How to Select an Egyptian Mau

The Egyptian mau bears a remarkable resemblance to ancient Egyptian cats depicted in ancient paintings. Mau is the Egyptian word for cat, and the mau's one of the few breeds of domestic cat with natural spots.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Cat Beds
• Cat Carriers
• Cat Collars
• Cat Combs/brushes
• Cat Dishes
• Cat Foods
• Cat Litters
• Cat Scratchers
• Cat Shampoos
• Cat Toys
• Cat Treats
• Litter Boxes

1. Find a breeder who will guarantee that your Egyptian mau is healthy and does not have feline leukemia virus (FeLv) or feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV).

2. Expect to pay from $300 to $600 for an Egyptian mau, and up to $1,000, or even more, for top breeders and show cats.

3. Pick up and hold the cat or kitten to check for good muscle tone. Egyptian maus have slender, somewhat athletic bodies.

4. Make sure the cat isn't sneezing or sniffling, that its gooseberry green eyes have no discharge and its ears are clean and pink inside.

5. Examine the cat's fur, which should be short and thick, and free of dry flaky skin or bald patches.

6. Check for fleas behind its ears and at the base of the tail. Flea dirt, which looks like black sand, is a sure sign.

7. Get a sales agreement from the breeder with a written health guarantee, and take your Egyptian mau to your own veterinarian as soon as possible to confirm that it's healthy.

8. Take the kitten home when it is between 12 and 16 weeks of age. Responsible breeders will offer kittens in this age range.

Tips & Warnings

• Their spotted tabby pattern makes Egyptian maus resemble wild cats, but they're fully domesticated.
• Egyptian maus are active and athletic.
• Maus can be silver, bronze, smoke and black - black is the only color not eligible for showing.
• Plan to keep your Egyptian mau inside. Vets say it's the best way to keep any cat happy and disease free.

[dragonfairy70]

on 12/2/2006 My Mau is named Tigger and he is a Mau and Maine Coon cross. He is sweet and loving. He is quiter than his sister who is like a maine coon very vocal. He doesn't talk and much and his voice is softer. He likes to cuddle and also likes to be near me where he can watch me.