When you’re getting a cat, you’re mostly concerned about her temper. Is she going to get along well with your lifestyle and potentially, other household members? You don’t want to risk giving her up for adoption in a month because your feline couldn’t adjust to your home. So, what are some main Egyptian Mau characteristics that you should know about?
Since this is a rare breed, you probably don’t know much about her. The only thing you can tell by now is that this is one elegant cat who looks like she used to live with noble pharaohs. This may be one of the main reasons why people started getting interested in this breed.
But there’s so much more you need to learn about this beauty if you want to share a home with her. So, let’s start right away and see what this mysterious cat has in store for you.
The most important Egyptian Mau characteristics
As you can already tell by her name, Egyptian Mau originates from Egypt. She has been a part of Egyptian culture for a very long time and many of the ancient Egyptian artwork proves that.
This spotted, short-sized queen has a special place in Egyptian history. But you may wonder how she became popular worldwide.
Well, it all started back in the 50s when a Russian princess Nathalie Troubetskoy brought three of her Egyptian Maus to Italy and then to New York City. After that, this breed’s popularity kept growing and more and more people wanted to find out more about her.
Show owners and breeders are particularly interested in Egyptian Mau due to her elegance. She’s a true beauty and she knows it.
However, this breed is still considered rare and not many people get a chance to become her proud owners.
Now that you know a bit more about her history, let’s get back to our topic and find out everything there is about this furry feline.
1. Appearance
The main reason why these cats are extremely popular among breeders is the fact that they have naturally spotted fur. This is something that rarely happens in the feline world.
Even though your favorite Egyptian Mau belongs to low to medium-sized breeds, you’ll still notice that her legs are long and muscular. This makes her look elegant whenever she stands still, which is again, one of the reasons why people consider her a great show cat.
Egyptian Maus come in six different colors: silver, bronze, smoke, black, caramel, and blue. However, the only shades that are accepted by Cat Fanciers’ Association are smoke, bronze, and silver.
Like many other tabby cats, they also have a well-known “M” marking on their foreheads. They have rounded eyes which can give you an illusion that your cat is constantly worried about something.
“How am I going to succeed at being even more elegant and beautiful today?” That seems like a reasonable thought that’s roaming around the head of an Egyptian Mau.
2. Personality
Her looks may be captivating but what are some Egyptian Mau characteristics regarding her personality? Does she get along well with people and other animals? Or does she prefer to live alone?
Well, the first time you meet this kitty, you may assume that she’s stand-offish and reserved. But actually, she just needs a bit more time to get to know you. After she gets used to her surroundings, an Egyptian Mau will show you how affectionate she actually is.
She develops strong connections with her owners so don’t be surprised to get home only to find her waiting for you at the door.
This kitty can get along with children who know how to treat her properly. She can also live in peace with other cats once she gets used to them.
We’re talking about an intelligent and active breed that loves to use her energy during the day. She can also get a bit talkative (not as much as an average Siamese cat, though), but still, you’re going to hear her chirping and meowing as if she’s trying to have a chat with you.
All in all, this is a friendly cat who will love to be around you. Just give her enough time to get to know you and form a bond with you. After that, you’ll enjoy her cuddles and soft meows.
3. Entertainment
I’ve already mentioned how this is an active breed. One of her main characteristics is that she’ll jump on your furniture, climb on your closet, and scratch at your windows as she’s trying to see what’s going on outside.
This kitty will require you to play with her on a regular and provide her with different activities that are going to help her waste all that accumulated energy.
This is not your regular lap cat who’s going to cuddle with you all day long. Instead, she needs to stay active which is why she has a muscular build.
So, if you want to keep your Egyptian Mau happy, ensure you provide her with different interactive toys that are going to become her best friends. Toys she can chase, scratching posts, and cat trees are all great options when it comes to this breed.
Also, don’t forget to play with her as this is a great way to strengthen the bond between the two of you. If you want to, you can train her to fetch toys and walk on a leash. Since we’re talking about an intelligent breed, she’ll be able to master these tricks in no time.
4. Health issues
Egyptian Mau doesn’t seem to suffer from any breed-specific illnesses. But still, she’s prone to certain health issues which most cats can suffer from.
These include dental disease and gingivitis, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, kidney disease, and lower urinary tract disease.
Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gums around the teeth. The best way to prevent it is to brush your cat’s teeth regularly and take care of her oral hygiene. However, if you notice any of the signs such as drooling, bad breath, and loss of appetite, then make sure to take her to the vet.
He’s going to check the condition of your feline’s teeth and provide her with an appropriate treatment.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a condition where your cat’s heart walls thicken and reduce the function of the heart. This can eventually lead to heart failure and death. So, the best way to prevent it is to take your cat to regular vet checkups.
If you notice any of the signs such as loss of appetite, blood clots, difficulty breathing, and weak or unstable pulse, then you shouldn’t wait for your next appointment but rather take your feline straight to the vet. These are all some of the symptoms which can mean that your cat is suffering from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
Lower urinary tract disease is common among felines and includes abnormalities in the structure and function of the bladder and the urethra.
If you notice signs such as blood in urine, difficulties urinating, or constant need to urinate you should take her to the vet to check what’s going on. Also, pay attention if she licks her genital region often or if she starts peeing outside the litter box.
These are all common symptoms in cats suffering from lower urinary tract disease.
5. Grooming
Egyptian Maus have a short coat that doesn’t shed much. So, you shouldn’t have any issues taking care of their fur. Brushing them once a week will be enough to keep their coat all clean and tidy.
This breed also doesn’t shed much so you won’t have to keep vacuuming after her all the time. However, she’s not a hypoallergenic breed so if you suffer from allergies, maybe consider getting another feline.
While we’re on the topic of grooming, make sure to check your cat’s eyes, ears, and teeth regularly. Felines are usually prone to infections so giving them a closer look to see if everything’s okay should prevent your cat from developing any serious condition.
6. Diet
Egyptian Mau cats don’t require any specific diet. Like other felines, they need meat-based cat food that’s going to provide them with all the nutrients that are necessary for their development.
Avoid food that’s made out of meat by-products since it usually doesn’t have enough animal proteins which are necessary for your cat’s health.
Also, don’t forget to provide your cat with a source of clean, drinking water. Replace the liquid in her water bowl every once in a while to ensure she always has fresh water.
Felines are terrible at keeping themselves hydrated so consider getting your kitty a water fountain. A great thing about Egyptian Maus is that they usually love water so maybe, she’ll manage to drink some of it while playing with it.
Is Egyptian Mau the right breed for you?
Now that you know everything about this breed, you can decide if she’s the right choice for you. If you don’t mind an active kitty who’s going to run around your home as much as she wants, then this breed is a good option.
Once she gets to know you, she’s going to form a bond with you and show you her appreciation for giving her all the love and attention she deserves. However, she’s not your usual lap cat so don’t expect her to cuddle with you all day long.
She may be affectionate but she’s also independent, so just keep that in mind before you start looking to adopt or buy a specimen of this breed.