Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau is a naturally spotted domestic cat, and its name is often said to mean cat in the language of the ancient Egyptians. The modern breed took shape in the middle of the twentieth century. The coat is short, smooth and silky, with clear spots, the eyes are often a pale green, and the body is medium-sized, lean and muscular. Adults typically weigh around 2.5 to 5 kilograms. Maus are known as active and fast, and they enjoy play and climbing. They usually bond strongly with their own family, although they can be reserved with strangers. Life expectancy is typically around 12 to 16 years.

Egyptian Mau: how old in human years?

2.5–5 kgWeight
12–16 yrsLife expectancy

Bombay

FIFe category: Category III — Shorthair
Recognition: Recognised
FIFe: MAU
Country of origin: Egypt

Energy level

4/5
Playfulness

4/5
Family friendly

3/5
Grooming need

1/5

At a glance

Weight

Males 3.5–5 kg

Females 2.5–4 kg

Life expectancy

12–16 yrs

Coat

smooth (short)

Temperament & Family Life

Egyptian Mau: average score for sociability and trainability is moderate.

Family friendly 3/5
Good with children 3/5
Good with dogs 3/5
Friendly with strangers 2/5
Intelligence 4/5
Trainability 3/5

Activity & Living Space

Egyptian Mau: average score for activity and living space is high.

Energy level 4/5
Playfulness 4/5
Hunting instinct 4/5
Apartment friendly 4/5

Personality & Communication

Egyptian Mau: average score for personality and communication is moderate.

Affection 4/5
Independence 3/5
Vocality 3/5

Grooming & Shedding

Egyptian Mau: grooming and shedding demands are low.

Shedding 2/5
Grooming need 1/5

The 1–5 trait scores are editorial estimates, not measurements. Every cat is an individual, so treat them as a general guide.

Living with the Egyptian Mau

At home an Egyptian Mau trains like a sprinter: a dash down the hall, a leap onto the wardrobe, a moment's stillness on the windowsill, and then again. The hunting drive is strong, so a feather wand, a dancing spot of light or birds fluttering past the window hold its attention for a long time; it needs a tall cat tree and a solid scratching post.

A Mau bonds strongly with its own people and shows them a lot of affection, but it opens up to strangers slowly: visitors are more likely to see it from under the bed than on their lap. It gets on with children who are calm and understand that a cat is not a toy, and it accepts a dog or another cat gradually, when the introduction is given time.

Its voice is melodious, all chirps and murmurs, and it will answer when you talk to it. It can spend time alone if it has things to do, and flat life suits it as long as there is room to run off its energy.

Grooming and coat

The Egyptian Mau's coat is short, smooth and fine; it sheds little and asks for little care. Once a week, run a rubber mitt or simply a damp palm over it: the loose hair comes away and the spots stand out even more against the glossy ground colour.

That short session is a good moment to check everything else. Look at the large green eyes for clearness and discharge, inside the ears for dirt or smell, and at the skin for scabs or redness. A Mau does not always enjoy being handled for long, so keep it brief and regular.

How to do it:

By age:

Health and possible conditions

Under the spotted coat is a lean, muscular cat built for sprinting: an Egyptian Mau can cross the room before you have turned your head. Two conditions are linked to the breed, bladder stones and dental disease, and a Mau lives twelve to sixteen years. Both are easier to catch when you know what to look for, and regular vet check-ups help find them early.

This is general information, not veterinary advice. For your own cat's health, tests and treatment, see a vet.

Bladder stones

Hard mineral stones form in the bladder and irritate its lining, so the cat keeps going to the tray, passes small amounts, and there may be blood in the urine. An Egyptian Mau is a reserved cat that tends to hide discomfort, so watch the litter tray closely. If the cat strains to pass urine and nothing comes out, it needs a vet immediately.
Dental disease

Plaque and tartar inflame the gums until the mouth is sore. An Egyptian Mau may go on eating even when it hurts, so the clues are quieter: bad breath, drooling, chewing on one side. Let a vet look at the teeth at the yearly check-up.

Cheapest cat food per kg

This list is the same on every cat breed page. Shops do not label cat food by breed, so it simply shows the cheapest cat food we track per kilogram. Check the label for your cat's age and health needs. Prices are updated daily.

≈ 60 g of dry food a day, from €3,42 a month For a neutered, normally active 3,8 kg cat. Calculate for your cat