Egyptian Mau: breed description, standards, content

Many people, when choosing a pet, are guided not only by the external characteristics of the breed, but also by the character. It is believed that representatives of ancient breeds are the friendliest, most flexible and trainable.

The Egyptian Mau has been known since the ancient kingdom. This is a graceful, intelligent animal with a unique color, bright contrasting stripes and spots on incredibly soft fur.

Description of the Egyptian Mau breed

Popularity 58th place among 86 cat breeds

Lifespan:

13-15 years old

Height:

25-30 cm

Country of origin:

Egypt

Average price:

from 60 thousand rubles

Weight:

3-6 kg
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Advantages and disadvantages

• Pros:
• active and playful;
• have good health;
• quickly adapt to a new environment;
• Frequent grooming of short hair, eyes, teeth and ears is not required;
• get along well with dogs and other cats.

• Minuses:
• cannot stand loneliness and can be quite intrusive;
• due to excellent appetite they are obese;
• hunting instincts are highly developed;
• They adapt poorly to cold weather and suffer from colds.

Keeping an Egyptian cat

The Egyptian Mau is a problem-free breed for keeping in a city apartment. The short coat, devoid of undercoat, is very easy to care for and does not litter the room with fluff even during periods of shedding, as happens with most other domestic cats.

Hygiene and care

Clean Mau do a good job of taking care of hygiene and grooming on their own. But at the same time, Egyptian women simply adore the combing procedure - give them this pleasure as often as possible. And to care for short breed hair, it is quite enough to comb it with a furminator a couple of times a month and, of course, somewhat more often during periods of seasonal shedding.

The Mau's smooth coat requires minimal grooming.

The situation is approximately the same with bathing - there is no special need for it, except for those cases when the cat gets too dirty. But Mau love to swim and are good swimmers. Give them this opportunity - not so much for the sake of hygiene, but for the sake of entertainment and exercise.

Be sure to buy a good scratching post for your pet - Mau from time to time feels the need to give herself a manicure, and you don’t want your sofas and wallpaper to suffer from this.

The claws of these cats grow back quite quickly, and it makes sense to check their condition from time to time, trimming them if necessary. It is also advisable to monitor the cleanliness of eyes, teeth and ears at least once a week in order to promptly prevent the development of inflammatory diseases.

Toilet training

Neatness and cleanliness are the undeniable advantages of representatives of the breed. Egyptian Mau never have problems with the toilet. The mother herself is responsible for training the babies to use the litter box - she simply takes her children by the scruff of the neck at the right moment and carries them to the toilet or persistently calls them there, explaining in understandable cat language what and how to do here. Usually, by the age of one and a half months, kittens already perfectly know how to use the litter box and in the future they will not cause any problems to their owners.

By the time they move, Mau kittens have already been trained in all the intricacies of living in an apartment

When purchasing a kitten, consult with the breeder about what type of tray and filler the baby is accustomed to - then there will be no unpleasant surprises in the new place. It is better to choose a closed type tray - Mau are emotional and can rake the filler too actively, littering the surrounding space.

Feeding

A tendency to overeat is characteristic of many Mau, so the task of their owners is not only to provide a proper, balanced diet, but also to organize sufficient physical activity for their pets. To prevent obesity, regular walks on a leash will not hurt.

Most breeders and owners prefer super-premium hypoallergenic food, which allows them to easily maintain the nutritional balance that is vital for the sensitive digestion of Egyptian Mau. Adherents of natural nutrition will have a more difficult time - they should regularly consult with a veterinarian to adjust the diet of a particular individual.

Do not overfeed Mau - they should always be in sports shape

These cats are gourmets, and sometimes even gluttons. The daily menu of the Egyptian Mau should include the following products:

• beef;
• lean poultry;
• sea ​​fish;
• cottage cheese and kefir;
• fresh or boiled vegetables;
• quail eggs (two to three per week);
• fish oil (dosage will be advised by your veterinarian).

