Meet the Great Pharaoh Feline: The Egyptian Mau Cat

Nicknamed the Pharaoh Cat, for centuries the Egyptian Mau has captured the hearts of cat lovers worldwide. Loved for their sweet personality and playful nature, Maus are the type of cats every cat enthusiasts needs to own at some point in their lives. To learn if the Egyptian Mau is the right companion for you, read on!

Also known as the Egyptians and Pharaoh Cat, the Egyptian Mau is an ancient cat breed that dates back to 1400 BC. These furry-felines are not only known for their playful personalities but also their exotic looks. Unlike the Ocicat, the Egyptian Mau is considered to be the only naturally spotted cat breed.

A cat who walked among Pharaohs, the Egyptian Mau has a mysterious yet intriguing history. Although the sands of time have skewered their origins story, ancient Egyptian papyri show that the Mau cat dates back to the year1400 BC to 1500 BC.

The Egyptian Maus were first imported into the United States of America from Cario, Egypt. And, it was only until 1968 when the Cat Fanciers Federation accepted the Egyptian Mau as an official pedigree breed.

In Ancient Egypt, the Mau was considered a working cat. They were revered for their ability to keep pesky rodents and snakes away from homes. Today these cats have well retired from their hunting days in Egypt, they now simply remain as great household pets.

The Egyptian Mau is a breathtaking exotic cat breed that weighs anywhere between 5 to 12 lbs (2 – 5.5 kg). Egyptians are a medium-sized cat breed that have a well-muscled and powerful body. They have a medium sized muzzle, wedged shaped-rounded head, and large ears. Maus are not heavily built cat breeds; instead, they will have a fine, almost polished look to them.

The coat pattern of the Egyptian Mau is spotted markings which are distributed along their torso. The legs and tail end of the Egyptian Mau will have distinct stripes, rather than spots. The most distinctive trademark of the Egyptian Mau is their mascara stripes! All Mau cats will have dark lines that outline their cheeks and the corner of their eyes.

Undoubtedly, the most awe-inspiring feature of the Maus is their eyes. These lovely felines retain a beautiful gooseberry green eye color. Mau kittens are born with amber overtone eyes; it is only after 18 months that the true gooseberry green tones begin to show.

The Egyptian Mau will come in three different coat colors; which are:

Egyptians are often referred to as a well-balanced cat breed. They are the types of cats who aren’t overly demanding of your attention, nor are they too reserved. The personality and temperament of Egyptian Maus will vary from cat-to-cat.

No two Maus are ever alike, they all have their unique, quirky characters.

Maus are very well-known for their playful demeanor. These exotic felines will enjoy the company of other pets, including dogs!

One of their unique features is their ability to talk to their humans. Egyptian Maus will have a soft meow and love to chortle.

Because of their active and outgoing personalities, these cats will require plenty of mental stimulation. If left alone for too long, Maus can get quite destructive and temperamental.

So, if you’re interested in adopting a fun-loving Egyptian Mau, then rest assure, with proper socialization you could get a friendly kitty perfect for the whole family.

The Egyptian Mau isn’t the only cat native to Egypt. The Abyssinian, a cat breed that has been prized for its unique ticked coat. Historians today are still uncertain as to where the Abyssinian originated from!

Archeological evidence does suggest that the Abyssinian may have once walked alongside the great Pharaohs of Egypt. However, other theorists believe that the Abyssinian may have originated from Abysinnia, which is known today as Ethiopia.

There are a few dog breeds that are believed to have originated from Egypt. These dog breeds are the Saluki, the Greyhound, and the Basenji.

Being an ancient cat breed has its benefits! The Egyptian Mau is considered to be one of the healthiest cat breeds around. These feline friends have no known inherited diseases common to their breed. However, like many other cat breeds, the Mau is predisposed to a viral infection known as the Feline Leukemia Virus.

Feline Leukemia Virus is a viral infection that causes anemia, weight loss, and death in cats. A cat of any breed who has not been vaccinated has the potential to catch this deadly viral infection. However, many studies have shown that a select few cat breeds are more susceptible to the Feline Leukemia Virus. These include the Burmese, the Persian, and of course the Egyptian Mau.

ESAs (emotional support animals) are assistance animals which can provide comfort and security to their owners. The criteria for an ESA is simple, animals who are social, friendly, trainable, and affectionate, will always make great ESAs!

The great thing about Egyptian Maus is that they can meet all 4 of these traits. Mau cats are generally thought of as friendly and easy-to-train animals.

Owning this elegant Pharaoh Cat will not be easy work. They are active, agile, and social pets who will require a lot of playtime and human interaction. Nevertheless, if you are ready to commit to an Egyptian Mau, then we guarantee you’ll love them like crazy.

Sometimes it may be hard finding an Egyptian Mau kitten in shelters. If you’re a person who really wants to own a Mau kitten, then make sure you search for a reputable breeder.

If you’d like to save a life, then consider adopting an Egyptian Mau from a shelter or rescue. Providing a home to a shelter animal can be a rewarding and life-changing experience. There are many places you can go to begin searching for your first Mau. Visit your local SPCA, animal shelter, and even local breeders for more information on adopting this breed.

If you’re ready to get an Egyptian Mau, then you may have to take up a few extra jobs to pay for one! Depending on the color variety and breeder, an Egyptian Mau can cost anywhere between $800 to $1200.

The Egyptian Mau is a great cat for anyone looking for a playful companion. These felines have great social skills and can adapt well to a new environment. Because of their sweet and affectionate nature, it is easy to see why Maus make great emotional support animals.