Egyptian Mau Cat Breed: Info, Pictures, Temperament & More

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.

Breed Overview

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.

Egyptian Mau Characteristics

Egyptian Mau Kittens

Finding an Egyptian Mau kitten from a reputable breeder might be a challenge. There is currently one listed on the CFA website¹ and a handful of breeders with their own websites. Due to the fact they are harder to find than more popular breeds like the Maine Coon and Ragdoll, they will probably be more expensive. But remember that reputable breeders will provide an adoptable kitten from a strong genetic family line, a health certificate, and vaccinations. This is worth the price!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Egyptian Mau 🧠

The Egyptian Mau cat breed is 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 environmental changes.

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? 🐶🐱

The Egyptian Mau is 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.

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 look 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.

Training 🧶

When it comes to basic concepts like litter training, the Egyptian Mau will 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 regarding health. That doesn't mean all kittens will age without issues. In this breed, specific ailments might arise more commonly.

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.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Egyptian Mau

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.

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.

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Featured Image Credit: MDavidova, Shutterstock