But cereals are a bit heavy for the Mau’s body to accept. Well-cooked porridge from a mixture of rice, buckwheat and oatmeal should not be given more than once a week, and be sure to add a teaspoon of ground flaxseed per serving.

Walking and playing outdoors are necessary for Mau as a means of maintaining good physical shape.

An adult animal needs two feedings a day, kittens and pregnant cats are fed in fractional portions four times a day, adolescents - three times. If your cat shows signs of obesity, put her on a low-calorie diet, reduce the portion size and increase the number of feedings.

Video: features of keeping the Egyptian Mau

https://youtube.com/watch?v=mtS27u_f698

Key facts

The Egyptian Mau is an elite, rare breed of cat that you definitely won’t be able to buy at home. In the Russian Federation, they are bred in specialized nurseries, and in order to get a purebred kitten, sometimes you have to wait for your turn for more than one month.

The following words are suitable to describe the Egyptian Mau breed: strength, grace, sophistication and exotic beauty. This is a calm, balanced, yet active animal that gets along well with children and other pets.

Mau have a developed hunting instinct: they are excellent at catching birds, mice, butterflies, and are able to track their prey for hours. You should only have a breed in a large apartment or house - small spaces depress a playful and mischievous cat.

Interesting characteristics of the Egyptian Mau breed:

1. The country of origin of the breed is Ancient Egypt. The progenitor is the wild cat of Africa. The animal is the personification of the goddess Bastet. The year of registration of Mau in the association CFF – 1968, CFA – 1977, TICA – 1988, FIFe – 1992.
2. This is a friendly, sociable, curious and active animal that loves to be the center of attention. Cats have inexhaustible vitality and are constantly looking for entertainment.
3. Grooming is simple - the animal's body is covered with a short soft coat, which should be combed every 3-4 days.
4. With proper care, the life expectancy of the Egyptian Mau is 15 years. On average, pets live about 13 years.

The exotic Egyptian Mau becomes the decoration of every home and the pride of its owner. She gets along well with all members of the family and does not single out a leader for herself.

The cat is naturally endowed with a pleasant voice with many intonations; she enjoys communicating with people. Unlike many short-haired breeds, it loves water; swimming does not cause aggression or fear in it. The Egyptian Mau is intelligent and easy to train.

How to choose a kitten

You should choose a descendant of the Egyptian Mau in a nursery, where they will be quickly socialized and handed over with all the documents.

A distinctive feature of all Mau is the “M” symbol, which appears even at an early age. Therefore, it is difficult to confuse kittens with other purebred breeds.

When choosing, pay attention to the baby’s mobility and his external condition. He must be well-groomed.

Important! Many nurseries test for the presence of a genetic disease.

History of the origin of the Egyptian Mau

The Mau breed is the oldest on the planet; Egyptian pharaohs admired the gracefulness and playfulness of the cat. Egyptian women copied the eyeliner of animals, and after death the bodies of the animals were mummified, placed in sarcophagi of silver and gold and decorated with them in the temple of the goddess Bastet.

As legend has it, these predators lived alongside the inhabitants of the Nile Valley for many centuries and were excellent at catching rats, mice and snakes, which caused significant harm to households. Because of this, the Mau began to be gradually domesticated: before the New Kingdom (c. 1500 BC) they were completely domesticated and worshiped as a sacred animal.

Archaeologists find images of amazing cats on ancient bas-reliefs: they proudly sit next to the pharaohs and even ordinary Egyptians.

In Europe, an elite and rare breed appeared thanks to Princess Trubetskoy, who lives in Italy. Through the ambassador of Syria, the princess received an Egyptian Mau cat and a purebred cat from Egypt, and the first offspring were born from them.

In 1956, the Russian princess immigrated to America, where she opened the Fatima nursery and registered the Mau with the CFA as a new and natural breed.

Numerous exhibitions took place in the UK, Holland, USA, France, and Japan. Crossing Mau with other breeds in order to obtain a richer and more intense spotted color, as well as the opening of new nurseries, has significantly increased the population of the species.

