooms
Dairy:	Plain yogurt, cheese	Milk, cream, and ice cream
Fruits:	Cooked or steamed fruits like apples, bananas, and berries	Citrus fruits, chocolate, and avocado
Treats:	Small amounts of cooked chicken, turkey, fish, or tuna	Commercial cat treats, human food

Egyptian maus are also prone to a few health issues, such as:

• Obesity
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Pyruvate kinase deficiency
• Dental Problems 
• Gingivitis 

Exercise and Training 

• As we already mentioned, Egyptian maus are quite active and highly energetic cat breeds. 
• They need plenty of exercise along with regular playtime to keep them healthy and happy.
• Involve them in outdoor activities like jumping, running, and games like fetch, hide and seek. 
• You can also give your kitty puzzle toys for interactive play sessions, which is highly recommended for their mental stimulation. 
• The best thing is that Egyptian maus are an intelligent breed that quickly learns tricks.
• With the help of positive reinforcement training methods, you can teach and train your Egyptian cat. 

Grooming Needs 

• Egyptian maus have short, fine coats, so they require minimal grooming. 
• They require brushing at least 1–2 times a week. This will help to remove loose hair and distribute skin oils. 
• They’re also low shedders, so at that time, they need more brushing. 
• Doing these simple grooming things will make your cat’s coat healthy and shiny. 
• Don’t forget about cleaning their ears, brushing their teeth, and trimming their nails from time to time. 
• You can also visit your local groomer for grooming services like haircuts and routine checkups.

Are Egyptian Mau hypoallergenic?

No, Egyptian Mau is not considered to be hypoallergenic. Even though these felines have short coats and produce minimal dander, they are still responsible for allergies. So, this cat breed is not recommended for people with severe cat allergies.

Price 

How much is an Egyptian mau?

The Egyptian Mau is one of the rarest cat breeds; it is also expensive. On average, the price of an Egyptian cat ranges anywhere between $900 and $2500. However, the price can go up to $5,000 depending on factors like breeder location, lineage, age, and coat color. 

Where to buy an Egyptian mau?

It is always best to buy Egyptian mau kittens from a reputable and licensed breeder. If you want to get a cat at an affordable price, search for ‘Egyptian mau kittens for sale’ on Google. There are also rescue centers and adoption clubs where you can find this rare cat breed; however, the chances of finding one are quite low. 

Lifespan

How long do Egyptian mau cats live? 

The Egyptian Mau lifespan is about 12 to 15 years when provided with a balanced diet and a stimulating environment. These cats thrive on plenty of exercise, playtime, and lots of love.

FAQs

Final Thoughts 

Egyptian cats are one of the most beautiful and rare cat breeds in the world. With their striking spotted coat, mysterious history, and friendly temperament, these felines can make anyone fall in love with them. They’re highly active and always up to learning new things, so make sure to give them appropriate playtime along with a balanced diet. That’s it; your kitty will stay happy with you and bring lots of joy to your family. 

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