Egyptian Mau Cats for Adoption in Chicago, IL

An Egyptian Mau is a medium-sized, naturally spotted domestic cat breed known for its green eyes, athletic build and loyal temperament. It was developed in the United States from cats imported in the 1950s and resembles spotted cats in ancient Egyptian art. Maus are active, devoted companions that enjoy interactive play and high perches.

Egyptian Mau cats are medium-sized, usually weighing about 7 to 14 pounds as adults, with males larger than females. They stand roughly 7 to 11 inches at the shoulder and look long and muscular rather than heavy. Most reach full size by about 18 months to two years, when their eye color and body have matured.

Yes, Egyptian Maus are usually very friendly and affectionate with the people they know, though many are reserved with strangers. They tend to bond closely with their families, follow them around and greet them with chirps and kneading. Give a newly adopted Mau time to settle, and let visitors wait for the cat to approach them first.

Yes, Egyptian Maus shed, but their short, fine coat usually drops only a light to moderate amount of hair. Shedding can increase seasonally. A weekly combing removes loose hair and reduces hairballs, and most Maus come to enjoy it. Sudden heavy shedding, bald patches or constant grooming are worth a veterinary visit rather than routine brushing.

Egyptian Mau cats typically live about 9 to 15 years, and many indoor Maus with good care reach the upper end or beyond. Sources vary widely on the figure. Keeping a Mau at a healthy weight, encouraging water intake to reduce urinary stone risk and scheduling regular veterinary and dental care all support a long life.

Egyptian Mau is pronounced ee-JIP-shun MOW, with Mau rhyming with cow. Some people say the word with a slightly drawn-out sound, closer to a cat's meow, which reflects its origin. On adoption listings and in breed clubs you will often see the cats simply called Maus.

An Egyptian Mau is a medium-sized, muscular cat with a randomly spotted coat in silver, bronze or smoke. Look for large, slightly almond-shaped gooseberry green eyes, dark mascara lines running from the eyes, a scarab-like M on the forehead and a banded tail. Its hind legs are longer than its front legs, giving it a tiptoe stance.

Mau was the ancient Egyptian word for cat. It is usually explained as imitating a cat's meow, and the word miu or mau appears in Egyptian texts. So the breed's name loosely means Egyptian cat, a nod to the spotted cats depicted in ancient Egyptian art rather than proof of a direct, unbroken line.

No, Egyptian Maus are not generally aggressive. They are loyal and loving with their own people but can be cautious or defensive with strangers, rough handling or sudden changes. A frightened Mau may hide, hiss or swat. Gentle handling, hiding spots and slow introductions usually help, and any sudden aggression deserves a veterinary check for pain.

No, polydactyly is not a trait of the Egyptian Mau. The breed has the usual number of toes, and its standard calls for small, dainty oval feet. Extra toes come from a separate gene that can appear in any cat. A spotted cat with extra toes is far more likely to be a domestic shorthair than a purebred Mau.

Yes, Egyptian Maus need a scratching post, ideally several. Like all cats they scratch to keep claws healthy, stretch and mark territory, and this athletic breed often prefers tall, sturdy posts and cat trees it can climb. Place scratchers near sleeping spots and doorways. Plenty of good options protects furniture without declawing, which veterinarians discourage.

Egyptian Maus are often said to reach about 30 miles per hour, which would make them among the fastest domestic cats. That figure is widely repeated but comes from anecdotal reports rather than careful measurement. Their long hind legs and loose flank skin do allow an unusually long stride, and many Maus love sprinting through the house.

Egyptian Maus are strong jumpers, and many can leap onto counters, doorframes and tall cat trees with ease. There is no reliable measured figure for the breed, but healthy cats in general can jump several times their own height. Provide safe high perches so a Mau can climb without reaching shelves you would rather keep off-limits.

Adopting an Egyptian Mau or a Mau-type cat from a shelter or rescue usually costs about 50 to 250 dollars, often including spaying or neutering, vaccinations and a microchip. Breed rescues may charge somewhat more. Purebred Maus seldom appear in shelters, so checking the listings on this page regularly helps.

Caring for an Egyptian Mau means plenty of interactive play, high perches, a balanced diet and weekly combing. Encourage drinking with a fountain or wet food, since the breed is prone to urinary stones. Brush teeth or offer dental care, keep litter boxes clean and schedule yearly veterinary exams. Most of all, include this devoted cat in daily life.

Train an Egyptian Mau with short, positive sessions using treats, praise or play as rewards. Clicker training works well for this intelligent breed, and many Maus learn tricks, fetch or harness walking. Avoid punishment, which damages trust in a sensitive cat. Redirect unwanted scratching or climbing to approved posts and perches and reward their use.

No, the Egyptian Mau is not proven to be the oldest cat breed. It resembles spotted cats in ancient Egyptian art, but the modern breed was developed in the 1950s from a handful of imported cats, and art resemblance does not show direct descent. Domestic cats overall trace to wildcats in the Near East thousands of years ago.

Egyptian Mau cats are known for being the only naturally spotted domestic breed, with striking gooseberry green eyes and a scarab M on the forehead. They are also famous for their speed and athleticism, their strong devotion to their people, and charming habits such as chirping and wiggling their tails while kneading.

Egyptian Maus are recognized in three colors: silver, bronze and smoke. Silver has charcoal spots on a pale silver coat, bronze has dark brown spots on a warm golden-bronze base, and smoke has black spots on a silvery-gray coat that can be subtle. Solid black and blue Maus can occur, but they are not accepted for showing.

Egyptian Mau cats do well on a complete, balanced commercial cat food with high-quality animal protein, fed in measured portions. Because the breed is prone to urinary stones, many owners include wet food to increase water intake, and a veterinarian may suggest a specific diet if crystals appear. Active Maus may need slightly more calories than sedentary cats.