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Egyptian Mau Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Written by: Christian Adams

Last Updated on February 29, 2024 by Catster Editorial Team

Two cute Egyptian Mau cats

Egyptian Mau Cat Breed Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits

Breed Overview

Height:

8–10 inches

Weight:

7–9 pounds

Lifespan:

13–15 years

Colors:

Silver, bronze, smoke, solid black, blue silver, blue spotted, blue smoke, solid blue

Suitable for:

Apartment living, families with older children, most lifestyles

Temperament:

Strong-minded, active, fearless, playful

You’ll notice the Egyptian Mau right away because of their stunning silvery coats and gorgeous eyes. You might wonder just what this cat is all about. Rare and beautiful, the Egyptian Mau takes on the notable spots of the tabby cat, being one of the only purebreds around who solely sports this pattern.

You’re probably wondering just what to expect from an Egyptian Mau. After all, you’ll want to know if you are even compatible before making that final decision. Let’s explore this lovely breed to see what you can expect once you bring them home.

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Egyptian Mau Kittens – Before You Welcome One Into Your Family…

Egyptian Mau
Image Credit: Anastasiia Chystokoliana, Shutterstock
Energy
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A high-energy cat needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to keep healthy and happy, while a low-energy cat needs minimal physical activity, but still needs mental stimulation. When choosing a cat, It’s important to ensure their energy levels match your lifestyle.
Trainability
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Cats that are easy-to-train are more willing and skilled at quickly learning prompts and actions with minimal training. Harder-to-train cats are usually more stubborn or aloof and require a bit more patience and practice.
Health
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Certain cat breeds are more prone to various genetic health problems, and some more than others. This doesn’t mean that every cat in those breeds will have these issues, but they do have an increased risk, so it’s important to understand and prepare for any additional needs they may require.
Lifespan
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Due to their size or potential genetic health issues of a specific breed, some cats have shorter lifespans than others. Proper nutrition, exercise, mental stimulation, and hygiene also play an important role in your cat’s lifespan and quality of life.
Sociability
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Some cat breeds are more social than others, both towards humans and other cats and animals. Cats that are more social have a tendency to rub up on strangers for scratches or jump on laps for cuddles, while cats that are less social shy away, hide, are more cautious, and even potentially aggressive. No matter the breed or gender, it’s important to socialize your cat and expose them to many different situations.

What’s the Price of Egyptian Mau Kittens?

This breed isn’t the most popular, and finding one could be the most challenging part. When you buy an Egyptian Mau kitten, you can expect to pay somewhere between $800 and $1,200

The cost will depend on the cat’s pattern, color, and breeding. Each breeder will have their own prices for various reasons. Even kittens in the same litter might cost different amounts due to specific markings or coloration. Because this breed is a rarity, you might not see one at a local rescue or shelter, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. You can always check locally to see if there is a cat in need of a new life.

If you’re lucky enough to spot one, you can expect to pay around $100 to $150. Pricing usually covers any vetting, like vaccinations, health checks, and the cost of spay or neuter procedures.

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3 Little-Known Facts About Egyptian Mau Cats

1. Egyptian Mau Cats Have Longer Pregnancies Than Other Felines

The average gestation period for a feline is roughly 64 days. An Egyptian Mau, however, goes much longer—a whopping 73 days! They have the most prolonged pregnancies of any other domesticated cat breed.


2. Egyptian Mau Cats Are One of the Only Spotted Domesticated Cats

One of the trademark traits of an Egyptian Mau cat is its adorable spotted pattern. While many cats can sport a spotted tabby coat, this cat is one of the only purebred cats with this coat type.


3. Egyptian Mau Cats Have Green Eyes

One surefire way to know if you have an Egyptian Mau is their intensely vivid eyes—called “gooseberry green.” If you look at both the gooseberry fruit and the eyes of an Egyptian Mau, you won’t wonder how they came up with the comparison. It’s almost exact.

Egyptian mau on white background
Image Credit: MDavidova, Shutterstock

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Egyptian Mau

Egyptian Mau cats are moderately active and intelligent. They will be playful when the mood strikes. They’re incredibly alert, which can make them good hunters. You might find them getting into mischief, like knocking things off of the counters or getting into anything that looks like a fun string to chase.

While these cats aren’t necessarily calm, they may come for a quick cat nap or rub up against you for petting. They are generally very interactive with people, no matter what kind of mood they’re in. One thing is for sure—they have no issue letting you know how they feel.

These cats are also very vocal, letting you know when they want attention, need food, or become upset. These vocalizations can help you explore your cat’s unique quirks and preferences, but frequent meowing won’t work for every family.

If you’re interested in a calmer, quieter feline, you might want to veer away from this cat—regardless of how much their looks strike your fancy. If the talking doesn’t bother you, you might find amusement in their kitty language.

Are These Cats Good for Families?

Egyptian Mau cats are very bonded to their families. However, the cat can be very wary of strangers. They tend to be somewhat reserved. If you have company come over to visit, they might flee from sight rather than seek attention.

They prefer to stay back and observe until they are comfortable with the situation. If you plan on growing your family, they may not respond to a newcomer—such as a baby—with open arms. It takes them a while to adjust to change.