However, the Egyptian Mau remains a rare breed today, with only 7,326 cats and 3,000 kittens registered with the CFA between 1996 and 2010.

Origin of the breed

The history of the Egyptian Mau is fascinating. The first mentions and images of temple cats date back to 4000-2000 BC. Animals were revered as embodiments of deities and were kept in comfort and honor.

According to one version, the god Ra inhabited the body of a cat. A dexterous and strong predator fought with the incarnation of the deity of chaos and darkness Apophis. The victory of the supreme spirit of the sun was marked by a new dawn every morning.

According to another version, the Mau were the personification of Bastet - the goddess of fertility, love, fun, happiness and joy. She was depicted as a woman with a cat's head.

The ancient Egyptians treated their pets and temple pets with special reverence. After the death of the body, they were embalmed and left in the resting place of the people. In the event of the death of a pet, the owners wore mourning and ritually shaved their eyebrows as a sign of great sorrow.

If someone killed a cat, they faced severe punishment and, in some cases, the death penalty.

Images of Egyptian cats with long legs, a wide chest and a thin body accompany the cultures of all human civilizations. Bronze figurines are found during the Roman Empire. Large cats are depicted on artists' paintings, jewelry, tapestries and sculptures.

The modern history of the Egyptian Mau dates back to 1952, when the Russian princess Natalya Trubetskoy acquired several kittens from the Egyptian ambassador to Italy. Subsequently, she took her favorites with her to the USA and there, thanks to selection, she achieved maximum similarity of the breed with the ancient Egyptian ancestors.

Already in 1968, the Mau became champions of America and received recognition from local felinological communities. The first nursery and community of breeders was organized. In 1977, cats of this breed received CFA certification and permission for international representation at exhibitions.

Initially, the ancestors of the Mau were domestic Egyptian cats, but over the thousand-year history of selection, the blood of Indian, European and American representatives was mixed into them.

What does an Egyptian Mau look like?

Despite the external similarity with other short-haired breeds, the Egyptian Mau has a number of differences: a muscular body, leopard color, almond-shaped green eyes, a wedge-shaped head with a clear letter “M”, reminiscent of the sacred scarab beetle.

Muzzle

As you can see in the photo, the Egyptian Mau’s head is wedge-shaped, and a small hump is clearly visible on the bridge of the nose. The nose is wide along its entire length. Large ears are widely spaced and covered with soft short hair, with “tassels” at the ends.

The hallmark of the ancient breed is always a slightly surprised look. A professional will immediately notice this feature and confirm the elite origin of the cat.

Body type

The body of the Egyptian Mau has a number of significant differences from other cats with short hair:

• it is strong and graceful, there is a large fold of skin on the tummy, which allows the animal to take long steps and jump easily and naturally;
• the limbs are oval and small, and the hind legs are longer than the front ones, which is why the cat seems to “stand”, rising on its toes;
• the tail is slightly narrowed at the tip, medium in length.

The weight of a cat in adulthood reaches four kilograms, and a cat - six kilograms. If we compare the female and male in terms of grace and musculature, then the cats’ bodies fully correspond to the standards of a rare breed. Girls are a little more graceful.

Coat and color

The varieties of Egyptian Mau in terms of coat color are diverse and at the same time characteristic:

1. Short-haired animals have a thin, soft coat structure that shimmers in the sunlight. On each hair you can see alternating light and dark stripes. The neck, hind and front legs are decorated from top to bottom with non-closing rings.
2. The eyes are outlined on the lower and upper sides by dark lines that extend to the ears.
3. Numerous spots are located throughout the body: on the spine they are slightly elongated, on the tail they are ring-shaped. All of them have clear boundaries and go well with the main color of the coat. Sometimes the spots merge into solid lines, but such a pattern is a fault of the breed and is not valued by breeders.

International organizations recognize 3 color options for the Egyptian Mau:

• anthracite-black spots are randomly located on a silver and white background;
• dark brown or black spots look harmonious on a golden or dark background, the tummy and neck are snow-white;
• black spots are on a dark silver or gray background.

