Egyptian cats

Egyptian cats are closely related to the history of the country, whose name they are named. After all, it is believed that just there they were domesticated. And according to some, they first appeared in Egypt, being a hybrid, obtained from crossing a reed cat and an African-European cat.

Considering the "good genius" of any dwelling, Egyptian cats were the keepers of this hearth, and when they died their natural death, the family was declared mourning, and all its members cut their hair. For animals, special cemeteries were provided, where funerals were held with special honors. All this honor and respect are due to the fact that Egypt, being an agrarian state, suffered great disasters from rodents. And it was the cats who helped save the harvest from them. Mummies of these pets have been found even in the tombs of some pharaohs. And today they can be found in large numbers on narrow streets of cities.

About four thousand years ago, Egyptian cats were much larger than the current, and at first they were quite wild. However, the Egyptians, apparently, selected the most affectionate representatives, received from them offspring and left them at home, gradually turning them into domestic ones.

The researchers found that during the period of domestication, Egyptian cats also underwent some anatomical changes - for example, their brain became smaller, especially those areas that were responsible for alertness. The adrenal glands producing adrenaline also decreased, and so today the cat is no longer as aggressive and explosive as it was in those days.

The word "mau" means a cat in Arabic. It is said that today's representatives of these mustachioed and clawed pets are the ancestors of Egyptian ones, from which a new Egyptian breed of cats began to count, having average sizes, a very graceful body and spotted color. By nature, these purring creatures are very energetic, mobile, very fond of playing and always in the company of their master, but they do not welcome outsiders, showing them cautiousness and restraint.

The Egyptian Mau cat breed in Europe has appeared since 1956, when one of the cats imported from Egypt was crossed with a local cat. They are balanced, reserved and friendly animals that are very easy to learn. Mau will perfectly get along with those people who like to spend most of their time at home with their families. They are happy to lie on their knees with their owners, get on well with the children. Their distinctive feature is the spotted skin, which makes them look like young leopard cubs, as well as the "scarab" pattern on the head, the M-shaped figure on the forehead and the inverted W between the ears. Another sign of the breed is two long strips from the cheekbones to the eyes. The coat has three different hues - tin, smoky and bronze.

When you plant a cat Egyptian Mau breed should always take into account the fact that they do not adapt well to the winter cold - because their ancestors from time immemorial lived in countries with a hot climate, so those who still decided to purchase them, must be sure to monitor their health and In the off-season, and in winter.

Today, the representatives of this breed are not very common in Europe, they are mostly common in Germany, Holland, France and Italy. But in the US, the Mau is very popular.

Being a short-haired breed, mau is very fond of when they are courted. Their wool is thin enough, so it is quite easy for a master to do it. In order for your cat's fur to shine, it is necessary to regularly bathe and feed it with special vitamins that help strengthen the teeth and the most important weapon of cats - claws.