For this reason, it takes a toll on an Egyptian Mau to be rehomed. Always make sure that you’re able to carry on the commitment when choosing this breed. They can be very shy, aloof, and sometimes flat-out uninterested in changes in their environment.

Even though they might snap their nose at the baby or run and hide from a toddler, that doesn’t mean that they all share the same sentiment with children aged 6 years and older. By this age, their energy levels mesh, and the children have already learned to respect the animal’s boundaries.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

These cats are fearless. They won’t be scared of your dog, even if it’s enormous. They won’t be the ones to run and hide under a chair or escape into another room. If they feel threatened, they will stand their ground.

Because of this, it’s important only to have cat-friendly dogs around. Egyptian Mau cats won’t tolerate annoyances or poor behavior, which might upset the wrong dog. Take precautions and always make sure your animals respect each other’s boundaries. These cats can get along fantastically with other furry friends. Some might even prefer having another animal to play, cuddle, and nap with.

While they love having a companion around, they work in homes as the only pets, too. As long as you have the right means of stimulating their minds, they won’t have an issue. It’s much easier to integrate your Egyptian Mau into a multi-pet household than to add a new pet later.

Having any cat around smaller animals that they might mistake as prey can be a huge risk to take. Always make sure you take the proper measures to separate any tiny pets from your cat.

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Things to Know When Owning an Egyptian Mau:

Food & Diet Requirements

Because cats are obligate carnivores, they need protein over any other ingredient in their diet. In the wild, feral cats will eat nothing but meat and drink water. So, even though it won’t be the only two components in your cat’s diet, protein is essential.

As kittens, your Egyptian Mau will need the necessary amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals. They will benefit most from a calorie-rich, nutrient-dense dry kibble—though you can add in wet food as a topper.

While the Egyptian Mau doesn’t have any particular food sensitivities, that doesn’t mean you might not run into issues. These cats are prone to gastrointestinal issues—some of which can be diet-related. Always be on the lookout for cues that their food might not agree with them, such as bloating, gassiness, or diarrhea.

Because Egyptian Mau’s are prone to mouth and gum disease, it’s especially important that you don’t offer only a wet food diet. Wet food has been linked to dental deterioration and plaque buildup. The kibble crunch is important to clean their teeth.

Exercise

When it comes to exercise, cats generally take care of this need on their own. That’s especially true of the Egyptian Mau since they love playtime anyway. These cats do very well romping around independently, and some might not even need someone to partake.

You might find them chasing plastic milk rings, hair bands, and other objects you have in your home. They also benefit from toys and scratching posts to avoid damage to your furniture.

In total, cats only need about 15 to 20 minutes of exercise per day to stay happy and healthy.

Egyptian mau on white background
Image Credit: MDavidova, Shutterstock

Training

When it comes to basic concepts like litter training, these cats take to it almost immediately. A few introductions to the box, and they should have it down in no time. However, if you’re having a little bit of a problem, you could initially restrict their space to get better acclimated to the environment. Once you feel like they have the hang of things, you can slowly introduce them to the rest of the household.

When learning anything more advanced, this cat will catch on quickly only if they want to. Egyptian Mau’s have a rather headstrong nature, not always acting on command. So, even though they are capable, they might not always be willing. This is one of the great traits of a feline that you have to respect.

Grooming ✂️

The Egyptian Mau needs next to no grooming from their human. They’re fortunate enough to have sleek, short coats that self-maintain. You can still brush your Egyptian Mau, though. They tend to respond well to touching and enjoy the bonding that comes with it.

If your cat is particularly grimy, you can bathe them, but don’t do it more than once a month. It’s really unnecessary, but sometimes they might need extra help to stay in tip-top shape.

Health and Conditions

Overall, the Egyptian Mau is a hardy breed with little to worry about in terms of health. That doesn’t mean all kittens will age without issues. In this breed, specific ailments might arise more commonly.

Minor Conditions
  • Asthma—this may occur due to environmental allergens.
  • Mouth and Gum Disease—several mouth and gum diseases can affect your Egyptian Mau’s dental health.
Serious Conditions

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Male vs. Female

While there aren’t many differences in the personality of a male and female Egyptian Mau, there are some notable things that could depend on gender.

Female Egyptian Maus tend to be slightly more aloof with strangers and more particular about whom they want their affection from. Males tend to be more hyper and playful than their female counterparts.

Females might also become very set in their ways. You might find that once she has her mind made up, there is no changing it. So, if she rejects a new playmate or decides she doesn’t like your husband—you probably won’t get her to budge on her stance. Males are usually bigger than females by a couple of pounds. Females tend to be a little lankier and light-boned. This is typical of most felines, not just Egyptian Mau cats.

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Final Thoughts

After learning about what makes this kitty tick, are they the right fit for you or your family? The shy Egyptian Mau can be particular, but they have so much love to give in the right circumstances. And there is no doubt they will turn heads with their swift movements and incredible looks.

If you’re serious about adding an Egyptian Mau to your household, remember to check the authenticity of your selected breeder. Remember, you can always check rescues and shelters for this remarkable feline, too.

Related Read:


Featured Image: Sarah Fields Photography, Shutterstock

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