Thoroughbred parents can produce offspring of pale or dark silver, warm or cold bronze, blue or completely black - such Mau are recognized as a defect of an elite breed and are not allowed for breeding or any exhibitions. Disadvantages of the Mau are also manifested in a too short head, small eyes and ears, an elastic and short tail, the absence of spots or their merging.

Standards

Externally, Egyptian Mau are similar to Abyssinians: graceful, but look more massive. The weight of an adult cat is 4.5-6 kg, a female cat is 3-4.5 kg.

Breed defects:

• round or small eyes;
• weakly defined jaws;
• malocclusion;
• coarse wool growing in clumps;
• head too short and compact;
• squat and stocky body;
• short thick tail;
• streaks (not spots) on the belly;
• yellow eyes in adults;
• uneven stripes on the body.

Cats that have:

• The tail is curved, broken;
• The iris is colored blue;
• Color without spots and stripes, uniform;
• White specks in the “wrong” places;
• Pink paw pads, pads with a speckled pattern;
• Other defects (deafness, amputated claws, bone deformation).

Character of the Egyptian Mau

This is a very active and playful animal. From an early age, a kitten enjoys exploring the world around him, often going beyond limits and even showing unreasonable aggression. The predatory progenitor is making itself known - the African wild cat.

The kitten needs behavioral correction, which produces positive results by the age of one year. It is at this age that, with proper upbringing, the character of the Egyptian Mau begins to show high social intelligence and noble origin.

Pets get along well with the whole family, but they treat guests with caution - they try not to show excessive curiosity towards them. Cats have a pleasant voice and communicate well with people using a variety of signals. In apartments and houses, pets try to find a higher place in order to quietly observe the events taking place.

The Mau is recognized as the fastest breed of short-haired cat: it can move at speeds of up to 50 km per hour. Due to hyperactivity, the animal needs to be constantly occupied with something. A cat is an “owner”; it must have favorite toys that cannot be taken away. On her own territory, she is not afraid of anything and gladly takes part in everything that happens.

The animal loves walks in the fresh air and quickly gets used to the leash. Due to its high price, Mau often becomes bait for kidnappers. She should not be allowed outside the home or left unattended for a long time.

Price

In Russia this breed is quite rare. The price for an Egyptian Mau cat is quite high, because... In our country there is only one nursery in Moscow.

It is almost impossible to buy it second hand. How much is the Egyptian Mau worth:

• individuals from valuable producers - up to 300,000 rubles;
• kittens with a pedigree - up to 100,000 rubles;
• animals without documents - 30,000-50,000 rubles.

When purchasing an animal without a passport, be extremely careful. There is a high probability of running into scammers and buying a mongrel cat passing off as an Egyptian Mau.

Raising an Egyptian Mau

Nature has endowed animals with good intelligence. Together with their activity and energy, the desire to play and run, cats are easy to train and in adulthood rarely become a problem for their breeders.

But once in unfamiliar territory, Mau take some time to master. In the first 2-3 days of being in the house, the food bowl, bed, and litter tray should be placed in one place so that the kitten gradually gets used to the new rules of life. By moving them 10-20 cm per day, you will be able to place everyday attributes in the right places.

Animals perfectly understand the expression of a human face and the tone of commands, so raising an Egyptian Mau does not pose any particular difficulties, and correcting its behavior is quite easy. When shouting for an offense is not enough, you can easily slap the kitten on the back with a newspaper or a wooden stick, and it is important to make a prohibiting gesture.

A pet has only the concept of “today,” so it must be punished immediately after the prank, otherwise it will not realize its guilt and will try not to appear in front of its owner again, and in the worst case, it will stop responding to commands.

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Nutrition

In order to avoid health problems, you should strictly adhere to the official recommendations:

• feeding should occur regularly at the same time, otherwise the animal may gain excess weight;
• kittens under 6 months of age must be fed 4 times a day;
• For an adult cat, two meals a day are enough; it is recommended to use special balanced food containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals;
• food can be divided into natural and standard, so for the first meal the pet can be given boiled meat or vegetables, and for the second - cat food;
• giving food from your table is strictly prohibited;
• It is necessary to provide the Mau with regular active games and strictly adhere to the feeding schedule.

