We would have to travel a long way back in time, all the way to 2000 BC, to find the first examples of the Egyptian Mau cat. Among pharaohs, gods and mystical beliefs, this magnificent feline breed paraded in all its beauty. Too much for us ordinary mortals, who cannot stretch our imagination quite that far — so we must make a great leap forward to the 1950s, when this royal cat fortunately made its way through our country. Let's discover the characteristics and history of the Egyptian Mau cat.
History of the spotted Egyptian cat
The word Mau in Egyptian means simply "cat", so that is exactly what it should be called — Mau, and nothing more — as if it needed no description or words at all. One look is enough to find all the ancient, mystical beauty of the feline breed. The Egyptian Mau, or Egyptian Mau, is perhaps the oldest cat breed ever to have existed on earth. Yet of its earliest life, lived in ancient Egypt, we know very little. We know it was venerated as a god and that it populated the grand residences of the pharaohs; we know it was often adorned with priceless jewels, just like its king, and that it roamed freely through the streets of Cairo and Thebes — but that is all.
It was not until the 1950s that a silver kitten with tiny jet-black spots all over its body and eyes as green as a precious stone came, quite by chance, into the hands of Russian princess Nathalie Trubeckoj. Captivated by such beauty, the princess decided to bring it to Canada by way of Rome, founding the very first Egyptian Mau cat breeding establishment, Fatima. It was the box that contained the kitten — bearing writing in the Egyptian language — that revealed its origins to the princess. To expand the development of the new breed, Nathalie had additional specimens brought directly from Egypt, and the Egyptian Mau grew in numbers, earning official breed recognition in 1977.
Breed standard of the Mau cat
The Egyptian Mau has a spotted coat, with perfect little markings in a shade much darker than the base colour. Three colours are accepted: silver, bronze and black. The Mau's build is characterised by quick, powerful muscles concealed beneath an exceptionally elegant bearing. The cat's tail is approximately 20 cm long, the legs are slender yet very strong, and its gait is sinuous and watchful — always poised to burst into a wild sprint at a speed that, proportionally speaking, closely recalls that of its distant cousin the cheetah, from which it has evidently inherited more than just its spots.
What allows the Egyptian cat to extend its body sufficiently to reach such high speeds are small folds of skin on its underside, known as goussets, which stretch down to the hind limbs. The muzzle is wedge-shaped and graceful, the eyes a bright, clear green with no shading, and the ears large and pointed. The Egyptian Mau requires very little care, as its physique is highly resilient and adaptable to all environments. The cat's coat can be brushed once a week — more to give it a shine than for any other reason. Its diet should be balanced, combining wet and dry food; when it comes to quantities, the Mau manages very well on its own, burning off whatever it eats quickly during its hunting sessions and boundless sprints.
Temperament of the Egyptian Mau cat
The Egyptian Mau is a decidedly affectionate cat — sometimes even too affectionate! It socialises happily with its entire adoptive family; as a rule, it chooses a kindred spirit to bond with and, in the truest sense of the word, never lets go. The Egyptian cat follows its owner around the house and waits for them to stop moving before climbing onto their lap; in the morning it gives them no peace until it has received its daily dose of cuddles, and in the evening it is perfectly happy to watch television perched on their legs.
The Mau cat is a food-loving cat that tends to rummage around the kitchen in search of something tasty. It loves to play hide-and-seek and is impossible to catch. It enjoys cat toys and, although it adapts well to apartment life, it absolutely needs to be able to go outdoors; without an outlet, it will quite literally devastate the house during one of its frenzied sprints. Sociable and playful, it nonetheless insists on having its own space — if it is not in the mood to interact, it retreats to a safe spot and stays out of sight until it decides otherwise. It is a cat well suited to children, with whom it loves to play, though it may be a little too demanding for elderly people. It dislikes being alone, but equally dislikes noise; it draws its owner's attention by modulating its meow according to what it wants, making itself perfectly understood.
Breeding the Egyptian Mau cat
The Egyptian Mau kitten is wonderfully sweet and cuddly; slightly self-centred, so much so that if it is not the centre of attention when it wants to be, it will not hesitate to climb up its owner's clothing until it is picked up. It needs cat toys and time outdoors, because it cannot ignore its innate hunting instinct — which is why, even indoors, a scratching post and a few small toys to play with when it cannot go outside are essential.
The Egyptian cat has a strong personality from a very young age and certainly does not go unnoticed — unless it chooses to. When deciding to welcome one into your home, it is worth bearing in mind that, however self-sufficient and independent it may be, the Egyptian Mau is a cat breed that demands a great deal of attention; in return, it gives back a love that is simply disarming.
