Egyptian Mau

The sprinter of the Nile

Also known as: Mau · Egyptian Mau cat · Egyptian cat · Egyptian spotted cat

Egyptian Mau, a medium cat from Egypt (photo 2)

Egyptian Mau, a medium cat from Egypt (photo 3)

Egyptian Mau, a medium cat from Egypt (photo 4)

Egyptian Mau, a medium cat from Egypt (photo 5)

Egyptian Mau, a medium cat from Egypt (photo 6)

Photos: Achet Aton (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Nickolas Titkov from Moscow, Russian Federation (CC BY-SA 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

Breed profile

23–30 cm(9–12 in)Height at the shoulder

2.5–5 kg(6–11 lb)Adult weight

12–16 yearsLife expectancy

45 min of play a dayDaily play

GroupWild-looking

OriginEgypt / Italy

SizeMedium

CoatShort, fine and silky

ColoursSilver, bronze and smoke, always spotted; gooseberry green eyes

HypoallergenicNo

Breed dates from1956

Estimated cost in Spain*€860–1,190 a year

* An estimate for Spain in 2026 (food, litter, vet and insurance), based on the size, grooming and health needs of the breed, not on measured costs of individual cats.

What it is like

It is one of the few domestic cats with natural spotting, without modern crosses to wild cats. The breed as it is today is owed to the exiled Russian princess Natalia Troubetzkoy, who took Maus from Cairo to Italy in the 1950s and to the United States in 1956. It has an M- or scarab-shaped mark on its forehead, very expressive green eyes and a flap of skin running from the flank to the hind knee that allows long strides: it is one of the fastest cats there is. In character it is loyal and very attached to its family, but reserved with strangers and sensitive to change and noise.

Coat colours and patterns

Colours and patterns that are common or accepted in this breed. Each page explains where the colour comes from, the myths around it and other breeds that have it.

Spotted tabby Pattern · Spotted tabby, Spotted cat

Silver tabby Colour and pattern · Silver tabby, Silver cat

Smoke Colour · Smoke, Black smoke

All cat coat colours and patterns →

Temperament

LoyalFastSensitiveReserved

Activity

4/5

With children

4/5

With dogs

3/5

With other cats

3/5

Ease of learning

4/5

How vocalless is better

3/5

Sheddingless is better

2/5

Brushing needsless is better

1/5

Health robustness

3/5

Indoor and flat life

4/5

Copes with being alone

2/5

For first-time owners

3/5

the more, the better the less, the better

Care

Minimal coat care. It needs running and hunting play: it loves wand toys and toys that move fast. Being sensitive, it does best in a calm home with stable routines and slow introductions to visitors and other animals. Watch its weight and temperature: it does not cope well with cold. It likes to watch from above, and a shelf by the window makes it feel safe. Take care with open doors and balconies, because it is extremely fast.

Health

A breed with low genetic diversity. Pyruvate kinase deficiency (PK-def, testable), cardiomyopathy, urolithiasis and, in some lines, cases of spongiform degeneration of the nervous system have been described. Ask the breeder for the parents' PK-def results and about any history of neurological or heart problems.

General information about tendencies in the breed, not a diagnosis. Any symptom should be checked by your vet.

Health problems to watch for

These are described more often in this breed. It does not mean a Egyptian Mau will have them, nor that a moggy is free of them: they are worth knowing about and discussing with your vet.

Inherited breed conditions Pyruvate kinase deficiency An inherited defect of the red blood cells, which have a shorter life and break down. Inherited

The A to Z of cat diseases →

Fun facts

“Mau” meant cat in ancient Egyptian.

It is credited with running at up to 48 km/h (30 mph), a figure that has not been properly measured but places it among the fastest cats.

Natalia Troubetzkoy took three Maus called Baba, Liza and Jojo to the United States.

When it is happy it wags its tail and “dances” on its hind legs.

Frequently asked questions

How big does a Egyptian Mau get?

An adult Egyptian Mau usually weighs 2.5–5 kg (6–11 lb) and stands about 23–30 cm (9–12 in) at the shoulder, which makes it a medium cat.

How long does a Egyptian Mau live?

Its usual life expectancy is 12–16 years. Living indoors, being neutered and having regular vet check-ups make the biggest difference.

Is the Egyptian Mau hypoallergenic?

No. It produces the usual cat allergens. If someone at home is allergic, spend time with the breed before deciding and talk to an allergist.

Is the Egyptian Mau good with children?

Usually yes: it tends to be patient and sociable with children. As with any cat, teach children to let it walk away when it has had enough.

How much play does a Egyptian Mau need?

As a guide, 45 min of play a day. Its activity score is 4 out of 5: short daily play sessions with a wand toy work better than one long one.