If the regime is violated, the cat may develop heart problems. It is worth noting that this problem is one of the negative features of the breed.

Health of the Egyptian Mau

Cats have excellent health, they are energetic, active and have an excellent appetite. With proper care, they can live with their loved ones for many years.

Breeders of elite breeds are recommended to adhere to the following rules in content:

• vaccinate the animal on time, constantly carry out anthelmintic prophylaxis, and then the health of the Egyptian Mau throughout its life will not cause any concern;
• cover the apartment windows with nets so that a curious and playful pet does not jump out and get injured;
• periodically add vitamins to food - after consultation with a veterinarian.

Mau breeders should remember about the hyperactivity of animals and create all the conditions for active, long-term games. If this is not done, cats will gain excess weight, which will negatively affect the cardiovascular system and skeletal condition.

Possible diseases

The Mau breed suffers from a genetic disease - deficiency of the enzyme pyruvate kinase, which causes anemia, sometimes even death. The difficulty lies in the fact that the symptoms of the disease can appear already in adulthood, so when choosing a kitten, you must definitely get acquainted with the pedigree and ask for a health certificate - for the baby himself and his parents.

Animals also suffer from diseases of the respiratory system: they should be protected from strong odors, tobacco smoke and dust. Mau do not tolerate cold well and can catch a cold - they must be kept warm, it is better to take them outside in a special suit.

But most often, Egyptian pets suffer from allergies. If you notice that the body is covered with red spots, then immediately seek help from a veterinarian. He will prescribe treatment and select the correct daily diet.

Reproductive health

The first mating is best done at 10 months of age. It is worth choosing a worthy gentleman in advance - the cat is very independent by nature and will not allow every cat to come to her.

It is better to skip the first two heats; on the third you can start mating. You can determine a cat’s readiness for an important step by its characteristic behavior: the animal becomes very affectionate, constantly rubs against its legs and purrs.

It is important to carry out the first mating before 1.5 years of age - at a later age it will be much more difficult to match a cat with a cat. It is not worth suppressing estrus with hormonal drugs, this will eventually lead to diseases of the reproductive system, and kittens will be born with some kind of disease.

It is recommended to breed animals after a full medical examination by a veterinarian: he will give all the necessary vaccinations to produce strong and healthy offspring.

After the medical examination, you can “introduce” the future parents. Mating an Egyptian Mau cat is a very responsible process; the independent nature of animals can be the reason that nothing will work out. It is important to plan everything.

When placed in a new environment, a female Mau may become frightened. For faster adaptation, she should be surrounded by her favorite toys and familiar things: a bowl for food and water, a tray. The animal should feel that in its new home it has its own corner, where it is cozy and completely safe.

Mating occurs naturally, human intervention should be minimal. Pregnancy is determined in the third week.

Diseases

Since modern representatives of the Egyptian breed were bred using a limited type, hereditary ailments rarely bypass the Mau.

First of all, as breeders warn, the respiratory system of cats suffers. Egyptian Mau are prone to asthma, sinusitis, and allergies, so do not smoke in the room where your pet lives, protect it from harsh scents, and do not let it dig in the dust.

Cardiomyopathy, unfortunately, is also common. It is impossible to predict its development, however, if you notice the first signs of pathology (shortness of breath, fatigue, decreased activity), take your cat to the veterinarian. With medications it will be possible to improve life and prolong it.

Even if your pet lives indoors and does not go outside, it should be vaccinated according to the vaccination schedule and dewormed once a quarter. Castration and sterilization are mandatory if you do not plan to breed. These cats' hormones play too much, so you shouldn't torture them.

Features of feeding and diet

An active, playful cat requires high-quality nutrition that will allow it to replenish lost energy. The daily diet should contain at least 90 kcal per kilogram of animal weight.

