Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian Mau cat is a loving and playful cat breed. They are known to be extremely clever and enjoy learning tricks and walking on a lead. Enjoying fuss and attention the breed is an ideal family cat. As they are active, Egyptian Mau cats need some stimulus such as toys or companions to play with, especially if they are going to be left on their own for long.

Country of Origin: Egypt/Italy

Mau is the Egyptian word for cat and bears a striking resemblance to the statuesque spotted cats depicted in Ancient Egyptian art. The breed originates from a spotted cat found in Cairo that is said to have been taken to Rome in 1953 by a Russian princess. She bred several spotted cats in Italy and later moved to North America where breeders developed the modern Mau. The characteristic markings on its head are said to resemble the scarab beetle held sacred by Ancient Egyptians.

Every cat is unique and each has their own particular likes, dislikes, and needs when it comes to food. However, cats are carnivores and every cat must obtain 41 different and specific nutrients from their food. The proportion of these nutrients will vary depending on age, lifestyle, and overall health. So it's not surprising that a growing, energetic kitten needs a different balance of nutrients in her diet than a less active senior cat. Other considerations to bear in mind are feeding the right quantity of food to maintain 'ideal body condition' in accordance with feeding guidelines and catering to individual preference regarding wet or dry food recipes.

Health and common issues

The Egyptian Mau cat is not a common breed and at present there is no information on significant health problems.

Best cat breeds for children

While this breed is not widely recognised as one of the best breeds for children, all cats are different and with the proper familiarisation may still be able to live with children.