Due to the Egyptian Mau's proneness to allergies, only specially formulated premium foods can be fed. If dry food is not your choice, you can stick to natural food. What is recommended for Egyptian women to eat:

• rabbit meat, chicken;
• sea ​​fish without bones;
• offal;
• low-fat cottage cheese, sour cream;
• cereal porridges;
• boiled vegetables.

It is worth taking care of the availability of fresh, clean water. You can use purified bottled water. Cats have inherited from their ancestor, the African wild cat, the instinct to determine whether water is suitable for drinking or not. To do this, the animal wets its paw in a bowl and tastes the liquid.

Results

Reviews about the Egyptian Mau are always positive. These beautiful creatures are gifted with a high level of intelligence, and therefore have special devotion and affection for the person they like. Cats of this breed are carriers of royal manners, and therefore they react extremely negatively to rude and disrespectful attitude towards themselves.

It is worth noting that Mau are one of the best candidates for the role of a furry life friend among domestic cats, who will eagerly wait for you at home and gratefully respond to kindness, love and care. According to reviews from owners, the breed is very peaceful, friendly, and loyal. A funny face only adds charm to the Mau.

Care and maintenance

Due to their short fur, caring for and maintaining the Egyptian Mau is not particularly difficult. Animals do an excellent job of cleaning their own coats, but require periodic brushing with a soft brush.

The exotic breed is incredibly clean; many breeders do without water treatments completely. The exception is exhibitions, when the Mau must look impeccable. It is better to bathe your pet with a special shampoo. After which the cat must be wiped and allowed to dry completely, any drafts must be eliminated.

Just take care of your eyes. Due to their specific structure, they rarely tear. But the ears need to be given special attention - once every 7 days they should be carefully examined and, if necessary, cleaned with a cotton pad soaked in lotion.

Oral hygiene is also important. The cat's teeth are brushed several times a month with toothpaste from a pet store. To do this, use a soft brush or a finger wrapped in a bandage. The claws are trimmed with a nail clipper, and the animal itself cleans the sharp edges using a scratching post - there must be one in the house, otherwise furniture, carpets and curtains will be damaged.

Tips for choosing a kitten

Despite the productive work of Mau breeders around the world, purebred cats and male cats are very rare and only in professional nurseries. If you saw a handsome spotted dog on the market, don’t rush to buy it, almost one hundred percent under the bright color is hidden a yard “Murzik”, for which they want to get a lot of money.

If you have decided to acquire a rare representative of the Mau, contact only special nurseries! Sign up for the queue and wait for the kitten from the future litter.

The cubs are separated from their mother no earlier than 3 months of age, when they do not require care and can feed and walk independently. The kitten must be active, neat and well-fed. The coat should shimmer in the light, the eyes and ears should be clean.

A characteristic feature of the breed is that at two months Egyptian Mau kittens develop fuzzing - long hairs turn them into “porcupines”. But this is not a breed defect, but an intermediate stage in the formation of short hair.

Colors

There are three colors allowed for cats of this breed:

• Smoky. All shades: from black to gray. The undercoat is silvery.
• Bronze. On the belly, the dark color is replaced by a milky color. The tips of the ears and marks on the body are brown, the bridge of the nose is ocher. The fur around the eyes, chin and throat is creamy.
• Silver (various degrees of saturation). The nose, lips and eyes are outlined in dark, as are the tips of the ears. The area around the nostrils, chin and neck are painted white.

The markings can be long, oval or other shapes, but they are clear, with clearly defined boundaries, and contrasting. The letter “M” on the forehead is distinct, the stripes stretch from the bridge of the nose to the forehead, move to the back of the head, and often merge with the stripe on the spine. There are also stripes on the tail: they are numerical and contrasting. The tip of the tail is dark brown or brown.

The strokes on the muzzle begin in the eye area and go along the contour of the cheeks. On the neck is an open necklace. The pattern on the hind legs should be identical, but on the sides it may vary. There are “buttons” on the stomach.

Egyptian Mau, main colors: silver, bronze, smoky